1. Clare’s winning feeling
If 2015 was defined by a series of disappointing defeats for Clare, then 2016 has began in a radically different fashion. They started the trend of triumphing early in the Munster senior league and then rounded off their Allianz Division 1B league campaign on a winning note this afternoon in Ennis.
The success over Limerick ensures they will shoot up into the top tier in the spring of 2017. The sending-off of Barry Nash was a body blow Limerick could not absorb today yet in truth Clare were the superior team.
They got to the pitch of the game from the outset, epitomised by that early John Conlon goal, and were it not for errant shooting and elaborating in attacking moves, then this could have been a far more convincing success. But ultimately it’s mission accomplished for the start of 2016 for Davy Fitzgerald’s side.
2. Limerick come up short in key test
With four wins on the bounce and a couple of eye-catching scoring totals (2-23 against Wexford and 6-29 against Laois), Limerick travelled to Cusack Park today in a good frame of mind. But in a key test, they could not get over the line against their fellow Division 1B heavyweights.
Shipping an early goal was costly and their defence looked shaky under aerial bombardments on several occasions. The sending-off of Barry Nash was a hammer blow as they could never claw back the scoreboard deficit with 14 men.
Despite the persistence of Declan Hannon and Paul Browne, Limerick could not pull Clare back in the second-half. Graeme Mulcahy found some room to sprint towards goal in the 59th minute but was crowded out by the Clare defence. Hannon flashed another shot wide under pressure with four minutes left.
They needed a goal in the second-half but it didn’t arrive. It was a frustrating afternoon for TJ Ryan’s side as they came up short.
3. McGrath and McInerney show their class
A pair of Clare players at opposite ends of the pitch showed their class today and their contributions were crucial. David McInerney, an Allstar winner for his play in the full-back line at 2013, was in explosive form as a defensive sweeper and he frequently surged from the back to be the launchpad for Clare’s attacks. His display secured the TG4 man-of-the-match award.
Conor McGrath would have pushed him close. Clare hit 0-11 from play today and McGrath was responsible for five of those. He was the classiest attacker on view with his ability to discover space to pick off points. That scoring salvo was instrumental for Clare on a day when they shot 19 wides.
4. Limerick’s agony is prolonged
For the sixth straight season Limerick have failed to clamber out of the second division of league hurling. It’s a dispiriting sequence for the county. In 2011 they did secure promotion but post-season GAA changes to the league structure saw Limerick become the unfortunate victims.
Since then there have been hard-luck stories like their one-point loss to Dublin in Thurles in 2013, draws against Cork and Offaly in 2014, and a defeat to Offaly last year.
Today represented a fine chance to jump up to the top level but they couldn’t seal the deal. A Munster title win in 2013 and a fine 2014 campaign that saw them push Kilkenny all the way in the All-Ireland semi-final, offers proof that Limerick can still have a prosperous summer. But there’s no masking the disappointment at this result.
5. Relief for Wexford
Shane Tomkins late intervention today will have resulted in a feeling of relief washing over the Wexford hurling camp. That last-gasp point handed them a 0-22 to 0-21 win over Laois as they narrowly avoided a relegation final place.
After the summer heroics of 2014 and recent U21 progress, contesting a Division 1B relegation final would have been a sign of regression by Liam Dunne’s men. They’ll be grateful to have avoided that showdown and to have the chance of a tilt at home to Waterford in the last eight.
6. Another big win for Kerry
Kerry ended the day in a relegation final but they gave themselves a fighting chance of reaching the knockout stages with another big win over a Midlands outfit. Ciaran Carey’s side began Division 1B life with an opening win over Laois, and while there has been some tough outings since then, today’s victory against Offaly is another source of encouragement.
They must take on Laois now to beat the drop and if they lose that will have another chance to secure their status against either Carlow or Westmeath. Hurling in Division 1B in 2017 would be a boost for Kerry and today’s win will create optimism for the engagements ahead.
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