Clare’s hopes of getting to the knock out stage in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland senior camogie championship are all but gone following a third successive defeat in this season’s championship race.
Amy Keating of Clare in action against Claire Keating of Limerick during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Amy Keating of Clare in action against Judith Mulcahy of Limerick during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Laura Foley of Clare in action against Siobhan Enright of Limerick during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Roisin Mc Mahon of Clare in action against Niamh Ryan of Limerick during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Clare manager Patricia O Grady urges on her team during their game against Limerick in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Ellen Horgan of Clare in action against Niamh Richardson of Limerick during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Karen O Leary of Limerick in action against Orlaith Duggan of Clare during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Laura Mc Mahon and Laura Foley of Clare in action against Siobhan Enright of Limerick during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Laura Mc Mahon and Laura Foley of Clare in action against Siobhan Enright of Limerick during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Niamh Richardson of Limerick in action against Niamh O Dea of Clare during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Roisin Mc Mahon of Clare in action against Sinead Mc Namara and Karen O Leary of Limerick during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Caoimhe Costello of Limerick in action against Maire Mc Grath of Clare during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Caoimhe Costello and Karen O Leary of Limerick in action against Maire Mc Grath of Clare during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Caoimhe Costello and Karen O Leary of Limerick in action against Maire Mc Grath of Clare during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
an injured Orlaith Duggan of Clare is treated for an injury during their game against Limerick in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Niamh O Dea’s injury was a big blow to Clare. Photograph by John Kelly.
Niamh O Dea of Clare in action against Muireann Creamer and Niamh Richardson of Limerick during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Niamh Ryan of Limerick in action against Aoife Keane of Clare during their game in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
Clearly disappointed Clare players following their loss to Limerick in Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
At Cusack Park on Saturday, a strong first half showing by visitors Limerick steered the visitors to their second win of the campaign and left Clare pointless at the bottom of the table.
Niamh Mulcahy was the Limerick hero, contributing all but three points of their total. Throughout the hour she proved a handful for Clare.
While there is no disputing the merit of Limerick’s win, Clare were, clearly, annoyed with a number of referee John McDonagh’s decisions over the course of the hour. The Galway based official who hails from Liscannor clearly annoyed Clare officials and followers with some of his decisions, not least the sending off of team captain Orlaith Duggan on a second yellow card.
Having played with the aid of a strong breeze, Limerick were 1-10 to 0-4 in front at the break. Clare needed a good start to the second half but it was limerick who stretched their lead and they were ten points clear as the three quarter stage approached. Clare then hit three unanswered points but the sending off of team captain Duggan with ten minutes remaining proved a major blow.
