Clare 0-19 Limerick 0-15
Davy Fitzgerald’s Clare smashed their recent qualifier jinx to book a place in the All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals.
2013 Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly bagged nine points for the Banner men as they saw off the dogged challenge of neighbours Limerick at Semple Stadium this evening.
Since winning the All-Ireland title three years ago, Clare crashed out in the qualifiers for the last two seasons but they won by four points in Thurles to keep their championship season alive.
Kelly was the star of the show for Clare, bagging seven of his points from placed balls, while taking the sensible option of a point from a late penalty.
Clare suffered qualifier heartbreak against Wexford two years ago and Cork in 2015 but this is a significant step forward for them.
And it was Kelly who showed real leadership in the closing minutes to get them over the line.
When Limerick goalkeeper and captain Nickie Quaid barged into Aaron Shanagher with two minutes left, Kelly lashed the penalty over the bar for a point and a 0-18 to 0-14 lead.
James Ryan cut Clare’s advantage back to three with a fine point from the New Stand side of the field but in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Kelly nailed the insurance score, his second point from play.
On the balance of play, Clare were deserved winners and a blistering run of nine unanswered points in the first half provided the platform for victory.
Clare signalled their intent with a point after just 15 seconds from Shanagher but a fired-up Limerick side hit back to lead by 0-04 to 0-01 and 0-05 to 0-02.
However, Darragh O’Donovan’s 7th-minute point was Limerick’s last from play for the remainder of the first-half and they didn’t score again before the break following Shane Dowling’s 65’ in the 18th minute.
That score followed a magnificent goal-saving intervention from Brendan Bugler to deny Dowling a goal – and Clare rallied by flashing over some brilliant points.
They had nine wides before the break, including four from Colm Galvin but Clare clicked into gear and overwhelmed Limerick.
Podge Collins was excellent in a roving role and Shane O’Donnell clipped over a couple of points and worked hard to force errors and turnovers from Limerick defenders.
At half-time, Clare were 0-11 to 0-05 clear and looking winners all over but Limerick opened the second half with two points to narrow the gap to four.
Back came Clare with a couple of settlers from Kelly; an O’Donnell point sandwiched in between, but Limerick had fight in them in what looks certain to be TJ Ryan’s last in charge.
Although Clare appeared to be keeping Limerick at arm’s length in front of 15,540 spectators, Ryan’s men rallied to within three points down the home straight.
Clare nerves jangled but they helm firm to advance and while much of their work was of the highest class, a second half fadeout will concern manager Fitzgerald.
Clare: A Fahy; P O’Connor, C Dillon, J Browne (0-01); O O’Brien, D McInerney (0-01), B Bugler; C Galvin, D Reidy; C Cleary, J Conlon (0-01), P Collins (0-03); S O’Donnell (0-03), T Kelly (0-09, 5f, 1 65, 0-01 pen), A Shanagher (0-01).
Subs: A Cunningham for Conlon (47), D Fitzgerald for Bugler (66).
Limerick: N Quaid; T Condon, R McCarthy, R English; D Byrnes (0-03), G O’Mahony, P O’Brien; P Browne (0-01), D O’Donovan (0-01); D Hannon, J Ryan (0-02), C Lynch; K Downes (0-01), S Dowling (0-06, 5f, 1 65), G Mulcahy.
Subs: T Morrissey for O’Donovan (h.t.), G Hegarty (0-01) for Hannon (h.t.), S Hickey for O’Brien (42), B Nash for Mulcahy (56), A Dempsey for English (60).
Referee: J Owens (Wexford).
