Aidan O’Connor the hero as Limerick book All-Ireland hurling final spot:

Aidan O’Connor the hero as Limerick book All-Ireland hurling final spot:

By Joel Slattery Limerick Leader Sport

Aidan O’Connor’s late snatched the dramatic win for John Kiely’s men
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IT WAS a comeback for the ages for this incredible Limerick hurling team – a late flurry of scores seeing John Kiely’s men to a 1-21 to 1-19 win over Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park on Sunday.

Aidan O’Connor scored an injury time goal to give Limerick an unlikely lead – putting them in front for the first time since the 11th minute.

It was the never-say-die spirit from John Kiely’s men which saw this most remarkable success.

The winners will now meet Galway in the July 19 All-Ireland final at Croke Park.

Tony Kelly won his first one-on-one battle with Dan Morrissey to cancel out Aidan O’Connor’s opening free.

With six minutes on the clock, Peter Casey got Limerick’s first from play – a nice settler for the Na Piarsaigh man.

Just a minute later, Diarmaid Byrne’s long clearance was collected by Shane O’Brien who opened his account as the Treaty got to grips with the pace of the game.

Clare then struck three on the trot in less than two minutes, the pick of the bunch a long-range Peter Duggan effort to give the Banner a slender advantage.

Ryan Taylor and Cathal Malone added scores after Aaron Gillane had briefly got Limerick back on level terms.

The lead increased to four when Kelly and Shane O’Donnell popped over points – O’Donnell getting a huge ovation after announcing during the week that he will retire at the end of the season.

This cheer was matched after a lung-busting run from Kyle Hayes led to a needed white flag from the wing back.

Another defender Barry Nash also got on the board – finishing off a move that starting from a wonderful Will O’Donoghue catch.

However, Clare were able to keep their opponents at arms length in the second quarter. Aidan O’Connor’s accuracy was keeping Limerick in touch – his fourth free reducing the deficit to 0-12 to 0-9 approaching the half-hour.

Clare extended the lead to seven by first half stoppage time before late scores from Adam English and Cathal O’Neill saw Kiely’s men go into the dressing room 0-16 to 0-11 behind.

Limerick needed a fast start to the second half but hit their first two shots wide after the restart.

The men in green did hit the first score of the period when O’Neill came up when his side needed a leader.

An inspirational score from Diarmaid Byrnes made it five in a row for Limerick either side of the break and had the Treaty supporters on their feet. O’Connor added a free to reduce the deficit to just a single point 10 minutes into the second half.

Clare opened their second half account through a 47th minute Rodgers free – one which was hotly disputed by the Limerick sideline.

Despite being on top, Limerick still trailed at the three-quarter mark – another Rodgers free giving Brian Lohan’s side a 0-19 to 0-16 lead.

Then a huge moment in the game – Peter Duggan has a guilt-edged chance for Clare before being fouled by Nickie Quaid – a yellow card for the keeper but a penalty for Clare.

Up stepped Kelly – who buried it to put his side six points ahead.

Limerick didn’t panic though and a pair of O’Connor frees got them back on track.

This stood to them when as the clock hit 70 – O’Connor rattled the back of the net for a sensational goal. English gave the cross field ball and it was caught by the Ballybrown man who made no mistake with the finish.

From here they held on to book a date with Galway in two weeks’ time.

SCORERS – Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 1-10 (10f); Cathal O’Neill, Peter Casey and Diarmaid Byrnes (f) 0-2 each; Shane O’Brien, Aaron Gillane, Kyle Hayes, Barry Nash and Adam English each.

Clare: Tony Kelly 1-5 (1-0 pen); Mark Rodgers 0-7 (6f); Peter Duggan 0-3; Ryan Taylor 0-2; Cathal Malone and Shane O’Donnell 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, William O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Adam English, Darragh O’Donovan; Gearoid Hegarty, Aidan O’Connor, Cathal O’Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien, Peter Casey.

Subs: Tom Morrissey for Gearoid Hegarty (temporary, 33-35); David Reidy for Darragh O’Donovan (47 mins); Tom Morrissey for Aaron Gillane (51 mins); Cian Lynch for Cathal O’Neill (56 mins); Mike Casey for Dan Morrissey (61 mins); Fintan Fitzgerald for Peter Casey (70 mins).

CLARE: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Darragh Lohan; Diarmuid Ryan, David McInerney, Niall O’Farrell; Tony Kelly, Ryan Taylor; Cathal Malone, Mark Rodgers, Sean Rynne; John Conlon, Peter Duggan, Shane O’Donnell.

Subs: Cian Galvin for Conor Cleary (45 mins); Diarmuid Stritch for John Conlon (47 mins); Ian Galvin for Mark Rodgers (61 mins); David Fitzgerald for Sean Rynne (62 mins); David Reidy for Diarmuid Stritch (69 mins).

REFEREE: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).