3-18 to 0-13.
You wouldn’t put that down as a Munster championship scoreline. You wouldn’t have it for a west coast derby.
But 14 points was the difference in Cusack Park as Limerick’s under-21s swatted aside Clare right out of their own backyard and cruised into the provincial semi-final.
A decade on from when the Banner begun a period of underage dominance that also coincided with All-Ireland senior success, it was the Treaty county who asserted their authority in Ennis and it was Brian Ryan once again to the fore.
Ryan was the star of the Limerick minor team who fell to Tipp in the All-Ireland final two years ago despite scoring 11 points that day in Croke Park but he’s embarking on yet another journey and his six scores helped put Clare to the sword in the Munster quarters during a man of the match display.
Goals from Seamus Flanagan, Conor Boylan and Mark O’Dwyer did the majority of the damage in what was nothing short of a blitzing but it was big Paddy O’Loughlin in the middle of the field who had midfielders, traditionalists and purists alike drooling right out of the sides of their mouths with such a simple piece of play – and still so beautiful.
With one colossal catch, one drive and one clean strike, O’Loughlin produced a glorious throwback for real hurlers to appreciate.
Above his head, up off the ground, back arching, strong right hand. A catch to mirror the best of them down through the ages and a finish as ruthless as the rest of his teammates’.
Paddy O'Loughlin with a lovely take and score for Limerick! pic.twitter.com/HCn8nS4TiG
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 7, 2018
That wasn’t the only fun Limerick had though. In a dynamic attacking display, they were full value for their victory.
Limerick have beaten Clare in the U21 Munster Quarter-Final. Check out the full-time highlights here! pic.twitter.com/PV0fCwTaAz
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 7, 2018
Scorers for Limerick: Brian Ryan 0-6, Seamus Flanagan 1-2, Conor Boylan 1-2, Barry Murphy 0-5 (4fs), Mark O’Dwyer 1-1, Darren O’Connell 0-1, Paddy O’Loughlin 0-1.
Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 0-6 (6fs), Gary Cooney 0-2, Padraic O’Loughlin 0-2, Michael Corry 0-1, Steven Conway 0-1, Sean O’Loughlin 0-1.
LIMERICK: Jamie Power; Brian McPartland, Josh Adams, John Flynn; Daniel Minehan, Kyle Hayes, Thomas Grimes; Paddy O’Loughlin, Mike Mackey; Brian Ryan, Barry Murphy, Conor Boylan; Darren O’Connell, Seamus Flanagan, Oisin O’Reilly.
Subs: Paudi Ahern for O’Connell (44), Willie O’Meara for Minehan (50), Mark O’Dwyer for O’Reilly (54), Micheál Houlihan for Ryan (57), Brian Timmins for McPartland (57).
CLARE: Killian Nugent; Bradley Higgins, Ross Hayes, Conor O’Halloran; Diarmuid Ryan, Jason McCarthy, Pauric McNamara; Michael Corry, Kieran Galvin; Steven Conway, Gary Cooney, Aidan McCarthy; Joe Carmody, Colin Guilfoyle, Billy Connors.
Subs: Padraic O’Loughlin for Carmody (21), Sean O’Loughlin for Conway (30), Liam O’Connor for Corry (half-time), Cathal Darcy for Galvin (39), Michael O’Shea for Connors (51).
