LIMERICK suffered a 2-17 to 2-15 defeat against Clare in Friday night’s lavishly entertaining Munster Under-20 Hurling Championship opener at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge.
On the run-in, Limerick looked the more likely winners but the home side struck some late scores to edge a thriller.
Clare had led by a couple of points at half-time.
Evan Loftus’ side next entertain Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds on Friday next at 7pm.
Of the five participants, only three will make it through to the knock-out phase.
In the ‘bridge, county senior performer Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock) suffered a second-half injury. Earlier, manager John Kiely confirmed that injured Darragh O’Donovan will miss Limerick’s opening couple of fixtures in the Munster Senior Championship.
Limerick’s lead scorers against the Banner were Askeaton-Kilcornan Desmonds’ Oisín O’Farrell (1-7), Robert O’Farrell of Kildimo-Pallaskenry (1-1) and Newcastle West’s Con Hayes, 0-3.
