Tag Archives: Limerick

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 1 Limerick 3-15 Clare 1-18 Early sunstroke for Clare after being blitzed by three final quarter Limerick goals in an unprecedented 12 point turnaround in Ennis, writes Eoin Brennan. In what seemed the real start of the summer amidst soaring temperatures in a capacity 20,055 Cusack Park, Clare seemed to be on track for a rousing opening derby victory when soaring nine clear by the turn of the final quarter. With talisman Tony Kelly also subsequently introduced, the script was written for an early statement of intent from the recently crowned National League champions. However, much like their flooring opening round reverse to a five goal Tipperary this time last year, Clare would be largely the architects of their own downfall as not only were they outscored by 3-6 to 0-3 in a war-weary finish but all three goals were emininently preventable. It makes their trip to Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Sunday all the …

When Clare bring war to Cusack Park it creates a championship atmosphere to rival any other venue in the country, writes Joe Ó Muircheartaigh ahead of Sunday’s game when the Banner County hope to put a marker down and take the All-Ireland champions’ scalp. “Clare, wearing the old saffron jerseys with blue hoops for the first time in years, crashed into the exchanges from the word go in a manner reminiscent of their ancestors’ assault on the English ranks in Fontenoy.” Gerry McCarthy, The Irish Press, 1972 It’s a war to the power of hurling. Same as it ever was. Febrile, hostile, primal and all topped and tailed by all-consuming bursts of noise to the ebb, and flow and giving it that concertina effect – all somehow self-contained within the airspace of the ground. It’s home to what Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin calls organised ‘chaos’ and ‘markers down’, while Podge Collins cuts to that almost spiritual and awe-inspiring feeling of having …

On the panel for a number of years now Darragh, nephew of manager Brian, made his Championship debut last year when introduced as a substitute in the Waterford game and went on to start in the All Ireland quarter final victory over Dublin. This season the Wolfe Tones clubman has had plenty of game time to try and impress and he has certainly grabbed his opportunity with aplomb. Starting the League final at midfield, Lohan put in a powerful shift and is of course delighted with his National league medal. “It was an absolute fierce battle against Kilkenny as it always tends to be. We didn’t play as well as we have or as we can do but it’s all about the result and we’re delighted with the win. To be honest it’s great to get a reward for the hard work that we’ve put in over the last few years. To win a medal with your county is what …

Munster Minor Hurling Championship Round 3 Clare v Limerick at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge, Thursday, April 18, 7pm (Shane Scanlon, Cork) Having already achieved it with the confident manner of their All-Ireland winning performance, the latest Clare minor hurling squad are also looking to inspire their senior counterparts in the first Shannonside derby of the weekend in Sixmilebridge this evening (Thursday). Despite twelve minor debuts in their championship opener against Waterford a fortnight ago, Brian O’Connell’s side seamlessly pick up where their predecessors left off in 2023 with a commanding 0-22 to 0-13 victory in Cusack Park. With an unchanged team set to complete their home quota this evening, the Banner need to make the most of this chance to effectively reduce the Munster Final chasing field to three teams, with Clare set to face fellow fancied sides Cork and Tipperary away over the coming weeks. Ringrustiness perhaps was a factor in Limerick’s slow start against Cork but they certainly warmed …

The 1968 Clare Rose was one of a bunch of 27 former Rose of Tralee winners who marched in the New York St Patrick’s Parade last Saturday. Clarecastle woman, Eileen Slattery Mostafa teamed up with her sister roses when the 1994 Rose, Muirne Hurley Goode, put out a call on their WhatsApp group. Battling breast cancer at the time, the Limerick woman had a dream to march in the famous parade, and the roses stepped up to the plate to help her realise it. The current Rose of Tralee, New York rose, Róisín Wiley, along with many of the 2023 contestants and escorts also participated in the event. “The seed was sown by our lovely 1994 Rose. She had the idea to live out a life long desire to walk in this special parade on St Patrick’s Day,” Eileen told The Clare Champion this week. “Courageous Muirne sent out the word to her fellow rose sisters. The response was amazing …

Munster Hurling League Group A Round 1 Limerick 2-21 Clare 1-19 The first Shannonside derby spoils went the All-Ireland champions’ way after holding off hosts Clare in the chilly night air of Clarecastle’s new astro facility which had a capacity 1,500 attendance, writes Eoin Brennan. A late goal in each half proved crucial in maintaining Limerick’s advantage, with an injury-time first coming against the run of play to hand Limerick a 1-10 to 0-10 interval cushion. Both sides were extremely experimental though so not much could be read into any tactical gameplay, instead the inordinate wide count on both sides (Clare 18, Limerick 14) perhaps indicative of their first competitive outing of 2024. That said, Clare’s greater profligacy was notable in the second period as they frustratingly looked to close the gap and ironically while they struggled to create any clearcut goal chances, a late consolation came by means of a large dollop of fortune as goalkeeper Eamon Foudy’s monster …

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final Limerick 1-23 Clare 1-22 Fortune didn’t end up favouring the brave as Clare were agonisingly edged out by the minimum despite playing in front of a capacity 43,756 in the lion’s den of the TUS Gaelic Grounds, writes Eoin Brennan.  A contentious last gasp decision or lack of to award Adam Hogan a potentially equalising free that would have sent the Munster Final to extra-time for the second successive year re-emphasised the wafer-thin margins between these Shannonside neighbours. Amidst the sweltering sunshine in Limerick HQ, a fourth championship derby in just over twelve months didn’t quite match the electric atmosphere as familiarity ensured more caution than innovation for the majority. However, with never more than a puck of the ball between them for over 70 of the near 80 minutes played. It was still utterly compelling fare that did inevitably go down to the very last play. Both sides had to made big calls beforehand …