The Limerick Minor Footballers travel to Clare in crucial Munster Phase One clash

Limerick have edged the recent contests at the grade, winning in each of the last two meetings including twelve months ago.

Limerick’s season is on the line this evening as they take on Clare in the second round of Phase 1 of the Munster Minor Football Championship in Miltown Malbay.

A defeat for Limerick would signal the end of their season with a game to spare should Tipperary overcome Waterford in the evening’s other clash.

The Shannonsiders were beaten by seven in their opener against Tipperary last Thursday and must now overcome Clare to prolong their phase 1 final hopes.

The game will be streamed live by Munster GAA TV from 7pm.

However, a win this evening would put them in pole position to do so as two wins from their final pair of games should be enough to return to the final where they were beaten by Tipperary in 2022.

Indeed, last year Limerick were defeated by the Premier before rebounding with successive wins over Clare and Waterford to qualify for the final where Tipperary once again got the upper hand.

John Ryan’s side will once more have to do without the services of team captain Aidan O’Shea who missed the first game through injury. The Cappagh native is the only remaining member from last year’s team. In his place, Evan Curry will once again captain the side with the Athea man in impressive form with 0-4 in the defeat to Tipp.

Ryan has made four changes to the team that were bested last week with Callum Buckley, James Hunt, Darragh Hogan and Andrew Lyons coming into the XV as Kieran O’Kelly, Kevin Morrow, Ross Allen and Ronan O’Connell drop out.

In their opening contest, Clare were impressive 3-12 to 0-8 winners in Waterford, Gearoidf Barry and Diarmuid McMahon bagging the goals.

Limerick have edged the recent contests at the grade, winning in each of the last two meetings including twelve months ago. Prior to the 2021 victory, Clare had won nine successive meetings at the grade.

It will be a tall ask but the learnings from the Tipperary defeat should stand to Ryan’s youthful squad in this make or break contest.

Watch Clare v Limerick Live

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