THE Limerick Senior hurlers took their first steps into 2012 over the last week and the first signs are positive. After 100 minutes of hurling in Sixmilebridge last Saturday night, Limerick and Clare finished level in the Waterford Crystal Cup, Limerick 1-15 to Clare’s 0-18.
The replay was a close affair also on Tuesday night in the Gaelic Grounds. A last minute point from Brian Donnellan gave Clare a 2-13 to 1-15 win in what was a hugely entertaining game.
With the sides level on no less than eight occasions the 1,500 plus crowd at the Gaelic Grounds were treated to a sample of what is to come from these counties in the new season.
Limerick’s hurling was direct and fast. Declan Hannon once more impressed, which is quickly becoming a given. Brian Geary’s cameo introduction into the forward line resulted in a net rattler for the converted back, while the Ryans, Tomas and James, impressed in their time together at midfield.
Even though Limerick dropped out of the Waterford Crystal Cup, the two games against a visibly well prepared Clare outfit will do them no harm.
John Allen should be more than pleased with the two score returns in the last week from his forwards.
Limerick now play Clare again on Saturday, February 25, under lights in the Gaelic Grounds in the opening round of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B.
In other news, The 2012 Club Draw will be officially launched, jointly, by John Allen and Maurice Horan in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare at 8pm on Friday 10th February.
SCORERS – Limerick: Declan Hannon 0-9 (four frees, two ’65s), Brian Geary 1-0, Micheal Ryan 0-2, Mark Carmody, Graeme Mulcahy, Donal O’Grady, David Moloney 0-1 each. Clare: Padraig Hickey 0-6 (five frees, one ‘65), Tony Carmody 1-1, John Conlon, Brian Donnellan 0-2 each, James McInerney (free), Colm Galvin 0-1 each.
LIMERICK- Aaron Murphy; Stephen Walsh, Tom Condon, Shane O’Neill; Bryan O’Sullivan, Gavin O’Mahony, David Moloney; James Ryan, Tomas Ryan, Declan Hannon, Niall Maher, Graeme Mulcahy; Mark Carmody, Niall Moran, Micheal Ryan. Subs: Brian Geary for Niall Moran (22mins), Mike Carr for Bryan O’Sullivan (h-t), Donal O’Grady for Tomas Ryan (h-t), Eamonn Gleeson for Brian Geary (55mins), Kyle Loftus for Niall Maher (66mins).
CLARE – Derek Fahy; Seadna Morey, Cian Dillon, Mark Earley; Ciaran O’Doherty, James McInerney, Stephen O’Halloran; Colm Galvin, Bryan Donnellan; Danny Russell, John Conlon, Jonathan Clancy; Tony Carmody, Ross Hoan, Padraig Hickey. Subs: Peter Duggan for Danny Russell (37mins), Aaron Cunnigham for Padraig Hickey (60mins), Patrick Donnellan for Ciaran O’Doherty (62mins), Fergal Lynch for Ross Horan (67mins),
