LIMERICK and Clare still have each other by the lapels. Occasionally a match exists in a context no broader than the rivalry between the two teams playing it. Since 1994 or so Clare and Limerick's feelings for each other are undiminished, regardless of the circumstances under which they meet. Both teams measure their progress and well being with reference to each other.

No surprise, then, that 15,100 - cunningly disguised as a far bigger crowd - turned up at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday to watch the latest chapter of this epic rivalry. The league points were shared, both sides departed with their pride intact. Roll on high summer.

Yesterday's draw was played at a level just a notch below championship intensity. League fare doesn't come much better.

Several times in the second half the affection these teams have for each other (stoked by a lively challenge some weeks ago) found physical expression. None of the dust ups would have been considered worthy of comment in a Gaelic football game, but for hurling followers they made quite a spectacle.

Limerick will probably be best pleased this morning. They nicked a draw which the balance of play suggested they didn't deserve. More importantly, they pulled off the felony against the odds. They started with perhaps the youngest set of forwards they have fielded in living memory and they survived.

Limerick have more cards in their deck. Come the summer we can expect that Gary Kirby's enormous presence will be restored. Pat Heffernan is back and scored 1-7 in a challenge against Tipperary eight days ago, but was absent due to holidays yesterday. His beef and bravery will enhance the full forward line. Meanwhile, Ger Hegarty is continuing his comeback with Old Christians.

Clare, meanwhile, were playing at something closer to full strength and the dimensions of their potential were evident during several glorious patches of play they strung together early in either half.

Sean McMahon and TJ Ryan exchanged early points before Clare got into their gallop stringing together five points from play in the next 11 minutes.

Limerick struggled through the first quarter looking rusty and distracted. Clare meanwhile established their physical credentials in incidents which saw Barry Foley and Mike Nash needing treatment.

The residual confidence that even a two year old All Ireland win leaves was evident in all aspects of Clare's play during this period.

PJ O'Connell chased a ball down on the left touchline and popped it over the bar from 50 yards out without a pause for thought. Jamesie O'Connor buzzed about spring heeled as always and ruthless enough to take the scalpel to the Limerick defence whenever the chance arose. In midfield the youth and muscle of Ronan O'Hara and Ollie Baker had yet to bow to Mike Houlihan's bustling persistence and Ollie Moran's enthusiasm.

Having led by five points after 15 minutes Clare will have gone to the break wondering how the game could have ebbed sufficiently for Limerick to be just a goal off the pace.

Houlihan had begun to batter about the place. Barry Foley was nipping about and the Limerick half back line, all aggression and drive, were belatedly becoming a key element in driving the tide of the game.

Dave Clarke, in particular, began winning a lot of ball out in front of PJ O'Connell.

Limerick had the first two scores of the second hall, both achieved through the industry of David Hennessy and Barry Foley. If either of these ever get the knack of switching on for the full 60 or 70 minutes they will be legends. For the moment, however, they are to Limerick what flashes of lightning are to a storm.

The game swung for the third quarter with Clare doing enough to preserve their half time lead. O'Connor fractionally mis hit a shot for goal and then just a couple of minutes later Limerick conjured up a splendid goal.

Ciaran Carey handpassed to Dave Clarke who under pressure pulled overhead beautifully and drove the ball downfield. Barry Foley submitted a flash of lightning, deflecting the ball into the path of David Hennessy, who had scooted clear and had only to finish to the net to consummate the best move of the game.

Thereafter the skirmishing started, but once again Clare managed to keep their eyes on the road, scoring the next two points. In remembrance of comebacks past Limerick switched Ciaran Carey with Mike Houlihan. The final two scores of the game came from more conventional sources, however, James Moran striking a lovely point having been set up by a Carey pass and Mike Houlihan driving over another free, which set the Limerick crowd purring with satisfaction.

"Both teams will be very happy," said Ger Loughnane having seen his side deliver 40 minutes worth of what they are capable of. "People have been shaking their heads asking was that a league game or a championship game. It looked more like a championship game. Hard to believe that it's still only March."

That's the trick, though remembering that it is only March and there are many twists ahead.