Winning start to league campaign

Clare 2-24   Limerick 1-13

WHEN Clare trailed by five points 20 minutes into their Division 1B National Hurling League first-round game at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Saturday night, few would have predicted a 14-point victory for the visitors.
Scoring 1-8 without reply in an 11-minute spell in the second quarter turned this game in Clare’s favour.
Clearly the fitter side, Clare showed the greater hunger for victory and were full value for their win. However, it’s difficult to accurately assess Clare’s strengths at this stage because of the manner in which the Limerick challenge crumbled.
The Shannonsiders were dealt a blow before the game when Declan Hannon was ruled out due to a groin injury. Named at wing-forward, the Adare man was a huge loss to the side, who were dealt a further blow 10 minutes into the game when midfielder James Ryan was forced out of the game after suffering what appeared to be an ankle injury. Gavin O’Mahoney was unable to return for the second half and given that they were already without Seamus Hickey, their line-up was certainly weakened.
That said, Clare followers will be pleased with their side’s display. Struggling in the opening quarter, they showed a marked improvement from the midpoint of the first half, when they strengthened their grip on the match.
With newly elected captain Pat Donnellan, later named man of the match, and Nicky O’Connell ruling matters at midfield, they pounded the Limerick defence and when the final whistle sounded, had a very impressive 2-16 from play to their credit.
It wasn’t the best of starts for the winners, who took the lead through a Conor McGrath-pointed free in the second minute only to find themselves in arrears seconds later. From the puckout after the Cratloe’s man’s point, Limerick raced through the Clare defence and Niall Moran goaled.
The teams exchanged points three times in the next 12 minutes before three in-a-row for the home side pushed them 1-6 to 0-4 clear and Clare looked to be in a little bit of trouble. Na Piarsaigh teenager Shane Dowling caused a lot of problems for the Clare half-backs, as the manager switched James McInerney and Brendan Bugler in an effort to curb the former Ard Scoil Rís star.
Clare’s first goal came in the 22nd minute and this had a huge bearing on the game. Conor McGrath roamed outfield and won possession. He found Fergal Lynch, who passed to Colin Ryan and the Newmarket man gave Nicky Quaid no chance. The goal sparked off a great spell for the winners and points followed from Sean Collins and Cathal McInerney to level the game with 10 minutes still to play in the half.
A converted free by McGrath had Clare back in front before Nicky O’Connell had, arguably, the score of the game. He won possession from a Patrick Kelly puckout and, from the touchline in front of the stand, sent the ball sailing between the uprights. Two more from McGrath and one each from Ryan and McInerney saw Clare go six clear as half-time approached but a brace from Dowling before the short whistle suggested Limerick would return with renewed determination.
It didn’t happen, as Clare dictated matters from the resumption, hitting the first five points through Nicky O’Connell (2), John Conlon, Sean Collins and McGrath to open a nine-point lead. Limerick had to wait until the 18th minute of the half for their first score. Three minutes later, any slim hopes of a rally by the home side were well and truly killed off when Conor McGrath found the net after taking a pass from the impressive Sean Collins.
Despite a shaky start, the Clare defence ruled throughout, highlighted by the fact that four of the starting Limerick forward line failed to score. Patrick O’Connor and Cian Dillon were particularly dominant on the night. Pat Donnellan and Nicky O’Connell dictated matters at midfield, while up front Sean Collins and Conor McGrath sparkled throughout, with John Conlon particularly prominent in the second half.
On the evidence of this display, Limerick will need to show a big improvement if they are to be in the running for league honours. Only Wayne McNamara and Tom Condon offered any resistance to the winners last week.

Clare: Patrick Kelly; Domhnaill O’Donovan, Cian Dillon, Conor Cooney; James McInerney, Patrick O’Connor, Brendan Bugler; Nicky O’Connell, Pat Donnellan (captain); John Conlon, Sean Collins, Fergal Lynch; Cathal McInerney, Colin Ryan, Conor McGrath.
Subs: Enda Barrett for Bugler (65 minutes), Liam Markham for Lynch (65 minutes) and Colm Galvin for Ryan (68 minutes).
Scorers: Conor McGrath (1-10, 8f), John Conlon (0-4), Colin Ryan (1-1), Nicky O’Connell (0-3), Sean Collins and Cathal McInerney (0-2 each), Pat Donnellan and Fergal Lynch (0-1 each).
Frees for: 12; wides: 2
Bookings: Cian Dillon (68 minutes).

Limerick: Nicky Quaid; Paul Browne, Ritchie McCarthy, Tom Condon; Conor Allis, Wayne McCarthy, Gavin O’Mahoney; Donal O’Grady, James Ryan; Shane Dowling, David Breen, Seanie O’Brien; Graeme Mulcahy, Niall Moran, Mikey Ryan.
Subs: Paudie O’Brien for Ryan (injured, 10 minutes), Stephen Walsh for O’Mahoney (half-time), Kevin Downes for S O’Brien (half-time), Tommy Quaid for Ryan (47 minutes) and James O’Brien for O’Grady (60 minutes).
Scorers: Shane Dowling (0-7, 4f), Niall Moran (1-1), Conor Allis (0-2, 1 line ball), James Ryan, Donal O’Grady and Kevin Downes (0-1 each).
Frees for: 9; wides: 8
Bookings: Wayne McNamara (40 minutes).
Referee: Johnnie Ryan, Tipperary.