Just back from that kip.
How on earth does that ground pass a health and safety audit annually? An absolute shit hole. It’s dank and depressing at the best of times but it plumbed new depths today. As you walked behind the goals to the covered terrace there was a massive pool of water in the corner that patrons had to navigate, no stewards around obviously. Miraculous nobody fell and split themselves open.
Worst county ground in the country, I’d even place Aughrim and Drogheda ahead of it. Bulldoze the place.
Brilliant to come out of the dump with something all the same. We were gone in injury time but terrific character to salvage the draw. This team will never wilt.
Take a bow Peter Casey. What a player. 0-03 from play in those conditions was phenomenal. The jersey is his now.
Even at the end when we were chasing the game he showed his calmness & intelligence. Last attack, a point down, it’s helter skelter, The Dow pulls on the ball and drives it into the full forward line, the little magician is out in front of his marker, sticks his arse into the defender, waits for the contact, over he goes and the free in is awarded. Class. He played for it beautifully and the dumb defender duly fell for it hook, line and sinker. We didn’t get him on the ball nearly enough though.
Considering the horrific conditions the handling of both sides was excellent. A real war of attrition. Hego pounced on a bad mistake and plundered an early goal. We were worth the four point half time lead. Lynch was imperious in that opening half, like a magnet. Emerged with the ball from a ridiculous amount of rucks. Few beautiful flicks thrown in too. Not as influential after the break but still got through an amount of work.
Conceded a quick fire 1-01 on the resumption. The goal was really poor defending, the Clare roaster seemed to run half the length of the pitch as our defence parted. Good finish but he should have been cleaved thirty yards from goal. Take the yellow card and the pointed free.
Our response was impressive. Settled and fired over four in a row. We looked in complete control. Then we hit a valley period in terms of scoring & the sucker punch of another goal on top of it. Game looked to be gone late on but sheer balls earned us a point and had the locals seething which was an added bonus.
Lost Finn early on. The Askeaton man came on, can’t remember him doing much but neither did his man. League debut and he didn’t look out of place. I’d give him the start against Laois. If he can survive in the west junior A bear pit he can survive against Camross and co. You can’t have enough west Limerick men on any Limerick team.
English really good again. He’s a real leader now. Tony Kelly was bate up a stick by Hannon. Paddy O’Loughlin scored a terrific point and was decent. In fairness it was a day that suited defenders with scores from play at a premium.
Malachy hooked early. Battled well but can’t see him leap frogging DOD in the pecking order by championship time. In fact he might struggle to make the 26 when Browne and WOD return.
Kyler looked like his old self. What a warrior. Scored one magical point and worked like a maniac. Hooks, blocks, harries, flicks. The Young Prince ran amok and relished the battle. He’s a future captain.
I think O’Dwyer is one of the better refs but he was poor today. You needed a strong ref but we didn’t get one. Clare were filthy at the back. Nonstop fouling off the ball and he did nothing. Cleary was hanging out of Hayes for every puckout. Ditto Jamesie O’Connor’s lover boy Jack Browne on Gillane. O’Dwyer did fuck all about it all day long. In fairness he didn’t get an ounce of help from his linesmen or umpires - (in fact the gutless linesman gave in to the crowd and over ruled the well placed umpires to award a phantom point that was originally correctly signalled wide at a vital stage of the second half too). An early yellow would have nipped all that cynical Clare stuff in the bud. How Browne didn’t pick up a second yellow for persistent fouling is a miracle. Gillane still worked hard and got on plenty of ball. Don’t think he scored from play but he looked dangerous throughout.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Pat O’Connor is one of the most horrible individuals you’ll see on a GAA pitch. A wannabe hard man who can dish it out but if he gets anything back he’s rolling around on the ground or squealing to the ref, the linesmen, the umpires. I’m sure he’s a saint off the pitch, saves kids from burning buildings etc but he’s a vile individual on a hurling pitch. Always sticking his beak in with verbals and getting involved with incidents that have nothing to do with him. An UUCOAM. His legs are beginning to go and hopefully Hayes will retire him in June.
Day couldn’t have worked out better really. Top spot secured, a gimme quarter final and then two weeks rest to the semi final.
Did I mention Cusack Park is a shit hole?