Clare minor loses out to Limerick

LIMERICK made it two wins from two in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship after seeing off Clare by a 2-20 to 0-22 scoreline at the TUS Gaelic Grounds this evening.

Goals in either half by Sean Duff and Robert O'Farrell saw Evan Loftus the four-point win ahead of a three-week break before they play their next game against Tipperary.

Duff's goal arrived after three minutes and it put Limerick into a lead they were never to relinquish. Six first half Darren Collopy frees helped Limerick to a 1-13 to 0-12 half-time lead but it was a much tighter game in the second half.

Led by Árdscoil Ris forward Mark O'Brien, Clare were a different animal in the second half and kept Limerick scoreless for the first seven minutes of the second half but crucially hit three wides.

Limerick took full advantage when O'Farrell burst through the Banner defence and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. 

Clare did bring the Limerick from seven back to one, however, the impact of Patrick Kearney helped the home side over the line. The Adare youngster scored two late points to help Limerick to victory.

Scorers - Limerick: Darren Collopy 0-10 (9 frees), Hugh Flanagan 0-5, Sean Duff and Robert O'Farrell 1-0 each, Patrick Kearney 0-2, Tadgh Boddy, Dara Ferland and Jack Cosgrave (1 free) 0-1 each.

Scorers - Clare: Mark O'Brien 0-8 (7 frees), Sean Arthur,  Fred Hegarty (1 free) and Michael Collins 0-3 each Jack Mescall 0-2, Ogie Fanning, Michael Power and James Hegarty (1 free) 0-1 (1 free), 

LIMERICK: Joe Fitzgerald (Kildimo-Pallaskenry); John O Keeffe (Na Piarsaigh), Conor Bickford (Ahane), Sean Morrissey (Dromin-Athlacca); Jack Cosgrove (Ahane), Sean Casey (Bruff), Cian Scully (Monaleen); Diarmuid Lyons (Newcastle West), Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen); Robert O Farrell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Dara Ferland (Monaleen), Tádgh Boddy (Bruff); Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane), Sean Duff (Mungret St Pauls), Darren Collopy (Murroe-Boher).

Subs: Michael Leo (Knockainey) for Lyons (45 mins), Patrick Kearney (Adare) for Duff (47 mins), Darragh Gleeson (Adare) for Cosgrove (56 mins), Oisin Holmes for O'Farrell (59 mins).

CLARE: Mark Sheedy (Sixmilebridge); Eoghan Gunning (Broadford), Ronan Keane (Killanena), Eoin Carey (Cratloe); Matthew O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge), Mark O’Connor (Doora-Barefield), Jamie Moylan (Cratloe); Ogie Fanning (Doora-Barefield), Ronan Kirby (The Banner); Michael Collins (Clonlara), Fred Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona), Sean Arthur (Newmarket on Fergus); Jack Mescal (Inagh-Kilnamona), Marc O’Brien (Cratloe), Michael Power (Newmarket on Fergus).

Subs: James Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona) for O'Connor (23 mins), Harry Doherty (Clarecastle) for Kilroy (h-t), Emmet Mulcahy (Tulla) for Fanning (43 mins), Eoin Begley (Clonlara) for Mescall (45 mins), Conor Ralph (Clarecastle) for F Hegarty (51 mins).

Referee: Seaghan Walsh (Waterford)