Limerick 1-23 Clare 1-22
Limerick have completed a historic five-in-a-row in Munster after holding off Clare once again.
Their one-point win in front of 43,756 at the TUS Gaelic Grounds sees them emulate Cork (1975-79 and 1982-86) by stringing five successive titles together.
Aaron Gillane’s second half goal swung the match back in Limerick’s favour after Clare had led by three points at the break and though the All-Ireland champions went five clear after that, they were reeled in coming down the stretch but the challengers ultimately fell just short.
READ MORE: Limerick v Clare score recap and result
It wasn’t without controversy, however, with referee Liam Gordon having to be escorted off the pitch at the final whistle after failing to award what appeared to be an obvious free in front of the Limerick posts for Clare after Peter Casey shouldered Tony Kelly into the chest.
It meant that there would be no extra time, as was the case in last year's final between the counties, on this occasion as the final whistle sounded seconds later.
Limerick once again started without two-time Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch, as per the published line-up, though Cathal O’Neill and Peter Casey didn’t start either with David Reidy and Graeme Mulcahy surprise replacements.
Clare, as expected, were without full-back Conor Cleary as Cian Nolan and with Rory Hayes moving to the edge of the square to police Seamus Flanagan, the deficit in physicality looked like it could be an issue for the Banner, particularly when Flanagan won an early free, converted by Gillane.
But it was Gillane who was their main attacking threat for the rest of the first half and once Clare settled, the scores came easier for them.
After Limerick hit the first two points, Clare responded with four on the spin and led by a couple of points for the majority of the half until Limerick hit back through Gillane (free) and Kyle Hayes to draw level at 0-10 each approaching half-time.
The first big moment of the game arrived when Kelly’s point effort came back off the post and fell kindly for Mark Rodgers, who evaded Dan Morrissey to hit the game’s opening goal in the 31st minute.
Clare had chances to establish daylight before the break, the most notable of which fell to Mark Rodgers, with his effort from a tight angle drawing a good save from Nickie Quaid and Limerick remained in touch as they trailed 1-11 to 0-11 at half-time.
Limerick started the second half with greater intent and Gillane put them back in front with an expertly finished goal in the 44th minute as he tormented Nolan and with Clare entering a 10-minute scoring lull and Kelly’s radar deserting him, the advantage stretched to 1-19 to 1-14 by the 54th minute.
Clare worked their way back into it, however, with David Fitzgerald coming into the game and Ian Galvin making an impact off the bench though errant shooting from Brian Lohan’s side meant that they failed to draw level, with Limerick just managing to keep their noses in front in a dramatic finish.
LIMERICK: Nickie QUAID; Dan MORRISSEY, Mike CASEY, Barry NASH; Diarmaid BYRNES, Declan HANNON, Kyle HAYES (0-1); Darragh O’DONOVAN (0-1), William O’DONOGHUE; Gearoid HEGARTY (0-1), David REIDY (0-3), Tom MORRISSEY (0-3); Aaron GILLANE (1-11, 0-8f), Seamus FLANAGAN, Graeme Mulcahy.
Subs: Peter Casey for Mulcahy (47), Colin Morrissey for Hannon (55), Richie English for Casey (58), Cathal O’Neill (0-2) for Tom Morrissey (58), Adam English (0-1) for O’Donovan (62, blood), English for Flanagan (65).
CLARE: Eibhear QUILLIGAN; Adam HOGAN, Rory HAYES, Cian NOLAN; Diarmuid RYAN (0-1), John CONLON, David McINERNEY; Ryan TAYLOR (0-1), Cathal MALONE (0-1); David FITZGERALD (0-2), Shane O’DONNELL (0-2), Tony KELLY (0-6, 0-2f); Aidan McCARTHY (1-4, 0-3f), Peter DUGGAN, Mark RODGERS (1-2).
Subs: Shane Meehan for McCarthy (45), Seadna Morey for Nolan (52), Aron Shanagher (0-1) for Duggan (57), Ian Galvin (0-2) for Meehan (65), Paul Flanagan for Hayes (68).
REFEREE: Liam Gordon (Galway).
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