Limerick have won their fifth consecutive Munster title, defeating neighbours Clare in a pulsating clash at the Gaelic Grounds.
It was a game that was cagey in the opening half, although it certainly burst into life as the contest went on.
Clare had the better of the play in the first 35 minutes, creating the majority of the scoring chances.
They would bring a three-point lead into the interval on the back of this goal from Mark Rodgers, although their supporters probably felt they should have been further in front.
Fortune favours Clare as they go ahead thanks to a Mark Rodgers goal from a loose ball hitting the woodwork
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📺Watch: https://t.co/ZfZ9mA9XTY #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/TY6pI8ojnP— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 11, 2023
However, that pattern was not repeated in the second half.
Limerick certainly grew into the game after the halftime break, with Aaron Gillane getting a key goal to put his side in front.
Aaron Gillane is the start of this Munster final. Huge moment for Limerick as they move in front.
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📺Watch: https://t.co/ZfZ9mA9XTY #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/b8vU4RI8DW— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 11, 2023
The two teams remained within touching distance of each other throughout, with Clare certainly not giving anything easy to their neighbours. There was only a point between the sides with five minutes to play.
Brian Lohan's men missed a couple of opportunities to draw level during this period, hitting two poor wides in particular. That proved to be key, with Clare never managing to level the game over the final few minutes.
In the end, John Kiely side emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1-23 to 1-22.
Clare had unfortunate decision go against them in Munster final
Clare will come away from this game feeling that they could have won a first provincial title since 1997, leaving a number of scoring opportunities behind them over the course of the 70-plus minutes.
In saying that, they will feel a bit hard done by with the way the match finished.
Down by a point, Clare pushed hard for an equaliser in the dying moments of injury time.
With bodies flying everywhere, it looked like referee Liam Gordon could have given a free-in to the attacking side on a couple of occasions. After viewing the replays, it looked as though Clare definitely should have been given a free at the end which could have levelled the game and sent it to extra-time.
Not a free apparently. Clare had enough chances to level the game, but this is such a clear free. #musterfinal #gaa #hurling pic.twitter.com/ISXL85W6O1
— Paul O’Kane (@pmokane) June 11, 2023
Brian Lohan was certainly upset with the decision, making his way onto the pitch after the final whistle to make his feelings known.
Speaking on RTÉ after the game, both Joe Canning and Anthony Daly said that while Clare could have few complaints about the result, they had a right to feel aggrieved with this particular decision.
Canning: We have to talk about it. It was at the very end, Clare tried to turn the ball over. Watch Tony Kelly, straight in and Peter Casey got him. Just after this, they win the ball back. Shanagher wins the ball back and gives it to Hogan, William O'Donoghue takes him out high.
We have to talk about it. They were two frees they probably should have got. People will say it was a one-point game, but that's life I'm afraid.
Daly: It's chaos at the end though. The quick puck-out should have been allowed to be taken, we had the pitch invasion, they cleared the field. Two frees there should have been given.
I'm still not whinging about it, because Clare missed so much that they don't deserve to come out on top in a game like that. Still, Clare played heroically and have to learn from this year, as opposed to last year.
It's difficult to disagree with those comments.
Quite a few people felt Clare could consider themselves unfortunate over how the game ended.
Clare pucked the game away, as they have before in recent Munster finals, but that was as stonewall a free as you'll see at the end of added time.
Inter-county referees are not having a good run lately!— Éamonn Murphy (@EamonnMurphy19) June 11, 2023
Clare threw it away but surely there was a free at the end.
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) June 11, 2023
Clare denied a stonewall free at the end 🥴
— Shane Mangan (@Shane_Mangan) June 11, 2023
Another great Munster final. Clare denied absolute stonewall free at the there to take the game to extra time.
— John O'Shea (@JohnOShea1993) June 11, 2023
That was a blatant free for Clare at the end?!?
— TacheyDelBosque (@TacheyDelBosque) June 11, 2023
Limerick will enjoy their celebrations later tonight, before they prepare for an All-Ireland semi-final next month. As for Clare, they will ready themselves for a quarter-final against either Dublin or Carlow in a couple of weeks.
Considering the quality of both of these teams, you get the sense that it might not be the final time we see them square off in this summer's championship.
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