Clare hit late flurry to see off Limerick in Munster U-20 opener

Played at a dry but windy Sixmilebridge, Clare missed a late penalty but recovered to get beyond their neighbours in the first of four group games.

Terence Fahy will like the grit shown by his charges, who trailed at half-time when Robert O’Farrell drilled Limerick ahead with a stunning solo goal.

For Limerick, managed by Evan Loftus, a wasteful second half was compounded by the loss of star forward, Shane O’Brien, through injury. They will need to pick up points against Tipperary next weekend, as they failed to use the wind adequately in a low-scoring second half.

An early goal from Michael Collins set Clare on their way, putting them five ahead. However, Con Hayes and Oisin O’Farrell kept Limerick in touch.

O’Farrell got his side’s first goal, collecting a long delivery before firing to the net after 19 minutes.

Clare, through Whelan, Seán Rynne and Niall O’Farrell, stayed narrowly ahead late in the half, but O’Farrell drilled Limerick ahead for the second time. The Treaty were 2-8 to 1-9 ahead at the midway point.

Clare owned the second half, but a trio of Limerick scores looked to have put them back in charge. Sub Donal Coughlan, Oisin O’Farrell and Con Hayes were all accurate, but they failed to score for the final 10 minutes of play.

A 56th minute penalty from Whelan was blazed well wide but he along with Rynne, finished strongly, with the final three scores to take a valuable victory on home soil.

Scorers for Clare: C Whelan 0-7 (0-7 frees); M Collins 2-1; S Rynne 0-3; N O’Farrell 0-2; S Woods, E Gunning, R Kilroy, J O’Neill 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: Oisin O’Farrell 1-7 (0-6 frees); Robert O’Farrell 1-1; Con Hayes 0-3; Dara Ferland, David Fitzgerald, Fintan Fitzgerald, Donal Coughlan 0-1 each.

Clare: M Sheedy; J Cahill, T Leyden, R Keane; S Woods, J Hegarty, J Moylan; R O’Connor, E Gunning; C Whelan, S Rynn, R Kilroy; N O’Farrell, J O’Neill, M Collins.

Subs: J Organ for Gunning (54); E Maxted for O’Connor (59).

Limerick: P Connery; M Fitzgibbon, D Langan, J Fitzgerald; D Fitzgerald, M Fitzgerald, C Scully (C) ); W Kearns, C Hayes; R O’Farrell, F Fitzgerald; D Ferland; H Flanagan, S O’Brien, O O’Farrell.

Subs: D Coughlan for O’Brien (43); M O’Riordan for Flanagan (54)

Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork)