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Clare Defeated By Limerick In Senior Hurling Championship Opener

Munster SHC: Clare 1-18 Limerick 3-15

Clare will have to take the hard road once again if they are to get back to another Munster final after an opening round loss to Limerick in Cusack Park.

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It might be a cliché, but goals won the game as the All Ireland champions raided for three green flags in a six minute spell to turn a 9 point deficit into a three point win.

The Banner defence will be disappointed with the manner of the goals, with all three being in the preventable category.

It was rough justice on a Clare side who led by 1-16 to 0-13 after 60 minutes, and were the more clinical side for the vast majority of the contest.

Aidan McCarthy, who finished with a personal tally of 1-10, raided for the opening goal of the game on the half hour mark, and it helped Clare lead by 1-10 to 0-8 at the break.

Limerick’s traditional third quarter burst wasn’t allowed to materialise, with Clare instead looking like they were kicking for home by winning that period by 0-6 to 0-5.

Diarmaid Byrne’s long range effort somehow dropped to the net on the 60th minute, with goals following from Aaron Gillane and Donnacha O’Dalaigh to see Limerick lead by 3-14 to 1-16.

Tony Kelly marked his 2024 bow by landing Clare’s next two scores, but the goal that was needed to earn a share of the spoils never arrived.

Clare now face a trip to Pairc ui Chaoimh next Sunday afternoon where Brian Lohan’s side need to win against Cork in order to get their season back on track

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