Cathal O'Neill was the hero for Limerick in their Munster U20 Hurling Championship round robin tie with Clare at the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday.
With the game in the fifth minute of injury time (at least four had been indicated), and Clare leading 0-15 to 2-6, O'Neill found the back of the net from a 30m free to tie the game.
The Crecora/Manister forward - who scored 2-3 in all - was not content with the draw. Clare had been reduced to 14 players moments earlier when Shane Punch was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a high tackle on Limerick captain Jimmy Quilty. O'Neill scored the equalising goal from the resulting free.
Limerick gained possession from the puckout which followed, and Colin Coughlan worked the ball out to O'Neill who hit the winning point from just outside the 45 near the uncovered stand side of the Gaelic Grounds. There were just 38 seconds between his goal and point.
Limerick Munster U20 Hurling Championship comeback win vs Clare
45 seconds of brilliance from @LimerickCLG Cathal O'Neill at the death, was enough to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat tonight in the Gaelic Grounds. #gaa #U20Hurling pic.twitter.com/uo7hmpn5ab
— Paul Jenkins (@Paul_Jenkins1) April 6, 2022
Clare - who had led by seven points at half-time - play Cork in their second game next week, while Limerick face the Rebels in a fortnight.
"As the second half wore on, Clare were in control up until the last couple of minutes," Limerick manager Diarmuid Mullins said after Wednesday's game.
"In fairness to our lads, they kept going and going. I'd like to look back at it again, but we probably missed chances before we got the goal and the point to win the game.
"On a night like tonight, it's about showing character, and our lads showed great spirit and character.
"Cathal hit a great free, and then got a great point to win it. You'd have to say that nine out of ten times, that game is lost in the last couple of minutes."
Featured image: 6 April 2022; Jimmy Quilty of Limerick celebrates after his side's victory in the 2022 oneills.com Munster GAA Hurling Under 20 Championship Group 1 Round 1 match between Limerick and Clare at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
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