Clare 0-18 Limerick 0-18
Clare and Limerick played out a stalemate in Ennis as the All-Ireland champions finally got off the mark in this year’s Allianz Hurling League.
With results elsewhere in Division 1A over the weekend, the match was effectively reduced to a dead rubber in terms of League progression with both teams too far back to claim a semi-final spot, though Limerick need a result against Offaly in two weeks time to avoid a relegation play-off.
For the third game running Limerick finished with 14 players as Aaron Gillane was sent off for two bookable offences late in the game, while Clare’s Jack Browne joined him shortly afterwards, also for two yellows.
Limerick fielded a stronger selection after their heavy home defeat to Cork last weekend with Barry Nash, Richie English, Diarmaid Byrnes, William O’Donoghue and Gillane restored to the starting line-up along with Gearoid Hegarty after his one-match ban.
They quickly established a three-point lead within the opening five minutes and held Clare at arm’s reach for the majority of the first half, though the game failed to ignite as a contest with more than half of the scores in the opening 35-plus minutes coming from placed balls, mainly through the respective full-forwards, Tony Kelly and Aaron Gillane.
Clare looked to have taken the lead in the 21st minute through a David Fitzgerald goal though referee Patrick Murphy disallowed it for a square ball offence and at the break a much-improved Limerick held a 0-11 to 0-9 lead.
Clare were more assertive in the third quarter, however, with Limerick lacking punch up front. Kelly’s third point from play drew the home side level for the first time in the 50th minute before David Fitzgerald put them in front.
Frees from Gillane and Diarmaid Byrnes drew Limerick level and there followed an 11-minute scoreless period during which Gillane suffered his second yellow card before a Kelly free put Clare back in front in injury time.
Browne then got his marching orders for a second bookable offence and David Reidy pointed the resultant free and though Byrnes had a chance from another placed ball from distance for the winner, it trailed wide.
CLARE: Eibhear Quilligan; Rory Hayes, Conor Cleary, Paul Flanagan; Jack Browne, John Conlon, David McInerney; Shane Golden, Jason McCarthy (0-1); Cathal Malone (0-1), David Fitzgerald (0-2), Ryan Taylor (0-1); Shane Meehan (0-1), Tony Kelly (0-11, 0-8f), Robin Mounsey (0-1 sideline).
Subs: Patrick Crotty for M3ounsey (52), Peter Duggan for Golden (55), Gary Cooney for Meehan (60), Paddy Donnellan for McCarthy (64).
LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Barry Nash, Dan Morrissey, Riche English; Diarmaid Byrnes (0-5, 0-3f), Declan Hannon, Colin Coughlan; William O’Donoghue, Darragh O’Donovan; Gearoid Hegarty (0-1), Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey (0-2); Cathal O’Neill (0-1), Aaron Gillane (0-7, 0-6f), Adam English (0-1).
Subs: Ronan Connolly for Hannon (30), Brian O’Grady for O’Donovan (53), Graeme Mulcahy for Hegarty (56), Pat Ryan for Adam English (61), David Reidy (0-1f) for Tom Morrissey (66).
REFEREE: Patrick Murphy (Carlow).
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