This article is from page 68 of the 2011-03-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 68 JPG
Limerick 2-11 – Clare 0-15 (AET) at The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
AS HISTORY repeated itself from last year’s tie, Clare once again failed to hold onto a significant lead against a poor Limerick side as they went crashing out of the Munster U21 championship in extra time.
Clare started the game on Wednesday evening playing with a strong breeze in the first half but they were unable to capitalise on it and it was Limerick who dominated early on. They found themselves 1-2 to 0-3 down after 14 minutes and it was only here they began to play and managed to take control until half time. Five points from the lively full-forward line of McMahon, McInerney and Malone saw Clare go in a point up at the break, 0-7 to 1-3.
Given the strength of the wind many began to question if such a small lead would suffice. They were soon answered as the Banner men hit five points without reply in the first 11 minutes of the second half, three by Malone from placed balls. The pressure was now on Limerick to perform and with two minutes of normal time remaining and Clare having a five point advantage the game looked all but won.
Three minutes of injury time were signaled and here is where it all went wrong for Clare. They were reduced to 14 men as Podge Collins received a second yellow card and Limerick free taker Eoghan O’Connor had cut the deficit to just a goal, however, Clare were still in pole position. Then a lapse in concentration at a vital stage saw James Kelly latch onto a quick free and blast the ball into the back of the net to force the game into extra time.
Clare played with the gale again for the first period and points again from McInerney and Malone along with substitute Daniel Gallery who blasted it over when put straight through on goal, once again gave Clare a one point advantage at the half, 0-15 to 2-8. Unfortunately the second period was to be all Limerick as Clare failed to register a score and three points from Eoghan O’Connor (2) and goal scorer Kelly (1) meant the comeback was complete and Clare were out.
So for the second successive year Clare are unable to get past their opening game against Limerick and still remain the only county in Mun- ster yet to win the U21 Provincial title. Limerick now go on to face Kerry in the semi-final in two weeks time.