Hurling: Limerick advance with ease
Limerick 0-23 Clare 0-09
14-man Limerick defeated Clare with surprising ease to qualify for the semi-final of the Allianz National Hurling League at Semple Stadium, Thurles today.
Limerick controlled the game all the way through. They led 0-10 to 0-04 at half-time after playing with the wind.
Main talking point in a lacklustre first half was the sending off of Limerick's Sean O'Connor.
He was dismissed for a second yellow card offence in the 23rd minute.
The expected Clare challenge in the second half did not materialise.
Limerick continued to dictate with some sweet point-taking and could afford the luxury of withdrawing key men like Ciaran Carey, TJ Ryan and Mark Keane towards the end.
Mark Foley was the star of this impressive Limerick showing. Mark Keane, Barry Foley, Brian Geary and Brian Begley were others to shine.
It was a disappointing performance by Clare, who have a lot of work to do before the championship.
The Lohan brothers, Sean McMahon and David Forde were their best players.
