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2023 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final – Limerick 1-23 Clare 1-22

June 11, 2023 @ 1:45 pm - 4:00 pm

Limerick defeated Clare by 1-23 to 1-22 in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final on Sunday June 11th at the TUS Gaelic Grounds Limerick.

Match Highlights

Munster SHC Final: Limerick triumph after another Clare classic

LIMERICK 1-23 CLARE 1-22

Report By Tom Clancy at TUS Gaelic Grounds for GAA.ie

Limerick secured their 24th Munster title, and five in as many seasons, with a one-point win over familiar foes Clare. The result avenges their one-point defeat to the Banner in April, at the same venue. Late points from Cathal O’Neill pushed Limerick clear and despite a Tony Kelly score, the Banner couldn’t find the levelling score.

Limerick become only the second county to achieve that remarkable five-in-a-row in the province, matching the Cork side of 1975 -1979. John Kiely has now overseen five Munster successes, three league titles and four All Ireland wins since taking charge in 2017 – all without losing any of the 12 finals they have contested.

Over 43,000 supporters attended a sold-out TUS Gaelic Grounds, there was a jovial and excited crowd in situ long before referee Liam Gordon threw the ball in. These sides played a classic in Thurles 12 months ago, with Limerick needing extra-time to defeat their neighbours on that occasion.

In a frantic clash, it was Clare who looked the sharper early on – able to find space in the Limerick defence, with Aidan McCarthy and Tony Kelly prominent. When the space wasn’t there, there was efforts from Diarmuid Ryan and Cathal Malone from distance.

Trailing to the opening pair of Limerick points, four on the trot put Clare into the ascendancy.

It was an opening half where Aaron Gillane led the Limerick charge, with seven points, including two from play. He was assisted by Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes.

The opening goal arrived on 31 minutes as a Kelly shot from halfway, rebounded off the upper post. Rodgers was sharpest on the break and tidied it up with a nice finish from close range.

First half goal for Clare by Mark Rodgers

Clare went for another goal as half-time approached, with Ryan Taylor passing to Rodgers, who had is effort saved by Nickie Quaid.

Gillane pointed late in the half, as the Banner led 1-11 to 0-11 at half-time.

Limerick took control in the third quarter, with Aaron Gillane’s goal crucial. He collected a David Reidy delivery before bouncing a shot beyond Eibhear Quilligan.

Second half goal for Limerick by Aaron Gillane

The Feakle stopper denied Gillane another moments later but Reidy and Morrissey kept the scoreboard moving.

Trailing by five, 1-19 to 1-14 with 15 to play, Lohan’s men were able to inch back into the contest, with David Fitzgerald and Ian Galvin getting points. But Limerick always held the late lead and sub O’Neill pushed them two clear in stoppage time. The champions held on despite the Clare pressure.

For Clare they face into an All-Ireland quarter-final against the winner of Carlow and Dublin, who meet next weekend. The champions will break until Saturday July 8th, when they play the All-Ireland semi-final.

Interview with Man of the Match Aaron Gillane

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 1-11 (0-8 frees); Tom Morrissey, David Reidy 0-3 each; Cathal O’Neill 0-2; Darragh O’Donovan, Tom Morrissey, Kyle Hayes, Adam English 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Tony Kelly 0-6 (0-2 frees); Mark Rodgers 1-2; Aidan McCarthy 0-4 (0-3 frees); Shane O’Donnell, David Fitzgerald, Ian Galvin 0-2 each; Cathal Malone, Diarmuid Ryan, Ryan Taylor, Aron Shanagher 0-1 each.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid, Mike Casey, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon (C), Kyle Hayes; Darragh O’Donovan, William O’Donoghue; Gearoid Hegarty, David Reidy, Tom Morrissey; Graeme Mulcahy, Seamus Flanagan, Aaron Gillane.
Subs: Peter Casey for Mulcahy (47), Colin Coughlan for Hannon (55), Richie English for M. Casey (57), Cathal O’Neill for T. Morrissey (57), Adam English for O’Donovan (blood 62 – 63), Adam English for Flanagan (65).

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Cian Nolan, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Aidan McCarthy; Ryan Taylor, Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers.
Subs: Shane Meehan for McCarthy (45), Seadna Morey for Nolan (50), Aron Shanagher for Duggan (57), Ian Galvin for Meehan (65), Paul Flanagan for Hayes (68).

Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)

Pre-Match Entertainment

Team News

CLARE: E Quilligan; A Hogan, C Cleary, R Hayes; D Ryan, J Conlon, D McInerney; D Fitzgerald, C Malone; P Duggan, T Kelly, A McCarthy; R Taylor, S O’Donnell, M Rodgers

LIMERICK: N Quaid; M Casey, D Morrissey, B Nash; D Byrnes, D Hannon, K Hayes; D O’Donovan, W O’Donoghue; G Hegarty, C O’Neill, T Morrissey; A Gillane, S Flanagan, P Casey.

Match Programme

Pick up a copy of the 68 page souvenir match programme on Sunday for 5 euro.

Ticket Information

SOLD OUT – the public allocation of 11,000 terrace tickets which went on sale at 12 noon today (Thursday) via Ticketmaster and participating Centra and Supervalu outlets for the Munster Hurling Final have now sold out.

Stand tickets and the remaining terrace tickets will be distributed through the participating County Boards only.

Limerick are bidding to win the Munster title for the 24th time; Clare are seeking their seventh success. They meet in the final for a second successive year; Limerick won by three points after extra time last year. Clare won three and lost one of their four Munster games this year. Limerick won two, drew one and lost one of their four games.

HOW THEY REACHED THE FINAL

CLARE
• Tipperary 5-22 Clare 3-23
• Clare 1-24 Limerick 2-20
• Clare 2-22 Waterford 0-16
• Clare 2-22 Cork 3-18

Top Scorers
1. Tony Kelly……………….2-22 (0-8 frees, 1-0 pen, 0-1 ‘65’)
2. Aidan McCarthy………1-23 (0-12 frees, 0-3 ‘65s’)
3. Mark Rodgers……………2-4 (0-1 s/l)
4. Ryan Taylor………………0-6
5. Diarmuid Ryan…………..0-6
6. Shane O’Donnell…………0-6

LIMERICK:
• Limerick 1-18 Waterford 0-19
• Clare 1-24 Limerick 2-20
• Limerick 0-25Tipperary 0-25
• Limerick 3-25 Cork 1-30

Top Scorers
1. Aaron Gillane…………0-25 (0-16 frees)
2. Diarmuid Byrnes……..1-16 (0-19 frees, 1-0 pen)
3. Seamus Flanagan……..4-5
4. Tom Morrissey………..0-12 (0-1 free)
5. Cathal O’Neill…………..1-7

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS
• 2023: Clare 1-24 Limerick 2-20 (Munster ‘round robin’)
• 2022: Limerick 1-29 Clare 0-29 aet (Munster final)
• 2022: Limerick 1-21 Clare 0-24 (Munster ‘round robin’)
• 2020: Limerick 0-36 Clare 1-23 (Munster quarter-final)
• 2019: Limerick 1-28 Clare 0-13 (Munster ‘round robin’)

LAST FIVE MUNSTER FINAL MEETINGS
• 2022: Limerick 1-29 Clare 0-29 aet
• 1995: Clare 1-17 Limerick 0-11
• 1994: Limerick 0-25 Clare 2-10
• 1981: Limerick 3-12 Clare 2-9
• 1974: Limerick 6-14 Clare 3-9

*Limerick are bidding to win the Munster title for a fifth successive year. Cork (1982-86) were the last to win the Munster five-in-a-row.

*Clare last won the Munster title in 1998. They have lost five finals since then.

*This will be the 60th championship game between the counties. Limerick won 37 to Clare’s 20 with two draws, from the previous 59.

*This will be the third big clash between Clare and Limerick this year. Limerick won the Allianz League tie (1-27 to 2-18); Clare won the Munster Round Robin game by 1-24 to 2-20.

*John Kiely is in his seventh season as Limerick manager. Their championship record in that period reads: Played 35; Won 25, Drew 3, Lost 7.

*Brian Lohan is in his fourth year as Clare manager. Their championship record in that period reads: Played 21, Won 13, Drew 1, Lost 7.

*Munster SHC titles (last year won in brackets): Cork 54 (2018); Tipperary 42 (2016); Limerick 23 (2022); Clare 6 (1998); Kerry 1 (1891)

Munster Senior Hurling Final Venue Confirmed

Following a meeting today of the CCC of the Munster Council, it has been agreed that the Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final between Clare and Limerick will take place at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Sunday June 11th at 1:45 pm.

This decision follows a request from Clare to the Munster Council CCC on Monday evening of May 29th to postpone making a decision on the venue to allow Clare time to explore the possibility of playing the game at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Earlier, Clare had proposed Semple Stadium, while Limerick had proposed Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Munster Council CCC agreed to postpone making their decision, and today Clare and Limerick have confirmed that they had reached agreement to play the game at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The 1:45 pm throw in time is to facilitate live TV and the possibility of extra time. The Leinster Final throws in at 4 pm.

Stand tickets will be distributed through participating County Boards only, while terrace tickets will be going on sale to the general public on Thursday June 1st at 12 Noon

END OF STATEMENT

Dermot ” Weeshie ” Lynch
Munster GAA PRO OCP, Comhairle na Mumhan

Details

Date:
June 11, 2023
Time:
1:45 pm - 4:00 pm

Venue

TUS Gaelic Grounds

GAA Units

Clare GAA
Cork GAA
Kerry GAA
Limerick GAA
Tipperary GAA
Waterford GAA
US GAA