Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 1
Limerick’s Comeback Stuns Clare
Limerick showcased their champion’s resilience with a remarkable twelve-point turnaround to defeat Clare and secure two valuable opening points in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship. A crowd of 20,055 at Cusack Park witnessed an intense contest as Clare’s nine-point lead in the final quarter was quickly overturned by Limerick’s explosive three-goal rally.
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
Limerick’s Remarkable Turnaround
Clare appeared on course for a home victory as they surged nine points ahead with 15 minutes left. However, Limerick staged a stunning comeback, sparked by Diarmaid Byrnes’ long-range free that found the top corner of the net. This set the stage for further goals from Donnacha Ó Dalaigh and Aaron Gillane, orchestrated by Gearoid Hegarty, to secure an improbable win.
Clare’s Strong Start Falters
Despite an early charge from Limerick, Clare settled into the game, led by Aidan McCarthy’s impeccable freetaking and a goal from Shane O’Donnell, giving them a halftime lead of 1-10 to 0-08. Clare continued to dominate early in the second half, extending their lead to nine points.
Limerick’s Timely Goals
With just ten minutes left, Limerick’s comeback began with Byrnes’ unexpected goal. This was followed by further goals from Ó Dalaigh and Gillane, capitalizing on Clare’s defensive lapses and securing Limerick’s victory.
Conclusion
Clare will lament their missed opportunities and the manner in which they let the game slip away. Limerick’s championship experience and resilience shone through in the face of adversity, earning them a hard-fought win and their first victory at Cusack Park in 34 years. This impressive comeback sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting Munster Senior Hurling Championship.
John Kiely after match interview pic.twitter.com/Np1jkoxJTv
— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) April 21, 2024
Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane (1-5, 5f); Donnacha Ó Dalaigh (1-1); Gearoid Hegarty (0-3); Diarmaid Byrnes (1-0f); Cathal O’Neill, David Reidy (0-2 each); Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch (0-1 each)
Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy (1-10, 8f); David Fitzgerald, Mark Rodgers, Tony Kelly (f) (0-2 each); Shane O’Donnell, Seadna Morey (0-1 each)
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Mike Casey, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Kyle Hayes: William O’Donoghue, Cian Lynch; Gearoid Hegarty, Tom Morrissey, Cathal O’Neill; Seamus Flanagan, Aaron Gillane, David Reidy
Subs: Sean Finn for Casey (5, inj), Donnacha Ó Dalaigh for Flanagan (45), Conor Boylan for T. Morrissey (48), Adam English for O’Donoghue (59), Aidan O’Connor for Gillane (67)
CLARE: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; Darragh Lohan, Cathal Malone; David Fitzgerald, David Reidy, Peter Duggan; Aidan McCarthy, Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers
Subs: Seadna Morey for Lohan (HT), Tony Kelly for Reidy (54), Paul Flanagan for Hayes (58), Shane Meehan for Rodgers (62), Aron Shanagher for Fitzgerald (69)
