Limerick bounced back from defeat against Tipperary last week to beat Clare and ensure they still have a chance of qualifying for the next phase of the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship.
In Miltown Malbay on Thursday night, Limerick scored 4-6 as the Banner replied with 0-15. Clare continually opened up a gap during the game but Limerick replied with goals to peg them back.
Clare led by four points in the 16th minute when Tommy Glynn took advantage of a shot which hit the post and landed in his possession. The Na Piarsaigh corner forward slotted the ball to the net.
| @LimerickCLG with a goal on the quarter hour mark stay in touch with @GaaClare @MunsterGAA | @ElectricIreland | #ThisIsMajor pic.twitter.com/olMrA5Kngh
— StreamSport.ie (@StreamsportI) April 20, 2023
As the game neared half-time, Clare had opened up a five-point lead. However, some superb play through the hands of Limerick's Padraic Phelan, Evan Curry and Darragh Hogan progressed the ball up the pitch into the possession of full-forward Andrew Lyons inside the large rectangle. He found the back of the Clare net. Clare took a two-point lead into the break.
"When we got them into the dressing room at half-time, we regrouped a bit," Limerick manager John Ryan told Sporting Limerick after the game.
"Goals win matches, and we got them tonight. Sometimes, they don't go in but they did tonight for us. I have to admire the workrate of the players, they were top class."
Limerick drew level early in the first half but Clare again sped away to take a four-point lead. Then, a scrappy goal from Adam Murphy in the 51st minute drew Limerick level once again.
HT @GaaClare 0-10 @LimerickCLG 2-02
Andrew Lyons with a goal just before the break to keep the visitors in touching distance. @MunsterGAA | @ElectricIreland | #ThisIsMajor pic.twitter.com/3JTKLJa93l
— StreamSport.ie (@StreamsportI) April 20, 2023
Less than two minutes after Murphy's goal, Limerick hit the front through their fourth goal of the match, and the second for Andrew Lyons. Evan Curry won the ball at midfield from a kickout. He found Padraic Murphy running off his shoulder who in turn handpassed to Lyons who struck to the Clare net to give them a 4-5 to 0-14 lead, one which would not be beaten.
In Thursday evening's other game, Tipperary defeated Waterford 2-18 to 1-3. The first phase of this year's championship sees Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford contest a group stage with the top two progressing to the next round. Tipperary currently top the group with four points while Clare and Limerick, with two points each, follow in second and third respectively.
Next week, Limerick play Waterford in Rathkeale while Tipperary face Clare at Semple Stadium.
"I knew when we met on Saturday that there was a kick in Limerick," said Ryan.
"I didn't think it would be as good as it was tonight. Hand it to Clare as well, they're very good footballers, moved the ball very fast, especially in the inside forward line, they caused us major problems in the first half with the way the breeze was.
"We have Waterford next week. We're back in the game now, and that's what it's all about. This is a great competition. It's not knockout, it's giving you a second chance. We got the second chance and we took it.
"Some of these players are 16, they're very, very young. You must respect as well that when they go out, it's their first championship game. We knew there was a kick in them, and knew they weren't as bad as they performed against Tipperary.
"There's two ways this could go now: It could give them the heart to drive on or they sit back. We have a good management team that will work with them over the next few days, and set them up for the Waterford game."
What a goal for @LimerickCLG who look set to shock @GaaClare @MunsterGAA | @ElectricIreland | #ThisIsMajor pic.twitter.com/m4PaBUCg8a
— StreamSport.ie (@StreamsportI) April 20, 2023
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