McInerney goals seal U-21 win

TWO excellent goals from the skillful Cathal McInerney helped Clare to a merited win over Limerick in the opening round of the Munster U-21 Football Championship at the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday. The win means Clare will travel to Cork to play the Leesiders in the provincial semi-final on Wednesday, March 28.
“It was a great night’s work from a very honest team. They worked so hard all over the pitch and when you put in an honest effort, you get what you deserve. I am delighted for them,” commented team manager Colm Collins after the final whistle.
The Kilmihil man, who has led Cratloe to a number of county football titles in recent times, described Cathal McInerney as a “gifted” footballer.
“His goals were vital. The Malones were outstanding in defence but it was a real team effort. It was pure honesty and they deserved the win.”
Collins continued, “We knew Limerick were good and we knew they would carry the ball. It took a lot of work from all who played. It’s been an outstanding week for Clare football with the win over Carlow last Sunday and we have another big game this Sunday.”
Limerick looked the livelier side in the opening minutes of the match and took the lead after just 30 seconds through Eoghan O’Connor. In Clare’s first attack, full-forward Darren O’Neill won possession and levelled. They swapped points twice more before the end of the first quarter when they were level at 0-3 each.
It was noticeable that as the game progressed, Clare were doing better and they put together some very good moves. One of these led to the game’s opening goal, which came from McInerney in the 17th minute.
A blistering Clare move from their own defence caused all sorts of problems for the home side and when the ball came to McInerney, he broke past his marker and cooly shot to the net. Five minutes later, he kicked a fine point to increase Clare’s lead, before a second point from wing-back Stephen Tierney stretched the Banner side’s lead to five.
Limerick enjoyed the better of matters in the closing minutes of the first half and kicked two valuable points to leave just a goal between the sides as referee Derek O’Mahoney signalled for half-time.
In the second half, there were fears among Clare supporters when the home side fought back in the third quarter to level with 15 minutes remaining.
A Darren O’Neill point from a free put Clare back in front and then McInerney struck for his second goal, finding the net after great work by team captain Shane Brennan.
Limerick piled on the pressure in the final 10 minutes but Clare defended superbly. In the second minute of injury time, the outstanding Seanie Malone made a superb block when it looked like the home side might grab a late equalising goal, just like they did last year.
Limerick finished with 14 men after Ian Corbett was sent off in the first minute of injury time.

Clare: Wes De Loughrey (Cratloe); Eamon Malone (Corofin), Martin O’Connor (Kilmaley), Enda Ralph (Ennistymon); Seanie Malone (Miltown, St Joseph’s), Stephen Collins (St Joseph’s, Doora-Barefield), Stephen Tierney (St Breckan’s); Keith O’Connor (Kildysart), Conor Ryan (Cratloe); Enda Finnucane (Lissycasey), Shane Brennan (Clondegad, capt), Sean O’Driscoll (Ennistymon); Cathal McInerney (Cratloe), Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg), Podge Collins (Cratloe).
Subs: Matt O’Shea (Lissycasey) for O’Driscoll (35 mins), Micheál Malone (Miltown) for O’Connor (43 mins), John Looney (Cooraclare) for Ryan (50 mins), Ronan Linnane (Ennistymon) for Finnucane (59 mins) and Oisín Vaughan (Ennistymon) for Ralph (62 mins).
Scorers: Cathal McInerney (2-1), Stephen Tierney (0-3), Darren O’Neill (0-2, 1f) and Enda Finnucane (0-1).

Limerick: James Brouder; Aidan Morissey, Aidan O’Sullivan, Conor McLoughlin; James O’Meara, Tom McCarthy, Sean Sheehan; Darragh Treacy, Ian Corbett; Derry O’Connor, Eoghan O’Connor, Francis O’Riordan; Denis O’Dea, Jack Donovan, Jamie Lee.
Subs: John Lane for O’Dea (47 mins), Darragh Bonfil for Donovan (55 mins), Padraig Quinn for Treacy (57 mins) and Tommy Quilligan for Lee (57 mins).
Scorers: Eoghan O’Connor (0-5, 4f), Derry O’Connor (0-2), Ian Corbett, Jamie Lee and Francis O’Riordan (0-1 each).
Referee: Derek O’Mahoney, Tipperary.