CLARE BOSS BRIAN Lohan was left floored by his team’s defending in the final quarter at Ennis as a winning position slipped away in their opening Munster tie.
Having restricted champions Limerick to just nine point in the opening three quarters of the game, Clare’s form collapsed in the finale as they leaked three costly goals.
“Three shocking goals from our perspective. Very disappointing. They happen sometimes and we have to respond to it now, see if we can.
“Goals change matches. They got a couple of handy ones and that was the difference. Poor defending, which we’re disappointed with.”
The bright spots in Clare’s display were difficult for Lohan to focus on considering the manner in which the game concluded and they must shift focus to next Sunday’s round two trip away to Cork.
“Very hard to see it when you perform so poorly in the last 15 minutes. We did a lot of things that we hoped that we would do. Performed well for long periods of the game but didn’t see it out. Losing the game that it looked like we were in control.
“A very poor display from us last year (in their first game) but we can take a lot of positives from last year as well. We’re very disappointed to lose a home game particularly having played so well for long periods.”
Three shocking goals indeed, but not as shocking as Colm Lyons performance.
@Colm O’Sullivan: he was appalling, worst I’ve ever seen, it’s a tough job but….
@Colm O’Sullivan: explain please
@Colm O’Sullivan: Ref was fine, it’s absolutely PATHETIC how some people have to always go for the ref after a game. Congrats limerick on a great win.
@Michael Kennedy: In fairness he favoured Clare and hardly gave Limerick a free for most of the game. Not a great ref. Hope he has no Waterford matches this summer.
@Ben Breathnach: glad to hear this from a neutral
@Ben Breathnach: it’s not favouritism if it’s a free, hand on a back. Or a slap is a free in hurling at every level except senior county apparently.
Another calamatious day on the line for Lohan. He never responded to Limerick’s changes. He should have been brave enough to not bring on Tony Kelly. Totally disrupted the Clare attack when he did. There’s a reason John Kiely has won 5 All-Irelands and Lohan has never won championship silverware as the gaffer. Kiely absolutely schooled him on the line, pushing Hegarty inside was the winning of the game. He absolutely roasted Adam Hogan when it mattered. It won Limerick the game.
The ref gave apsolutely everything to clare, a great psychological boost for Limerick after so many wides and frees against them and still coming out with the win
Clare bottlers well done limerick
Clares demise seems to have coincided with Tony Kelly’s arrival. I just wonder did Lohan presume that they had the game in the bag??. Seems to be a repeat scenario!!!!
@James O’Grady: I don’t know the man or ever spoke to him, but I’m 100% sure he wouldn’t have presumed he had the game (against one of the greatest sides ever) in the bag!!
I only seen the last 15mins of it,only one team played the other capitulated.
If you need it explained you didn’t watch the game
It seems have decided limerick won’t win 5 in a row