Powerful Treaty blow away Banner

SEEKING to retain their Munster and All-Ireland titles, Limerick got this season’s campaign off to a flying start when they defeated Clare by 14 points at Cusack Park last evening.

Goals in the second half by Seamus Flanagan, Conor Boylan and substitute Mark O’Dwyer completed the rout.

Clare played almost the entire second period with just 14 men as corner-back Conor O’Halloran saw red for a striking offence on Limerick’s Darren O’Connell.

The Shannonsiders dominated preecedings in the opening half, yet only led by two (0-10 to 0-8) at the break.

With two minutes to go to the interval the visitors led by six but Clare replied with four points through Padraic O’Loughlin, Gary Cooney and two by Aidan McCarthy.

O’Halloran was dismissed within a minute of the restart and Clare’s hopes were dashed.

Limerick took matters into their own hands and with Brian Ryan in scoring form they bossed the game from there.

SCORERS – Limerick: B Ryan 0-6, B Murphy 0-5 (4fs), C Boylan , S Flanagan 1-2 each, M O’Dwyer 1-1, P O’Loughlin,DO’Connell(0-1)each.Clare: AMcCarthy 0-6 (6fs), G Cooney, P O’Loughlin 0-2 each, M Corry, S Conway, S O’Loughlin 0-1 each.

LIMERICK – JPower;BMcPartland,JAdams,JFlynn; DMinehan,KHayes(capt),TGrimes;PO’Loughlin,M Mackey; B Ryan, B Murphy, C Boylan; D O’Connell, S Flanagan,OO’Reilly. Subs: PAhernforO’Connell(43), WO’MearaforMinehan(49),MHoulihanforRyan(56), B Timmons for McPartland (57).

CLARE– KNugent;CO’Halloran,RHayes,BHiggins; D Ryan, J McCarthy (capt), P McNamara; M Corry, K Galvin;AMcCarthy,GCooney,SConway,JCarmody,C Guilfoyle, B Connors. Subs: PO’LoughlinforCarmody (21),SO’LoughlinforConway(29),LO’ConnorforCorry (h-t),CDarcyforGalvin(37),MO’SheaforConnors(51), M O’Dwyer for O’ Reilly (54).

REF – P Kelly (Tipperary).