Limerick keep Clare out to secure crucial win ahead of Louth game

Limerick 2-10 Clare 1-5

Limerick held Clare scoreless for the last 24 minutes at Newcastle West to fashion a win which enhances their prospects of retaining division 3 status when they travel to play Louth next Sunday.

It was obvious that the very strong wind would be a key factor and Limerick had the advantage in the first half.

Having built up a 1-3, the goal by Seanie Buckley, to nil lead after thirteen minutes Limerick went on to lead 1-4 to 0-3 at halftime with Garry Brennan, two points, one from a free, and Cathal O’Connor getting the Clare scores.

But within nine minutes of the restart Clare were level at 1-5 each, their goal being scored from a penalty by Pat Burke. It seemed they would move on from there but points by substitutes Cian Sheehan, Ian Ryan, free, and Danny Neville had Limerick three points clear.

Peter Nash then had a point and he hit a stunning goal to ensure that Limerick fashioned a win that had looked unlikely after 44 minutes.

LIMERICK: B Scanlon; S Cahill, J McCarthy, R Browne (0-1); I Corbett, P Browne, P Ranahan; T Lee, G Hegarty; J Riordan, D Treacy (0-1), C Fahy; P Nash (1-1), S Buckley (1-2, 2f), K Moore (0-1 f). Subs: I Ryan (0-1f) for Moore (24), C Sheehan (0-1) for Corbett h-t, D Neville (0-2) for Riordan h-t, J Lee for Fahy (66), M Lyons for Ryan (69).

CLARE: J Hayes; D Ryan (0-1), K Hartnett, M McHugh; S Hickey, G Kelly, J Malone; G Brennan (0-3 1f), C O'Connor (0-1); S Collins, P Collins, S McGrath; M O'Leary, S Brennan, P Burke (1-0, pen). Subs: K Sexton for O'Leary h-t, S Haugh for S Collins (62), D Nagle for McGrath (69). Referee: S Joy (Kerry).