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Big breakthrough for Clare minor footballers who reach a first Munster final since 1994

Seamus Clancy’s Banner outscored Limerick by 2-8 to 0-2 in the second half.

Image: Tommy Grealy/INPHO

Clare 3-13

Limerick 0-12

Peter O’Connell reports from the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick

FOR THE FIRST time since 1994 a Clare minor football team will represent the county in a Munster final.

The Seamus Clancy managed Banner, put in a terrific second half display in front of a crowd of 1,007, outscoring Limerick 2-8 to 0-2 in that second half.

Limerick led 0-10 to 1-5 at half-time, with 0-9 of their tally kicked from open play and at that stage they looked to have a great chance of reaching their first final since 1998.

However second half goals from the outstanding Gavin Cooney and substitute Ross O’Doherty sealed the win for Clare for whom full back Jayme O’Sullivan was outstanding. Limerick’s best player, Rory O’Brien was their only second half scorer with 0-2.

Clare made the better start and led 1-2 to 0-2 after just five minutes. Wing back Diarmuid Ryan put over the games first score with Gearóid Cahill adding to that from play. Set up by Gavin Cooney, Paudie Kelly palmed a fifth minute goal to the Limerick net. The home county had put over points from Padraig Power and corner forward Seán Ryan.

However once Limerick got to grips with Clare they kicked some sublime scores with wing forward Rory O’Brien pointing 0-4. Clare were held scoreless for a 10 minute spell, until Gavin Cooney angled over a free from an acute angle.

An O’Brien brace left Limerick leading by two points at half-time. Limerick were marginal favourites at half-time but Clare used their time in the interval dressing room effectively and took the game to Limerick throughout the second half.

Scorers for Clare: Gavin Cooney (1-6, 2f), Paudie Kelly (1-2, 1 45), Ross O’Doherty (1-0) Gearóid Cahill, Diarmuid Ryan (0-2 each), Dermot Coughlan (0-1).

Scorers for Limerick: Rory O’Brien (0-6, 2f), Seán Ryan (0-2), Karl Moloney, Barry Coleman, Adam Costelloe, Padraig Power (0-1 each).


1. Mark Lillis (Cooraclare)

2. Jack Sheedy (St Breckan’s)
3. Jayme O’Sullivan (Wolfe Tones)
4. Joe Miniter (Kilrush)

5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6. Fergal Donnellan (Cooraclare)
7. Keith Whyte (Inagh-Kilnamona)

8. Conor McMahon (Cratloe)
9. Danny Griffin (Éire Óg)

10. Paudie Kelly (St Breckan’s)
11. Sean Rouine (Ennistymon)
12. Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

13. Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg)
14. Ciaran O’Donoghue (Cooraclare)
15. Gearoid Cahill (Corofin)


21. Conor Dillon (Ennistymon) for Conor McMahon (half-time),
18. Ross O’Doherty (Ennistymon) for Ciaran O’Donoghue (40),
17. Rian Considine (Cratloe) for Gearóid Cahill (55),
20. Aaron O’Brien (St Breckan’s) for Danny Griffin (58)
Billy Clancy (Kilrush) for Dermot Coughlan (59).


1. Cian Walsh (St Senan’s)

2. Mark Quinlan (Galbally)
3. Eoin Burke (St. Kieran’s)
4. Cillian Ferris (Ballysteen)

5. Padraig Power (Rathkeale)
6. Jack Fitzgerald (Adare)
7. James Cummins (Galbally)

8. Karl Moloney (Crecora/Manister)
9. Liam Kennedy (St. Kieran’s)

10. Barry Coleman (Rathkeale)
13. Adam Costolloe (Banogue)
12. Rory O Brien (Fr. Caseys)

11. Noel Callanan (St. Kieran’s)
14. Colm Moran (Mungret/St. Paul’s)
15. Sean Ryan (Athea)

18. David Burke (Mungret St Paul’s) for Noel Callahan (47)
23. Calvin Moran (St. Patricks) for Seán Ryan (51)
17. Paul Collins (Crecora/Manister) for Adam Costelloe (56)

Referee: Colm McManus (David Murnane, Cork).


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About the author:

Peter O'Connell

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