*Clare’s John Conlon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
As Clare supporters contemplate which team Brian Lohan will choose for the National Hurling League Final in FBS Semple Stadium on Saturday week (7.15pm), here’s a look back on the rat-ings from last Sundays semi-final against Tipperary in Portlaoise.
1: Eibhear Quilligan
With three-quarters of his restarts being won including a direct assist for Clare’s crucial goal through David Fitzgerald, it was a very positive afternoon for the Feakle stopper who could do little about either goal. Did get caught in possession late on but was in the corner and out of dan-ger.
Rating: 7
2: Adam Hogan
Did a superb shadowing job on Jake Morris who was Tipperary’s top scorer with 4-10 from play in the previous four matches. Morris did break free once to grab the opening goal but Hogan ac-tually replied with a point of his own and won the majority of the 50/50 deliveries before his mark-er was eventually dismissed.
Rating: 8
3: Conor Cleary
Clare’s early dominance limited any Tipperary supply but even when the balance of play did level out, captain Cleary completely nullied Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher to the extent that the Premier County’s most experienced forward was withdrawn by half-time.
Rating: 7
4: Conor Leen
Handed the unenviable task of shadowing Jason Forde who had raided for 1-8 from play upon his return three matches earlier. Held the Silermines forward to a solitary point from play while his frees were also affected. The Corofin defender also earned two frees.
Rating: 7
5: Diarmuid Ryan
Had a brilliant disguised pass for a potential goal chance but the recent Fitzgibbon Cup winner did directly set up a brace of late points for David Reidy and David Fitgerald and even grabbed a trademark point of his own from halfway as part of Clare’s blistering start.
Rating: 7
7: Cian Galvin
Having played every minute of the last five matches, Galvin has arguably been the biggest find for Brian Lohan ahead of another Munster round-robin series as the experience has seen the versatile Magpie soar in confidence as evidence by another solid 70 minutes in the half-back line bolstered by a point.
Rating: 7
6: John Conlon
With Cian Galvin matching up with the equally towering Gearoid O’Connor at centre-back, All-Star Conlon cleverly used his wing back role to sweep effectively around the back-line. That said, he was quite fortunate to stay on the field late in the first half when, already on a yellow, he prevent-ed Jason Forde from shooting on goal.
Rating: 7
9: Darragh Lohan
Much like Cian Galvin, his assurance at senior level has been benefitted by an extended league run, featuring in all but the Waterford outing. Overcame a finger injury and a seven minute blood sub spell on the sidelines to resume at midfield where he also scored an early point.
Rating: 6
10: Cathal Malone
A first taste of National League action for the Sixmilebridge player since the battle in Wexford Park but despite a little ring-rustiness, Malone quickly got to grips with the middle third to score a first half point and also earn a free in each half that were converted by Aidan McCarthy.
Rating: 7
8: David Fitzgerald
As strange as it may sound considering he again top-scored for Clare from play with 1-3, Fitzgerald only sparked to life with an outstanding solo goal to cancel out Tipperary’s opener at the turn of the second quarter. From there he soared, picking off three final quarter points to put the re-sult beyond any doubt.
Rating: 8
15: David Reidy
Along with Ian Galvin, his darting runs to the wing for puck-outs was a key ingredients of Clare’s opening half dominance. Extremely influencial in scoring three timely points, earning a free for an-other and also began the move for Mark Rodgers’ early goal chance.
Rating: 8
12: Peter Duggan
Amazingly amidst ten different scorers, Duggan did get on the scoresheet himself but proved a handful for Tipperary, produced a brilliant trademark ball balancing feat in the opening half and more importantly directly set up points for Keith Smyth, a Rodgers free and Reidy.
Rating: 6
13: Keith Smyth
Commenced Clare’s lightning start with the first two points inside the opening minute of the contesrt to set the tone, both from the right corner. Was curbed somewhat after that by Bryan O’Mara and was eventually replaced by Shane Meehan at the turn of the final quarter.
Rating: 6
14: Ian Galvin
In clearly rehearsed restarts, his bursts to the wings contually dragged marker Ronan Maher out of position. Got on a lot of ball without scoring, set up points for Darragh Lohan and David Reidy, earned a free for Aidan McCarthy to convert and provided the last pass for Rodgers’ sighting on goal
Rating: 7
11: Mark Rodgers
Due to a precautionary injury, the Scarif supremo’s afternoon lasted on 21 minutes but he still packed a lot into that cameo, arrowing over three frees, one of which he earned himself and was desperately unlucky to see a shot whistle past the right post having broken Tipperary’s cover.
Rating: 7
Subs
26: Aidan McCarthy
Snatched his opportunity with both hands as the Inagh/Kilnamona star was immediately put on freetaking duties and was unerring in converting seven placed balls along with scoring an excel-lent point from play late in the opening period.
Rating: 7
19: Seadna Morey
The versatile Sixmilebridge player actually came on twice in the second half, first as a seven minute blood sub for Darragh Lohan and then on a permanent basis entering the final quarter for John Conlon. Provided energy at a crucial time but needed a score.
Rating: 6
22: Shane Meehan
The only player to feature in all six Clare games was eager to impress when introdcued at the turn of the final quarter for Keith Smyth but unfortunately a little two eager as two shots for a point went wayward.
Rating: 6
21: Sean Rynne
Got ten minutes but by that stage the game was totally fragmented and could only get involved in a few rooks.
Rating: 5
26: Patrick Crotty
Only came on in injury-time so hadn’t enough time to impress.
Rating: 5
