Limerick have started their Munster title defence in impressive fashion, producing a big second half comeback to secure a 3-15 to 1-18 victory over Clare in Ennis.
Clare were the better side for much of the game, especially in the first half. They led by five points at halftime, with this goal Aidan McCarthy the standout moment before the interval.
An absolute rocket from Aidan McCarthy at Cusack Park 🚀pic.twitter.com/dPWl0VtcTV
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 21, 2024
The hosts picked up where they left off after the game resumed, at one point leading by as much as nine points.
However, the match was then flipped on its head.
Limerick would score three goals in the space of five minutes to take the lead, with Clare no doubt feeling that they should have dealt better with the first two.
LIMERICK GOAL!
A Diarmaid Byrnes free finds its way to the Clare net as Aaron Gillane an Conor Cleary tussled in front of Eibhear Quilligan
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📻Commentary on @RTERadio1 pic.twitter.com/AwiL6tTHGe— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 21, 2024
TWO GOALS FOR LIMERICK!
What a turnaround as the All-Ireland champions score two in as many minutes
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📻Commentary on @RTERadio1 pic.twitter.com/9ON9ztZtHl— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 21, 2024
This proved to be the turning point for Limerick, who would go on to win by three points.
However, some are questioning as to whether a couple of those keys goals should have been allowed to stand.
READ HERE: Padraic Joyce Gave Incredibly Honest Assessment Of Galway Win Over Sligo
Joe Canning unsure about Limerick goal against Clare
Clare should have done better with the first two Limerick goals. Conor Cleary failed to deal with a long ball into the squad for the first, while goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan probably should have saved the shot from Donnacha Ó Dáilaigh for the second.
In saying that, there is an argument to be made that the officials should have given a square ball for both the first and third goals. On both occasions, Limerick players were very close to entering the square before the ball.
Speaking on RTÉ after the game, Joe Canning said that while he had question marks over a potential square ball for the third goal, Clare only have themselves to blame for conceding the other two.
Was Aaron Gillane in the square before the ball? It's a tight call say Joe Canning and Liam Sheedy
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📻Commentary on @RTERadio1 pic.twitter.com/6iQtC50g21— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 21, 2024
In real time, we thought it was a square ball (for the third goal). Looking back, it's very minute.
Looking at the first one, I think Diarmaid Byrnes mishit it to be honest. I'd question when you see it coming in here, what is Conor Cleary doing? He goes to catch the ball, as a fullback you should be clearing the man, the hurl, everything. Just leave it off to your goalie.
It looked like he went to catch it. First and foremost that should be into the goalie and let it off...
I'd question (the second goal). An inter-county goalie should be saving that, that's calling a spade a spade. He bounced it, it's always tricky when they bounce.
[The third goal] is the one in real time we thought was Aaron Gillane in the square or not? Hegarty does extremely well here, takes on his man and hits a good shot back off the post.
I just thought that Gillane was so close to the post when it hit him that he surely had to be (in the square). It's very small margins.
While Clare can debate whether the third goal should have been given, there is no doubt that they should won this game.
A lack of concentration at a key stage in the second half cost them dearly, the type of lapse you don't get away with against this Limerick team.
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