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Limerick find extra gear

Limerick 1-9  Clare 1-6: Limerick should have wrapped up victory in the McGrath Cup final earlier but their inability to score…

Mon Jan 26 2004 - 00:00

Limerick 1-9  Clare 1-6: Limerick should have wrapped up victory in the McGrath Cup final earlier but their inability to score despite plenty of possession left the game in the balance until the first period of extra-time at Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday.

The visitors dominated in midfield yet trailed by 1-3 to 0-2 at the break. Denis Russell provided Clare with all their first-half scores, kicking three points from frees as well as firing a goal from close range after 17 minutes. Stephen Kelly and Eoin Keating were Limerick's first-half scorers.

After the restart Limerick looked eager to make amends for their first-half display but the Clare defence continued to frustrate them throughout the third quarter. Eventually a goal by team captain Jason Stokes in the 48th minute gave the Limerick supporters in the 2,000-strong crowd hope. His long-range shot slipped through goalkeeper Dermot O'Brien's hands to reduce the deficit to one point.

Kelly equalised moments later before Mike O'Brien managed to put Limerick in front for the first time in the 54th minute. Late on Clare pulled one back through Alan Clohessy to send the game into extra time.

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Once Limerick pulled ahead with a Mark Keane point early on the outcome was inevitable. Before the break Muiris Gavin, whose accuracy was in question,regained his confidence and kicked three points to see Clare trail 1-9 to 1-5. Clare responded with a point from Kieran Considine but in the end Limerick held on to take the silverware.

LIMERICK : S O'Donnell; D Burke, J McCarthy, M O'Riordan; P Browne, S Lucey, D Reidy; J Stokes (capt, 1-0), T Carroll; S Kelly (0-2), M Gavin (0-4, 3 frees), C Mullane; M Horan, J Murphy, E Keating (0-1). Subs: D Sheehy for Burke; M O'Brien (0-1) for Murphy; M Keane (0-1) for Horan; C Hickey for Kelly, P Ahern for Gavin.

CLARE: D O'Brien; P Gallagher, C Whelan, C Kirwin; N Griffin, D Kelly, R Slattery; D O'Sullivan, G Quinlan; Denis Russell (1-3, 3 frees), A Clohessy (0-2, frees), B Considine; J Daly, M O'Shea (capt), K Considine (0-1). Subs: J Dowling for Daly; J Moody for Kelly, E Coughlan for Quinlan; B Harte for Denis Russell; David Russell for B Considine.

Referee: A Mangan (Kerry)