Sport

Ryan's 3-9 gives Clare timely lift

Clare 4-22 Limerick 2-13: CLARE LOOKED sharp in Cusack Park, Ennis last night.

Thu Jul 16 2009 - 01:00

Clare 4-22 Limerick 2-13:CLARE LOOKED sharp in Cusack Park, Ennis last night.

In a keenly contested opening half, the hosts had the better of the exchanges – going in at half-time 2-14 to 2-7 in front.

Clare led by a single score after seven minutes, but a defensive error gave Limerick forward Shane O’Donnell the sliotar and he delivered it to Tommy O’Brien who rattled the net. But the home side responded immediately and corner forward Darach Honan sent a low shot past Limerick goalkeeper Barry Hennessy.

And Clare got their second goal in the 11th minute when senior star Colin Ryan scored from the edge of the square.

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The Banner enjoyed a 2-10 to 1-7 advantage by the 26th minute, before a Shane O’Donnell goal for the visitors. Undaunted, Clare hit some late first-half points to establish a healthy lead at the break.

From then on it was one-way traffic. Ryan put in an excellent performance and two more goals for the Newmarket man sealed Limerick’s fate. He goaled eight minutes after the break and fired a penalty home in the 41st minute.

CLARE: D Tuohy; J Gunning, E Glynn, C O’Doherty; D O’Donovan, C Duggan, E Barrett; N O’Connell (0-2, one free), L Markham (0-1); J Conlon, S Collins (0-1), C ODonovan (0-2); D Honan (1-4), C Morey (0-2), C Ryan (3-9, 0-5 from frees, 1-0 from pen). Subs: C Quinn (0-1) for Markham (39 mins); E Hayes for Morey (52); P Kelly for Barrett (53); C Tierney for Collins (55); C McGrath for Honan (58).

LIMERICK: B Hennessy; B Moloney, D Lynch, J Riordan; B Quinn, P Begley, P O’Loughlin; N Quiad, J Mann; G Mulcahy, B O’Brien (0-1), P Browne (0-2); T O’Brien (1-2, 0-1 from a free), S Tobin (0-7, all frees), S ODonnell (1-1). Subs: P O’Brien for Riordan (24 mins); B O’Sullivan for Mann (half-time); D Hannon for O’Loughlin (34); J Hayes for Lynch (42); M Kiely for O’Donnell (57).

Referee: C McAllister (Cork).