What an incredible battle witnessed today at Croke Park. After Galway’s big win over Cork, we needed a competitive second semi-final. Mission accomplished.
Clare to a man delivered a performance of passion, determination, grit and work rate. The Banner were the dominant team in the opening half, winning all the middle third battles and exposing Limerick in the full back line.
Limerick were rattled early summed up by two passages of play. Sean Finn aimless medium range pass out over the sideline. Dan Morrissey then over hitting a regulation pass to Nicky Quaid. Clare saw the vulnerability and went for the throat.
Tony Kelly profited from a dominant aerial display from Peter Duggan. The Clooney-Quin clubman was in imperious form, sending over a sensational score from the sideline and creating the space for the mercurial Kelly to score at will.
Kelly scored four points in the opening half. Croke Park and Tony Kelly excellence go hand in hand. Clare’s middle third growing in confidence. John Conlon in midfield nullified Darragh O’Donovan and emptied the tank for the cause until subbed in the third quarter.
Limerick were ragged throughout. The shooting selection again under the microscope. 47% shooting proficiency and still winning this semi-final is getting out of Alcatraz prison not just jail. Several Limerick players struggled to make telling contributions.
Clare perhaps should have been up more than five points at half-time. Limerick regrouped and gradually eroded the five point lead despite some poor shot selection. Clare living off frees from Tyler Walsh to keep the scoreboard ticking over until a massive turning point.
Peter Duggan once again overpowering a Limerick defender and bearing down on goal. Nicky Quaid sticking out the leg to deny the goalscoring opportunity as Peter Duggan scooped the sliothar over the Effin netminder. Ball out of possession and a yellow card issued.
Clare players up in arms. Barry Nash had put the ball into the net. No black card as the yellow was issued. Tony Kelly though laser focused and his penalty crashed into the net. A six point gap established but Clare’s work rate and discipline deteriorated.
Limerick had already called ashore Aaron Gillane who showed flashes of brilliance. It is quite clear that Gillane and O’Brien in the full forward line as a partnership lacks cohesion and clarity. Limerick looked to Gearoid Hegarty from primary possession.
Hegarty was immense throughout but the final quarter was all about the St. Patrick’s clubman. He won ball after ball, winning frees for Aidan O’Connor and Diarmuid Byrnes to convert. A six point lead now reduced to two points despite more shot selection woe.
Clare unable to win primary possession as Limerick’s middle third improved with the introduction of Cian Lynch. The orchestration of play and movement from Lynch cannot be underestimated. The Limerick players in the middle third significantly improved.
Limerick’s game winning goal was a sensational effort given the shot selection issues throughout this afternoon. The interchange of passes between Lynch, Hayes, Morrissey to the fore. Adam English with an excellent diagonal pass to O’Connor.
O’Connor along with English were prominent second half performers for Limerick. The young prospects continue to probe and got their reward. The finish was emphatic as Darragh Lohan’s hurley in the air was Clare resignation that this fixture had turned.
The Banner only scored 1-3 in the second half and were guilty themselves of some poor shot selections in the final quarter. O’Connor’s goal was the dagger to the heart.
Clare unable to secure primary ball. Limerick now the dominant force down the stretch as the middle third of Limerick were not to be denied.
Byrnes with a wide from a placed ball but Limerick did not panic. A sequence of play where the player best placed to score was given the ball. Diarmuid Ryan committing the foul. O’Connor with the regulation free.
The Banner had one more moment. Peter Duggan with a speculative effort which had Limerick fans and players hearts in their mouths.
Nicky Quaid collecting the ball on the second attempt. Hayes completing the clearance. Clare’s subsequent sideline was won by Limerick and that was the game.
Clare could do no more. Limerick won despite clear struggles but the excitement and intensity of this fixture was a pleasure to witness.
Clare contributed massively to this contest, widely dismissed by the media cohorts before this fixture. Some late misses in the final quarter and the energy level dips allowed Limerick to pounce late.
Limerick acknowledged relief in the postgame comments. The players somehow got over the line. The shooting inaccuracy will be a focal point along with shape issues defensively in the opening half where Clare exposed the full back line frequently.
This group of players and management though do not know when they are beaten. They knew if they kept going and continued to execute the process that a goal chance would emerge. Step forward Adam English and Aidan O’Connor to combine to break Clare hearts.
Galway will provide significant challenges for Limerick. Rabbitte in full forward will need to be handled.
Does Dan Morrissey retain his place or will Limerick look to Mike Casey to make an impact? Cian Lynch is the pivotal force for Limerick’s middle third, his fitness will be required.
Limerick though are experienced when it comes to All Ireland SHC finals. They know what to focus on and how to handle the media and fan frenzy heading into July 19th.
The 2018 final rematch is set but Limerick will enjoy this late dramatic win. A second consecutive weekend where Limerick have broken a near neighbor heart.
Scorers for Limerick
A. O’Connor (1-9, 0-8 frees); D. Byrnes (0-3, 2 frees); C. O’Neill, P. Casey (0-2 each); S. O’Brien, A. Gillane, K. Hayes, B. Nash, A. English (0-1 each).
Scorers for Clare
T. Kelly (1-5, 1-0 pen); M. Rodgers (0-7, 6 frees); P. Duggan (0-3); R. Taylor (0-2); C. Malone, S. O’Donnell (0-1 each).
Limerick
N. Quaid; S. Finn, D. Morrissey, B. Nash; D. Byrnes, W. O’Donoghue (c), K. Hayes; A. English, D. O’Donovan; G. Hegarty, C. O’Neill, A. O’Connor; P. Casey, A. Gillane, S. O’Brien.
Subs for Limerick
T. Morrissey for G. Hegarty (temp, 34-36); D. Reidy for D. O’Donovan (48); T. Morrissey for A. Gillane (52); C. Lynch for C. O’Neill (57); M. Casey for D. Morrissey (63); F. Fitzgerald for P. Casey (70+5).
Clare
E. Quilligan; D. Lohan, D. McInerney, A. Hogan; N. O’Farrell, D. Ryan, C. Cleary; J. Conlon, R. Taylor; C. Malone, P. Duggan, S. Rynne; T. Kelly (c), S. O’Donnell, M. Rodgers.
Subs for Clare
C. Galvin for C. Cleary (46); D. Stritch for J. Conlon (48); I. Galvin for M. Rodgers (62); D. Fitzgerald for S. Rynne (63); D. Reidy for D. Stritch (inj 69).
Referee
T. Walsh (Waterford).