All-Ireland champions Clare gave their hopes of avoiding relegation to Division 1B a fighting chance thanks to a three-point victory over rivals Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday evening.
In near-perfect conditions in front of 16,789 on Limerick's Ennis Road, the Banner led by three points 0-12 to 0-9 at half-time, before a spirited and determined Brian Lohan side ran out three-point winners with David Reidy’s 37th minute goal proving to be the difference.
The result is a first league win of the season for Lohan’s men following defeats to Kilkenny, Galway, and Wexford.
Clare now need results against Cork in Ennis next week and away to Tipperary on 22 March, and for other results to go their way, if they are to play Division 1A hurling next year.
With less than a minute on the clock, Shane O’Brien bore down on goal but Eibhear Quilligan superbly saved to deny the Kilmallock man.
When Aaron Gillane hit the crossbar on the 10th minute mark after latching on to a long Diarmaid Byrnes free, the Clare rearguard were certainly withstanding an early Limerick onslaught.
After Limerick took an early two-point lead – 0-3 to 0-1 – both sides were level on three separate occasions in the opening half.
By the half hour mark, however, Clare had opened up a four-point lead – 0-11 to 0-7 – thanks to efforts from Aidan McCarthy, David Fitzgearld and Jack O’Neill.
By half-time, Clare led 0-12 to 0-9, with Brian Lohan’s side having scored four without response after the sides had been level for the fourth time with 21 minutes gone on the clock.
Limerick came flying out of the traps after the restart and points from David Reidy, Barry Nash and Cian Lynch had the sides level for the fifth time.
However, Clare were ahead once more by the 40th minute when David Reidy gave Jason Gillane no chance, blasting home into the far corner after Mark Rodgers showcased his soccer skills to create the chance.
From here, Clare outscored Limerick by nine points to eight to run out winners.
Tension flared in the 64th minute when Limerick’s Diarmaid Byrnes saw red after a 21-man skirmish in front of the city end terrace.
Limerick: Jason Gillane (0-2, 0-2f); Barry Murphy, Mike Casey, Barry Nash (0-2); Diarmaid Byrnes (0-2, 0-1 '65), Ethan Hurley, Colin Coughlan; Adam English, Cian Lynch (capt.) (0-1); Eddie Stokes, David Reidy (0-2), Cathal O’Neill; Aaron Gillane (0-8, 0-6f), Shane O’Brien (0-2), Seamus Flanagan.
Sub: Aidan O’Connor (0-2) for Stokes (half-time), Patrick O’Donovan for Flanagan (51), Tom Morrissey for O'Neill (59), Donnacha O'Dalaigh for O'Brien, Vince Harrington for Nash (both 66)
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Darragh Lohan, Conor Leen; Seán Rynne (0-3), John Conlon, Cian Galvin (0-1); Cathal Malone (0-1), Ryan Taylor, David Fitzgerald (0-2), Mark Rodgers (0-1), Jack O’ Neill (0-3); Aidan McCarthy (0-7, 0-6f), Tony Kelly (0-3), David Reidy (1-0)
Subs: Shane Meehan for Reidy (56) Patrick Crotty for McCarthy (69), Aron Shanagher for Fitzgerald (70)
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)
