Clare hearts broken by three-goal Limerick salvo

A first Munster SHC victory in Ennis since 1990 was Limerick's reward for a remarkable final quarter backlash as the holders stunned Clare into submission in front a capacity 20,055 crowd in Ennis.

Nothing but a handsome home victory appeared likely when the Banner stretched their five-point half-time advantage to nine by the 52nd minute when resuming with five of the first six points including a brace of Mark Rodgers.

However, there would be an unprecedented sea-change as three goals in the space of seven minutes through Diarmaid Byrnes, Donnacha Ó Dalaigh and Aaron Gillane completed an emphatic twelve-point turnaround.

Outscoring their hosts by 3-06 to 0-03, starting with a fortuitious first goal from a Diarmaid Byrnes free from 65 metres that deceived everyone on its way to the net sparked the visitors into life in the 59th minute.

This was followed by two goals in a minute through substitute Ó Dalaigh and Gillane, both made by the excellent Gearóid Hegarty, ensured a spectacular first defence of their Munster and All-Ireland crowns.

Such a flooring defeat will be difficult to stomach for Brian Lohan’s home side, who seemed to only grow in confidence as the game developed. All that after a strong start by Limerick which saw Gillane denied twice on his way to goal in the first three minutes alone when building up a 0-04 to 0-02 lead.

Clare passed up a goal chance of their own as a Mark Rodgers surge and shot was parried by goalkeeper Nickie Quaid but thanks to Aidan McCarthy’s unerring accuracy from frees, Clare soon went into the ascendancy before soaring into the break when Shane O’Donnell centred to McCarthy to billow the roof of the net at 1-10 to 0-08.

A tentative start to the second period saw Limerick only score one in