Limerick 1-27; Clare 2-18
The chase for history starts here for Limerick as they go in search of four Liam McCarthy title in a row and five in six years - heady times indeed on Shannonside for Liam Kiely's men and the large band of supporters who have come to enjoy the annual expeditions to Croke Park to collect the supreme silverware on offer in the hurling world.
Kiely has kept the panel fresh year on year by introducing new blood while also seeking to rehabilitate star players sidelined the previous year with action as the new season gets under way.
Following their rare loss to Cork in the first round, it was back to winning way against neighbors Clare before over 15,500 fans at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday. True to form, the manager saluted the display of Michaél Houlihan, son of former midfielder Mike, who announced himself at this level with 0-12 as his part of the action.
Significant too was the re-introduction of former two-time Hurler of the Year, Cian Lynch, who was captain for the day and Peter Casey, who lit up the All Ireland of 2021 before having to leave with a cruciate injury which kept him out for virtually all of last year.
Young Houlihan was on fire from the start and with early scores to his name from play. He then took over the free-taking responsibilities when David Reidy was forced off injured. All of which was grist to the mill surely for Kiely, who knows he must put pressure on his all conquering squad from within to keep their achievement levels at the heights they have attained in the past half a dozen years. For the record the youngster made several scores, including the creation of the 66th minute goal for Donnacha O Dalaigh and ended up with a dozen white flags to his own name.
As if Kiely's cornucopia of riches wasn't enough, there were excellent showings too from Shane O'Brien while Ciaran Barry blooded well as a late replacement to the starting xv.
On the other side, the return of Lynch and Casey was a fillip any county boss would welcome with open arms while Kyle Hayes tore up trees from the half-back line with three points the icing on the cake in his performance.
To be fair to Clare, they were much changed from what manager Brian Lohan had originally submitted as his match day panel with the likes of Tony Kelly, John Conlon, Brandon O’Connell, and Keith Smyth not on duty either as starting members or subs.
This meant the Banner was at sixes and sevens for much of the opening half and didn't score from play at all for 18 minutes as the Limerick backs dominated.
It was 0-10 to 0-4 when the visitors first score from play was struck. Would you believe it was the 54th minute before Lohan's men had their third score from play, to leave the score 0-24 to 1-9. That was a 12 point margin and while Clare whittled it back to six by game's end, this was a classic case of the winners taking their foot off the gas in the closing stages, during which clare found scores easier to come by.
Afterwards Kiely was trying to find fault to keep his players' on terra firma. "We'll be happy with 80 per cent of it. We controlled the game for good long periods. The last 12-15 minutes was disappointing. We had a very commanding lead and we finished six up in the finish, so disappointed with the last 10 or 12 minutes but maybe that's a reflection that we've a bit more work to go and do," he stressed.
However, he reserved praise for player of the match Micheál Houlihan who enjoyed a dream debut with a 12-point haul. Referring to the personnel on view, he added: "It was great to get a lot of other lads back on the field tonight, Cian's first start back in, Peter's first start back in and a couple of young lads got their game as well. So a positive outing for us but still lots to work on. They're going to have to show in training that they're ready for the start and that they're on form.” he emphasized.
LIMERICK: N Quaid; F O’Connor, R English, S Finn; C Barry, D Morrissey, K Hayes (0-3); D O’Donovan, D Reidy; G Hegarty (0-2), C Lynch (capt) (0-1), M Houlihan (0-12, 0-8f); S O’Brien (0-2), S Flanagan, P Casey (0-3) Subs: A English (0-2) for Reidy (8 inj), A Costello for O’Connor (31 inj), D Ó Dálaigh (1-0) for O’Brien (52), T Morrissey (0-2) for Hegarty (53), G Mulcahy for Lynch (61), J Quilty for Hayes (66).
CLARE: E Quilligan; R Hayes, C Cleary (capt), S Morey (0-1); D Ryan (0-1), D McInerney, A Fitzgerald; C Malone, P Donnellan; D Fitzgerald (0-1), D Conroy, A McCarthy (0-13, 0-9f); M Rodgers, P Duggan, I Galvin (1-0) Subs: R Mounsey for Rodgers (27-30, blood), R Mounsey for Donnellan (31), A Shanagher for I Galvin (50), C Galvin for A Fitzgerald (50), D Reidy (1-02) for Rodgers (57), C Leen for D Fitzgerald (59).
Ref: J Owens (Wexford).
Tipperary 2-24; Kilkenny 1-21
They are as traditional and as appetizing as apple pie and ice-cream, but that doesn't make encounters between these old rivals any less relevant or fierce as fans saw at Nowlan Park on Sunday. However, the post-Cody era began with a rare home defeat for Derek Lyng's side against a Liam Cahill-inspired squad that look like they are up for the challenge both in league and championship this season.
Minus most of the Ballyhale Shamrocks contingent, Lyng won't lose too much sleep over this reverse, though he will note that there isn't the same level of quality coming through as was the case at the zenith of the Cody years of supremacy.
Tipp on the other hand have been easy pickings these past few seasons despite the best efforts of Liam Sheedy; but former Waterford Manager Cahill looks like the Ten Hag of the hurling world in the way he is dropping big names and letting players know that if they don't produce, they won't play the next day.
This game was his first big test and with Jason Forde his scoring orchestrator in chief, he had few worries as his side won more easily than the six points margin might suggest.
By the long whistle, the corner forward had accounted for 1-15 of his side's 2-24 total - a great day's work in any sporting context.
What will worry Cahill as he works his charges over the free week off is that they racked up 19 wides over the game - a luxury that was ok on the day but will come back to haunt them when there are fiercer battles raging.
The game was as good as done by half-time with the Premier ahead by 2-13 to 0-7. Martin Keoghan goal for the hosts 13 minutes from time was the only big cheer of the day for the home following though when Billy Drrennan added two quick frees, he reduced the deficit to four points and it looked like one of the Cats' famous late comebacks might again be on the cards.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man and once Forde slotted over three points in 100 seconds and that put an end to such idle speculation once and for all.
Div 1
Limerick 1-27; Clare 2-18
Waterford 2-31; Laois 2-19
Dublin 0-28; Antrim 2-19
Tipperary 2-24; Kilkenny 1-21
Cork 4-24; Galway 2-22
Wexford 2-23; Westmeath 1-15
