Munster SHC: Clare 1-18 Limerick 3-15
Clare will have to take the hard road once again if they are to get back to another Munster final after an opening round loss to Limerick in Cusack Park.
It might be a cliché, but goals won the game as the All Ireland champions raided for three green flags in a six minute spell to turn a 9 point deficit into a three point win.
The Banner defence will be disappointed with the manner of the goals, with all three being in the preventable category.
It was rough justice on a Clare side who led by 1-16 to 0-13 after 60 minutes, and were the more clinical side for the vast majority of the contest.
Aidan McCarthy, who finished with a personal tally of 1-10, raided for the opening goal of the game on the half hour mark, and it helped Clare lead by 1-10 to 0-8 at the break.
Limerick’s traditional third quarter burst wasn’t allowed to materialise, with Clare instead looking like they were kicking for home by winning that period by 0-6 to 0-5.
Diarmaid Byrne’s long range effort somehow dropped to the net on the 60th minute, with goals following from Aaron Gillane and Donnacha O’Dalaigh to see Limerick lead by 3-14 to 1-16.
Tony Kelly marked his 2024 bow by landing Clare’s next two scores, but the goal that was needed to earn a share of the spoils never arrived.
Clare now face a trip to Pairc ui Chaoimh next Sunday afternoon where Brian Lohan’s side need to win against Cork in order to get their season back on track
FULL-TIME HIGHLIGHTS
Limerick get off to a winning start in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship at Cusack Park. @LimerickCLG – 3-15 (24) @GaaClare – 1-18 (21) #GAANOW brings you the best of the action. pic.twitter.com/EccETlxeKP
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 21, 2024
