Limerick dominate Clare in Gaelic Grounds victory

Micheál Houlihan enjoyed a dream debut as his 12 points helped Limerick to steamroll Clare for the best part of an hour before the Banner added some late respectability to what was a six-point hammering.

The son of former Limerick midfielder Mike couldn't have imagined a better first day out in the number 12 jersey before the 15,521 in attendance. He had three points from play inside seven minutes and set up another for Cian Lynch in between.

A minute later, he was the Limerick free-taker when David Reidy went off injured. He missed two of his first three placed balls but still ended with 0-12, eight frees.

His finest moment of magic came in the 66th minute, though. His over-the-head flick sent Adam English into space and he squared for Donnacha Ó Dálaigh to score his first goal for Limerick.

Shane O’Brien was another to impress on his first start, scoring two points and winning three frees for Houlihan to tap over. Ciarán Barry (a late replacement for Colin Coughlan, who twisted his ankle during the week) also got his first league start, while Fergal O’Connor’s outing ended when receiving a knock to the head before half-time.

There were more established stars returning too, with Lynch named captain for his first start in 10 months and Peter Casey back for a first start since the 2021 All-Ireland final, while Kyle Hayes scored three points on his return to the half-back line.

Clare made six changes to their matchday panel announced on Friday night. Rory Hayes and Paddy Donnellan came in to start while on the bench, Tony Kelly, John Conlon, Brandon O’Connell, and Keith Smyth didn’t tog out.

In an almost carbon copy of last week’s first-half scoreline against Cork, Limerick levelled their opponents for 0-16 while conceding eight