Munster U20 Hurling : Clare 0-27 Limerick 1-20
A battling performance, including three of the last four scores of the game, saw Clare overcome Limerick to reach the semi finals of the Munster U20 hurling championship.
It was a game that Clare controlled for large periods, including when racing into a 0-16 to 0-8 lead in the 26th minute, but Limerick sent out a signal for what was to come by reducing the arrears to four before the break.
Limerick will have regrets on some of the missed chances they accumulated over the contest, with Clare’s accuracy in front of goal seeing them convert all seven of their opening efforts at the post to assert early dominance in the tie.
That cushion would be needed as a Limerick goal just before the end of the third quarter punished some below par defending from Clare, and left just two points between the sides going down the home stretch.
Credit to Terence Fahy’s crew, they battled manfully to respond and crucially, never allowed the home side at the TUS Gaelic Grounds to restore parity.
In truth, it was a game that Clare deserved to win overall, but they can be thankful to their custodian Mark Sheedy for producing two brilliant point blank saves in the opening half.
Jack O’Neill was also exceptional, landing some top quality scores in a virtuoso display that would see him end the evening with a personal tally of 0-6, while Fred Hegarty landed some incredible long range frees at vital times.
Clare now go to Supervalu Pairc ui Chaoimh to face Cork next Wednesday evening, with a place in the final against Tipperary on offer for the winners.
