Good afternoon and welcome along to our live coverage of the Munster senior hurling championship clash between Clare and Limerick from Thurles.
It’s the third successive year these two sides meet in the championship, with the Banner winning the All-Ireland qualifier last July.
Throw-in is at 4pm and we’ll have all the build up between now and then.
It’s a busy Sunday of championship action with four football and hurling ties down for decision. Three of them are already underway.
- Ulster SFC quarter-final Down 0-13 Armagh 2-5, Pairc Esler, 2pm
- Leinster SFC quarter-final: Louth 0-3 Meath 0-5, Parnell Park, 3pm
- Leinster SFC quarter-final: Laois 1-1 Kildare 0-4, O’Connor Park, 3pm
- Munster SHC semi-final Limerick v Clare, Semple Stadium, 4pm
Let’s take a look at the teams for this afternoon’s last four clash.
Limerick manager John Kiely is set to hand five players Munster senior debuts as he turns to the group who were involved in the 2015 All-Ireland U21 success under his watch.
The Casey brothers, Mike and Peter, David Dempsey, Sean Finn and Kyle Hayes are all named in the starting XV with only eight survivors from the team that exited last year’s championship at the hands of Clare in the qualifiers.
Limerick
1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)
2. Sean Finn (Bruff)
3. Richie McCarthy (Blackrock)
4. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
5. Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
6. Declan Hannon (Adare)
7. Seamus Hickey (Murroe/Boher)
8. Paul Browne (Bruff)
9. James Ryan (Garryspillane – captain)
10. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh)
11. David Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
12. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
13. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
15. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
Subs
16. Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock)
17. Richie English (Doon)
18. Gavin O Mahony (Kilmallock)
19. Tom Condon (Knockaderry)
20. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
21. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
22. Pat Ryan (Doon)
23. Darragh O Donovan (Doon)
24. Barry Nash (South Liberties)
25. Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen)
26. Alan Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh)
As for Clare, they’re boosted by the return of captain Patrick O’Connor and forward Conor McGrath for the showdown at Semple Stadium.
The pair missed the entire league campaign due to shoulder injuries and have been selected for their first competitive appearance of 2017.
The inclusion of that duo is part of four changes to the Clare team that defeated Dublin in April’s league relegation play-off in Ennis.
Clare
1. Andrew Fahy (Whitegate)
2. Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
3. David McInerney (Tulla)
4. Patrick O’Connor (Tubber – captain)
5. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)
6. Conor Cleary (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
7. Gearóid O’Connell (Ballyea)
8. Colm Galvin (Clonlara)
9. David Reidy (Éire Óg Inis)
10. Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
11. Podge Collins (Cratloe)
12. John Conlon (Clonlara)
13. Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)
14. Conor McGrath (Cratloe)
15. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg Inis)
Subs
16. Donal Tuohy (Crusheen)
17. Cian Dillon (Crusheen)
18. Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge)
19. Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)
20. Jason McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona)
21. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
22. Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
23. Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)
24. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
25. Cathal McInerney (Cratloe)
26. Brendan Bugler (Whitegate)
Glorious day in Thurles.
We’re nearly set at Semple Stadium so lets get your predictions. Which way do you see this one going?
Poll Results:
Before we start, it’s time for the national anthem.
We’re underway in Thurles!
Seamus Hickey rises and gathers brilliantly to win a free. Shane Dowling will have an early shot at goal here.
Limerick 0-1 Clare 0-0
With the wind at his back, Dowling strikes it sweetly and Limerick are up and running.
Limerick 0-2 Clare 0-0
Make that two for Dowling and two for Limerick. That was a superb strike and John Kiely’s men have made a bright start.
Limerick 0-2 Clare 0-1
Clare’s turn to respond and their first foray into opposition territory results in Conor McGrath dissecting the posts.
GOAL! Limerick 0-2 Clare 1-1 (O’Donnell)
Out of nowhere, Clare hit the front. The long ball falls perfectly for Shane O’Donnell and he clinically fires it low into the net past Nickie Quaid. Fantastic finish from the forward.
Our man Fintan O’Toole is in position at Semple Stadium as we bring you minute-by-minute coverage of this Munster SHC semi-final clash.
Limerick 0-2 Clare 1-2
The Banner extend their early lead as David Reidy fires over a free and Clare have responded brilliantly to those two opening scores from Shane Dowling. They lead by three after 10 minutes.
Limerick 0-3 Clare 2-2
After that fast start, nothing is sticking for Limerick at the moment and they just need to find the next score to settle into the contest — and that’s what they get as Paul Browne nails the sideline cut.
GOAL! Limerick 0-3 Clare 2-2 (O’Donnell)
A second goal in 13 minutes for Shane O’Donnell as he shows his pace to get away from the defence and after bearing down on goal, finishes emphatically past Quaid.
Limerick 0-3 Clare 2-3
O’Donnell is on fire this afternoon as he adds another score to his personal tally to stretch Clare’s lead to six points.
Limerick 0-3 Clare 2-4
Limerick are wasteful at one end, but Clare are so clinical at the other and Colm Galvin opens his account for the day.
Limerick 0-3 Clare 2-5
Two from two for David Reidy as another free sails over. Clare are really motoring.
Limerick 0-6 Clare 2-5
Limerick hit a purple patch as they reel off three points without reply to reduce the deficit with Cian Lynch scoring two.
GOAL! Limerick 1-6 Clare 2-5 (Dempsey)
Out of nothing, Limerick are back in this game! Lynch is once again heavily involved as he forces Andrew Fahy into a save but the Clare ‘keeper only deflects it into the path of David Dempsey, who fires it home.
Limerick’s tails are up and their supporters inside Semple are rising to the occasion too. A fine response from John Kiely’s men and now it’s just a two-point game.
Limerick 1-7 Clare 2-5
And Dowling brings his side to within a point with his third free of the day.
Limerick 1-8 Clare 2-5
We’re level! Limerick have brilliantly clawed their way back as Browne’s point means it’s now a goal and five without reply for the Treaty County.
The complexion of this whole game has changed and the balance of power has very much shifted in Limerick’s favour. Seven minutes until the break.
Limerick 1-8 Clare 2-6
Clare’s first score for 10 minutes puts them back in front and it’s a first of the day for Conor Cleary.
Limerick have done brilliantly to recover from a slow start but they’ve still hit 10 wides in the opening 31 minutes, as Dowling is the latest to be off target.
Limerick 1-8 Clare 2-7
Shane O’Donnell is given acres of space and he makes it look so easy as he fires over his second point of the afternoon. That’s now 2-2 for Clare’s sharpshooter.
Limerick 1-8 Clare 2-8
Three in a row now for Clare as we approach half time. They’ve re-established a three point lead.
Limerick 1-8 Clare 2-9
John Conlon with a superb individual score as he shows pace, power and precision to ensure Clare finish the first period with a flourish.
Half time! Limerick 1-8 Clare 2-10
A breathless and pulsating first half at Semple Stadium as Clare heading into the break with a five-point lead thanks largely to two brilliantly taken goals from Shane O’Donnell.
19,168 inside Semple Stadium this afternoon.
We’re back underway!
One change at half time for Limerick.
Limerick 1-9 Clare 2-10
David Dempsey is enjoying a fine championship debut and he opens the scoring in this second half with a superb score.
Limerick 1-10 Clare 2-10
David Reidy lines up his second free since the restart but with the wind behind him, he hits his second wide. At the other end, Nash makes an immediate impact with a wonderful strike off his left side to reduce the deficit further.
Another change for Limerick.
Limerick 1-10 Clare 2-11
Conlon settles Clare with an incredible strike from that far touchline and the Banner County’s lead is back to four points. Breathless stuff at Semple.
Limerick 1-11 Clare 2-11
Dowling converts a close-range free after a scrappy passage of play.
Limerick 1-11 Clare 2-12
But Clare are just maintaining that breathing space between the sides as McGrath notches his third of the afternoon.
GOAL! Limerick 1-12 Clare 3-12 (McGrath)
The Limerick defence is left ball watching and they allow it to bounce in the area, where McGrath is waiting to pounce and he duly slaps it into the net.
Limerick 1-13 Clare 3-12
Shane Dowling with another point and it just about keeps Limerick in touch. They trail by five points heading into the final quarter of this Munster SHC semi-final.
Limerick 1-13 Clare 3-13
David Reidy and then Jason McCarthy, who has just come off the bench, push Clare seven clear.
Limerick 1-13 Clare 3-15
Clare pulling clear now as Reidy finds his radar and notches another free.
Limerick 1-15 Clare 3-15
Dowling and then Hayes with points to keep the scoreboard ticking over for Limerick. They still trail by six with 13 minutes left.
Limerick 1-16 Clare 3-15
Limerick aren’t giving in just yet and they’re certainly not out of the contest as substitute Pat Ryan splits the posts and the gap is now five points. Twists and turns to come yet!
Limerick’s wide tally is now at 13 and that looks like costing them dearly this afternoon as the clock ticks towards 70.
Limerick 1-16 Clare 3-16
That’s probably the insurance point for Clare as Seadna Morey ventures forward and sends one high and between the posts.
Penalty! James McGrath points to the point despite being 80 yards away from play as Nickie Quaid is penalised for bundling Aaron Cunningham over in the area. Looks to be a bit harsh.
Missed! Tony Kelly steps up but he drills it WIDE and Limerick will feel justice is done there. They’re alive, but only just. Six points in it with three minutes to go.
GOAL! Limerick 2-16 Clare 3-17 (Hayes)
Hayes has been superb all afternoon and he caps his first championship start with a goal rifled into the bottom corner from range. Two minutes of added time to go and four points now separate the sides.
Clare aren’t making it easy for themselves but they’re just about home and dry now.
Full time! Limerick 2-16 Clare 3-17
So Clare advance to the Munster SHC final on 9 July where they’ll face either Waterford or Cork who meet in Thurles on 18 June.
Thanks for joining us and until next time, goodbye!
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