WE HAD A bumper GAA Sunday to look forward to as Clare and Limerick kicked off the Munster hurling championship for another summer.
First, it was Cavan v Monaghan in the Ulster football championship while Roscommon travelled to Ruislip and there wss also action in the Leinster SHC.
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Good afternoon and welcome to The42‘s live coverage of all of today’s GAA action.
We’ll be focusing mainly on the Ulster football clash between Cavan and Monaghan (2pm) and the Munster hurling opener between Clare and Limerick (4pm) — but if it’s Connacht football or Leinster hurling you seek, don’t worry, we’ll have all the info from those games too.
Here’s the full line-up of today’s fixtures:
Ulster SFC quarter-final
Cavan v Monaghan, 2pm
Leinster SHC round-robin
Laois v Westmeath, 2pm
Antrim v Carlow, 2pm
Connacht SFC quarter-final
Roscommon v London, 3pm
Munster SHC quarter-final
Clare v Limerick, 4pm
In case you missed them earlier in the week, here are the Cavan and Monaghan teams named for the clash in Breffni Park. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear of any late changes.
Cavan
1. Conor Gilsenan (Bailieboro)
2. Jason McLoughlin (Shannon Gaels)
3. Rory Dunne (Redhills)
4. Ronan Flanagan (Castlerahan)
5. James McEnroe (Ramor Utd)
6. Feargal Flanagan (Butlersbridge)
7. Damien O’Reilly (Belturbet)
8. Tomas Corr (Denn)
9. Gearoid McKiernan (Swanlinbar)
10. Dara McVeety (Crosserlough)
11. Michael Argue (Bailieboro)
12. Martin Reilly (Killygarry)
13. Cian Mackey (Castlerahan)
14. Martin Dunne (Cavan Gaels)
15. Niall McDermott (Ballinagh)
Monaghan
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
2. Dessie Mone (Clontibret)
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
4. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay)
5. Fintan Kelly (Clones)
6. Vinny Corey (Clontibret)
7. Karl O’Connell (Tyholland)
8. Neil McAdam (Monaghan Harps)
9. Dick Clerkin (Currin)
10. Owen Duffy (Latton)
11. Paul Finlay (Ballybay)
12. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)
13. Dermot Malone (Castleblayney)
14. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown)
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret)
Of course, there is one other important debut this afternoon — King Henry Shefflin makes his first appearance as an analyst on RTÉ’s Sunday Game.
He’s got the studio look down anyway…
The curtain-raiser in Breffni Park was between the Cavan and Monaghan minors and it was the perfect start to the afternoon for the hosts. They were comfortable 12-point winners, 2-17 to 1-8, and book their place in the provincial semis.
THROW IN: Two late changes on either side. Raymond Galligan starts in goal for Cavan instead of Conor Gilsenan, and Niall Murray is in for Martin Dunne.
For Monaghan, Ryan McAnespie and Shane Carey start in place of Dick Clerkin and Owen Duffy.
Monaghan 0-1 Cavan 0-0: Conor McManus kicks an easy free to open the scoring for Monaghan.
Cavan 0-1 Monaghan 0-1: Cian Mackey levels it up for Cavan.
Cavan 0-2 Monaghan 0-1: Michael Argue finds a bit of space behind the Monaghan defence and fists Cavan into the lead for the first time.
Conor McManus is going to have his hands full if these early exchanges are anything to go by. He’s crowded out by both Rory Dunne and Feargal Flanagan, and eventually turns over possession.
Cavan 0-3 Monaghan 0-1: Cavan couldn’t have hoped for a much better start. Niall McDermott slots their third point.
Rory Beggan lines up a long free for Monaghan but it’s right and wide — their first of the game.
Afternoon all, Fintan O’Toole here in Thurles, where we’re gearing up to the Clare Limerick showdown at 4pm.
Before the senior sides clash, it’s Limerick against Clare in the Munster intermediate hurling quarter-final. Clare ahead 1-5 to 0-3 at the moment, Ian Galvin with the goal.
Conor McGregor gets a shout out on RTÉ as Michael Argue and Drew Wylie wrestle before going to ground. The referee waves play on.
Atmosphere is building outside Semple Stadium.
Cavan 0-4 Monaghan 0-1: Play is brought back for a Cavan free when no advantage accrues, and Niall McDermott knocks it over the bar.
Monaghan haven’t got out of the traps at all.
Cavan 0-4 Monaghan 0-2: Paul Finlay taps over a simple free in front of the posts — that’s Monaghan’s first score since the opening minute.
Five of the six scores so far have been from frees, it’s worth noting.
Leinster hurling round-robin latest:
Laois narrowly in front by 0-4 to 0-3 against Westmeath while it’s Antrim 1-2 Carlow 0-5.
Cavan 0-4 Monaghan 0-3: One of the first real glimpses of class. Feargal Flanagan is touch tight to Conor McManus — but even that’s not tight enough. McManus rounds him and points. A great score.
Cavan 0-4 Monaghan 0-4: Paul Finlay is fouled in the act of shooting — pretty needlessly, I must say — and Conor McManus points the free.
That’s three unanswered now for Monaghan and they’re level.
Monaghan 0-5 Cavan 0-4: McManus sizes up another free from about 30m out and makes no mistake.
Monaghan 0-5 Cavan 0-5: Level again thanks to a big, big free from the boot of Cavan keeper Raymond Galligan. He must have kicked it from all of 55 metres.
Monaghan 0-6 Cavan 0-5: Cavan’s indiscipline is their downfall here. A Monaghan free is moved forward, presumably for dissent, and it makes Paul Finlay’s task very easy indeed.
Monaghan 0-6 Cavan 0-6: Free, free, free, free, free — are you sensing a pattern here? Play comes down the far end and Niall McDermott brings Cavan level again.
Yes, it was a free.
Cavan 0-7 Monaghan 0-6: Will wonders never cease? A little bit of space opens up in front of Cian Mackey and he points — FROM PLAY — to edge Cavan in front.
Cavan 0-7 Monaghan 0-7: Cavan are playing by some sort of alternative rules where the aim is to concede as many kickable frees as possible. Paul Finlay will kick these all day.
The starting senior teams today for Clare and for Limerick have already been announced and here’s the list of substitutes for both teams.
Cavan 0-8 Monaghan 0-7: Ronan Flanagan — wearing number four but playing a much more advanced role — seizes possession and kicks Cavan back into the lead.
Don’t worry, it’s only a matter of time before they concede another easy free.
The man with the best nickname in the GAA is paying close attention to the footwear on show:
Munster IHC quarter-final
Clare in front 1-8 to 0-9 against Limerick at the break in the curtain-raiser in Semple Stadium. Ian Galvin, younger brother of Colm, with the Clare goal.
Cavan 0-9 Monaghan 0-7: That’s shocking defending by Monaghan who pass the ball directly to Gearoid McKiernan on the 45m line. He doesn’t need to be asked twice and it looks like Cavan will take a lead into the break.
HALF TIME: Cavan 0-9 Monaghan 0-7
Leinster SHC round-robin half-time scores
Westmeath 0-10 Laois 0-6; Carlow 0-8 Antrim 1-3. At the moment it’s looking like we’ll have quarter-final pairings of Westmeath against Offaly and Laois against Wexford.
Before throw-in, Joe Brolly crossed a line on RTÉ — here’s the story:
When asked by Lyster about Cavan’s style of play, Brolly made a comparison between it and RTÉ reporter Marty Morrissey.
“We’re starting to get used to it,” Brolly said of Cavan’s blanket defence approach. “I suppose in a way we’re just starting to live with it.
“I’ve referred to Cavan in recent years as the Black Death because the football has been as some people have said, as ugly as Marty Morrissey.”
Brolly did apologise at half-time, and said the comments were made in “the spirit of affection.”
SECOND HALF: We’re back underway in Breffni Park. No changes for either side.
Cavan 0-9 Monaghan 0-8: 14 seconds into the second half and Karl O’Connell points to cut the gap to the minimum.
Cavan 0-10 Monaghan 0-8: That didn’t take long — Gearoid McKiernan responds immediately for Cavan.
Cavan 0-11 Monaghan 0-8: That could have been very embarrassing for Niall McDermott. He has an easy free but nearly drops it short, bouncing it off the crossbar and over. Cavan lead by three.
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BLACK CARD! Dermot Malone ordered off for Monaghan; Stephen Gollogly on to replace him.
Cavan 0-11 Monaghan 0-9: Jason McLoughlin and Feargal Flanagan are double-teaming Conor McManus at every opportunity. He’s fouled on this occasion and points the free — that’s five for him today.
Monaghan sub: Colin Walshe on to replace Shane Carey
Rory Beggan tries another monster free. He has the wind at his back so the distance isn’t an issue but it’s right and wide.
Cavan 0-12 Monaghan 0-9: Lovely play from the Cavan forwards and Ciaran Brady points. Three-point game now and the clock is ticking on Monaghan…
Cavan 0-13 Monaghan 0-9: Make that four points! Cavan launch the ball towards Rory Beggan’s goal, Michael Argue is too powerful for Drew Wylie, and he hangs the ball up and over the bar.
Monaghan sub: Here’s Dick — Clerkin on to replace Paul Finlay.
Cavan 0-13 Monaghan 0-10: Conor McManus gets his sixth point and, I think, his fifth free.
Monaghan did have a shout for a penalty there a moment ago for a trip on Dessie Mone but it wasn’t given.
Cavan 0-13 Monaghan 0-11: Glorious chance for Darren Hughes and it’s all of his own making. He beats Jason McLoughlin to dropping ball and barges his way towards goal before rifling a shot that’s just the wrong side of Gilsenan’s bar.
Just the two points in it now.
Cavan sub: Martin Dunne is on — but his first shot is wide.
Cavan 0-13 Monaghan 0-12: The comeback is well and truly on! Vinny Corey plays the ball back to Dick Clerkin in a central position and with a swing of the right boot, he cuts the deficit to one.
BLACK CARD! Cavan lose Martin Reilly for dragging down Colin Walshe.
Cavan 0-13 Monaghan 0-13: ALL SQUARE! And what a free by Dessie Mone to do it. Cavan are on the ropes now.
Conor McManus wins a free and Kieran Hughes has a chance to put Monaghan in front…
Monaghan 0-14 Cavan 0-13: Not. A. Bother. After five unanswered points, Monaghan lead.
Silly by Monaghan. Mone tries to take a quick free to Gollogly but there isn’t enough yards between the two and Cavan gain possession.
Break in play as Drew Wylie is assessed for a potential concussion. Looks like he’ll be ok to continue.
Monaghan 0-14 Cavan 0-14: ALL SQUARE! Martin Dunne points — it’s Cavan’s first in 18 minutes — and we’re level again with four minutes to play.
Monaghan 0-15 Cavan 0-14: McManus! Monaghan are back in front!
Raymond Galligan sizes up another free from 55ish metres. He has the distance … but it’s wide.
Cavan have two minutes to find their equaliser.
It looks like Michael Argue’s fisted effort is wide – but the umpire awards a 45. Chance for Cavan to level it up.
Rory Beggan needs treatment so there’ll be a bit of a delay before Galligan takes this crucial 45…
There’ll be three additional minutes after it’s taken
MISSED! Galligan drags it wide. Huge let-off for Monaghan — and is that Cavan’s last chance to force a replay?
Monaghan have a free, and Rory Beggan trots up the pitch to wind the clock down a bit more. Less than two minutes left.
Monaghan 0-16 Cavan 0-14: Colin Walshe ventures forward from the back and points! Monaghan have one foot in the semi-finals.
Monaghan 0-16 Cavan 0-15: Thirty seconds left and Martin Dunne chooses to take his point rather than go for goal.
FULL TIME: Monaghan 0-16 Cavan 0-15
So that’s it! There was no time left for a final Cavan attack and it’s Monaghan who go through to the Ulster semis.
HALF TIME: London 0-05 Roscommon 0-11
FULL TIME: Carlow 2-18 Antrim 1-11
Laois 1-20 Westmeath 1-17
You’re fully up to speed with all of the early championship action so now, it’s time for Clare v Limerick. Throw-in is at 4pm.
Some pre-match hurling reading for you ahead of the first big game of the summer:
1. Shane O’Donnell on living with Limerick lads, the crazy 2013 hype, and playing Dota.
2. The two teenagers ready to take Limerick hurling by storm this summer.
3. 6 unsung heroes set to shine in the 2015 hurling championship.
4. The 8 young hurlers we can’t wait to see this summer.
The42′s very scientific and in-depth poll ahead of the 2015 Munster championship deems Tipperary as the most likely champions. Do you agree?
Today’s game naturally evokes memories of THAT 1996 clash between the counties and THAT point by Ciaran Carey.
Ger Loughnane recalled those days during the week while the award for the best anecdote from that game goes to Cian Lynch, a nephew of Carey’s, who makes his Limerick debut today.
One man who knows plenty about the Munster senior hurling championship is Brendan Cummins. He has won five titles after all in a stellar Tipperary career.
This summer he’s lining out for The42 and here’s his first column looking ahead to today’s showdown. Plenty to mull over here.
Here are the teams. One change for Clare as expected — Conor McGrath is ruled out so Gearóid O’Connell makes his championship debut.
There are three debutants in the Limerick team as well – Barry Hennessy, Seanie O’Brien and Cian Lynch all start.
Clare
1. Patrick Kelly
2. Domhnall O’Donovan
3. Cian Dillon
4. David McInerney
5. Pat Donnellan
6. Conor Ryan
7. Jack Browne
8. Pat O’Connor
9. Gearóid O’Connell
10. Shane Golden
11. Tony Kelly
12. Colin Ryan
13. John Conlon
14. Shane O’Donnell
15. David Reidy
Limerick
1. Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock)
2. Stephen Walsh (Glenroe)
3. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock)
4. Seamus Hickey (Murroe-Boher)
5. Tom Condon (Knockaderry)
6. Gavin O’Mahony (Kilmallock)
7. Seanie O’Brien (Patrickswell)
8. Paudie O’Brien (Kilmallock)
9. James Ryan (Garryspillane)
10. Paul Browne (Bruff)
11. Declan Hannon (Adare)
12. Donal O’Grady (Granagh-Ballingarry)
13. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
14. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
15. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
THROW IN: Limerick will have the breeze at their back in this first half.
Tom Condon picking up Tony Kelly in these early moments.
Limerick 0-1 Clare 0-0: Paudie O’Brien takes James Ryan’s pass and opens the scoring for Limerick.
Magnificent take from Shane Dowling who plucks a ball from the sky above Cian Dillon’s head. He wins the free — and tries to go for a sneaky goal but it’s blocked by Patrick Kelly.
Limerick 0-2 Clare 0-0: Clare concede another free in the scramble and Dowling points this one.
Limerick 0-2 Clare 0-1: Colin Ryan gets Clare off the mark with a free.
Limerick 0-3 Clare 0-2: Shane Dowling points a free but Clare hit back immediately through Colin Ryan who scores his first from play.
Limerick 0-3 Clare 0-3: Magic by Tony Kelly. Clare take a quick sideline cut into him in midfield and he uses the yard of space to point.
Limerick 0-4 Clare 0-3: Shane Dowling knocks over his third free to restore Limerick’s lead.
Limerick 0-5 Clare 0-3: A point to remember for Cian Lynch on his championship debut. He does brilliantly to avoid the hook of the Clare defenders and then has the composure to finish accurately.
Limerick 0-6 Clare 0-3: Another silly free given away by Clare, another Limerick point from the stick of Shane Dowling.
Limerick 0-6 Clare 0-4: Colin Ryan cuts the gap to two with a free.
Cian Lynch has had a very lively start at corner-forward for Limerick. If he’s in any way awed by his senior surroundings, he’s certainly not showing it.
Limerick 0-7 Clare 0-4: Marvellous by Lynch who drops out into the half-forwards to win possession and then points.
Tom Condon clatters through John Conlon under a dropping ball and gets the game’s first yellow card. Davy wasn’t happy with that challenge at all, so he wasn’t.
Limerick 0-8 Clare 0-5: Colin Ryan points the ensuing free but Limerick win possession from the puck-out and quickly respond through Seanie O’Brien.
Limerick 0-8 Clare 0-6: Clare are feeding off scraps a little bit but they’re making sure that they take the few chances that come their way. Shane Golden points and for all of Limerick’s possession, and a relatively generous free-count, it’s only a two-point game.
Limerick 0-8 Clare 0-7: Colin Ryan, 25m free, not a bother.
Colin Ryan has a chance to draw Clare level with a free but misses it to the left. That’s Clare’s fourth wide; Limerick have had five.
Limerick 0-9 Clare 0-7: Shane Dowling sizes up a free from a central position and points his fifth of the day.
Cian Lynch’s first-half performance will certainly have people talking at the break but Clare’s debutant, Gearoid O’Connell, hasn’t been too shabby himself. He plays the ball to Tony Kelly and despite his protestations that his shot is between the posts, it’s waved wide with no Hawk-Eye in Thurles to review it.
Limerick 0-9 Clare 0-8: Beautiful handling by Shane O’Donnell before he plays in Colin Ryan, who has a sight on goal but is fouled. There’s no advantage and Ryan points the free.
BAD MISS! Shane Dowling puts a simple free wide. My word.
SCHEMOZZLE!
There’s a complete barney at the end of this first half and Pat Donnellan throws a punch at Donal O’Grady. It’s a RED CARD for Donnellan!
HALF TIME: Limerick 0-9 Clare
Here’s that incident again. Donnellan swung out at O’Grady and he can’t have any complaints about the decision.
Clare down to 14.
We’re back underway in Semple Stadium. How will Clare survive with 14 men?
Limerick 0-10 Clare 0-9: Shane Dowling opens with a pointed 65 but John Conlon responds immediately at the other end.
Limerick 0-10 Clare 0-10: ALL SQUARE! Clare aren’t going down without a fight as Colin Ryan draws them level.
Limerick 0-11 Clare 0-11: Shane Dowling’s free is cancelled out immediately by David Reidy. End-to-end stuff here.
Clare 0-12 Limerick 0-11: Marvellous by John Conlon, scampering away down the right before pointing. Clare lead — and the 14 men have had the perfect start to this second half.
Clare 0-12 Limerick 0-12: Graeme Mulcahy shakes off the attention of Domhnall O’Donovan and points for the first time today. All square for the fourth time.
SAVE! Pa Kelly denies Limerick. Cian Lynch tried to sneak a shot under the bar but Kelly just managed to get his hurl on it.
Limerick 0-13 Clare 0-12: Tom Condon doesn’t score many points — in fact he’s only scored one in championship before today — but now he’s doubled that tally!
Limerick 0-14 Clare 0-12: Shane Dowling knocks over a free. Limerick lead by two.
Limerick 0-14 Clare 0-13: Aaron Cunningham is only on the pitch a matter of seconds and he’s a great chance on goal but he clips his shot off the top of the crossbar and over.
Limerick 0-15 Clare 0-13: Give Shane Dowling a free within an asses’ roar of the posts and you know he’s got a chance. His latest must be from nearly 70m out.
Limerick 0-16 Clare 0-13: I’m not sure if Ger Canning is just picking numbers out of the air but he reckons Dowling’s latest free is from 85 metres out. It was big, that’s for sure.
GOAL FOR LIMERICK! Limerick 1-16 Clare 0-13 That might well be that?! Dowling launches a long ball towards the Clare goal but it’s not cleared and Graeme Mulcahy pounces for the game’s opening goal.
GOAL FOR CLARE! Limerick 1-16 Clare 1-13 What a response! Aaron Cunningham does brilliantly to hang on to possession and he rifles a goal into the bottom corner.
RED CARD! Talk about an instant impact from Seanie Tobin — he’s only on the pitch seconds and he’s sent off for striking with the hurl.
It’s 14 men apiece now!
Limerick 1-17 Clare 1-14: Cian Lynch’s dream debut is continuing! Another fine score.
Limerick 1-18 Clare 1-14: Another Dowling free and Limerick now lead by four.
GOAL FOR CLARE! Clare 2-14 Limerick 1-18: AARON CUNNINGHAM AGAIN! This is quite possibly even better than his first goal — superb stick control and then a magnificent finish!
Clare are back to within a point with six minutes to play!
Limerick 1-18 Clare 2-15: Shane O’Donnell — who has been magnificent this afternoon — levels it! All square with four to play.
Limerick 1-19 Clare 2-15: Limerick sub John Fitzgibbon gives the Treaty men the lead. Just over 90 seconds left…
John Conlon wins the ball but Limerick dispossess Bobby Duggan
Pat O’Connor tries his luck from distance but it’s Clare’s 12th wide rather than the equaliser they need.
There’ll be one additional minute
Limerick wide. Thirty seconds to go.
Limerick win possession
FULL TIME: Limerick 1-19 Clare 2-15
That’s it. All over — and the Munster hurling championship has lived up to its billing. It wasn’t always a classic but it gave us one hell of a finish.
So it’s home advantage for Limerick in the Munster semi-finals. They will host Limerick on 21 June in the Gaelic Grounds.
For Clare and Davy, it’s the back door.
So that’s all from us for the moment but we’ll have lots more reaction and analysis across the evening. Thanks for reading.
