On This Day: Limerick outlast Clare in League quarter-final after free competition

March 19

On this day three years ago, Limerick needed a free-taking shoot out to beat Clare in the League quarter-final.

In 2014, the U21 Footballers fell to Cork in Pairc Ui Rinn.

2018

Limerick moved into the League semi-final after beating Clare in a free-taking shoot out after the sides finished level at 4-21 to 0-33 after extra-time.

The Banner dominated the opening half in the Gaelic Grounds, as they shot into a 0-11 to 0-2 lead. Aaron Gillane got the first gol of the game to drag Limerick back to life and at the half the deficit was back to 0-14 to 1-8.

Gillane had four frees on the restart to bring them within one and his second goal, had Limerick ahead for the first time.

Peter Duggan, who had 0-15 on the day, notched a couple to pull Clare ahead but Pat Ryan’s goal moved Limerick clear once more.

Duggan, again grabbed a couple to pull Clare ahead but Colin Ryan sent the game to extra-time with a sideline late on.

Tony Kelly and John Conlon score’s had Clare three ahead in ET but Diarmuid Byrne’s late free sent it to another period of extra-time.

There was nothing to separate the teams at the end of the second period of extra-time as it finished 4-21 to 0-33.

Thus, the game went to a free-taking competition from the 65′.

For Limerick, Aaron Gillane, Colin Ryan, Diarmaid Byrnes, David Reidy and Tom Morrissey all struck over their first efforts with Peter Duggan, Niall Deasy, David Reidy, Ian Galvin and Jamie Shanahan setting the tone for the Banner.

In sudden death, Duggan and Gillane exchanged scores before Deasy became the first man to miss on the 13th attempt.

Colin Ryan stepped up and made no mistake to send Limerick into the League semi-final after an absorbing contest.

2014

Four in a row seeking Cork put Limerick to the sword in their Munster U21 Football semi-final, winning out 3-15 to 0-8.

Mark Sugrue had Cork’s first goal after 10 minutes to move them 1-3 to 0-1 clear but points from Danny Neville and Kevin Moore had the gap back to a goal.

But quickfire goals from Alan Cadogan and Dan MacEoin had them 3-3 to 0-4 ahead and at the break the gap was 10 points.

Limerick only managed two more points in the second half as Cork cruised to victory.

The Cork goalscorers proved the difference with MacEoin, Cadogan and Sugrue notching 3-11 between them.