*Seán Fennell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’s U20 footballers have been stunned after coming up short to Waterford in the first round of the Munster championship.
Waterford 4-12
Clare 2-15
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg
After building up a four point lead with a rip-roaring start to the second half, Clare looked to be on their way to victory in Doonbeg but they were rocked with the concession of 2-2 without reply in the final quarter.
Having done so much right, Clare let themselves down as their finish became very slack and loose which Waterford duly capitalised on. The visitors also managed to nullify where Clare became very strong which was on winning primary possession from restarts and particularly surrounded Seán Fennell who had been exceptional with his fielding.
All four of Waterford’s goals arrived in the second half, indeed each of the six goals in the contest were scored in the second half but it was Fergal O’Brien’s finish on fifty seven minutes which decided the game.
Three goals in the space of five minutes saw Waterford take control of the game. Conor Keating bagged two excellent efforts while Paddy McCarthy punished poor defending, when he finished to the net after a dropping ball was let fall into his path.
To their credit, Clare responded tremendously to this and cut the five point arrears to one, Luke Pyne getting the gap down to the minimum on fifty six minutes. Clare goalkeeper Eoin Byrne had been effective winning opposing kickouts in the air and his attempts to win the restart from Pyne’s score meant he was off his line leaving Fergal O’Brien with an empty net to kick the ball into it, a blow which the hosts never recovered from.
This is a defeat that will really sting Clare. It is the first time Waterford have won at the grade since 2021, on that occasion they also scored four goals when the venue was Lemybrien but the opponents were still Clare. It was knockout then whereas Maurice Walsh’s side have the chance to bounce back but this was certainly a game where they would have targeted a winning start.
Daire Culligan, Seán Fennell and Luke Pyne impressed for Clare. Their strong start to the second half was not sustained and this was the killer blow for the hosts as they allowed Waterford to come roaring into the tie.
They were wasteful in the second half and clocked up eight wides, rushing opportunities instead of building the play. There’s little time to wallow as they must regroup for a trip to Tipp on Saturday where a win is required to bring their campaign back to life.
Scorers Waterford: J Brennan (0-7 3f 2tpf), C Keating (2-0), P McCarthy (1-3 2f 1m), F O’Brien (1-0), A Murray (0-1)
Scorers Clare: D Culligan (0-5 1f), C Riordan (1-2), S Fennell (0-4 1tp 1f), D Killeen (1-1), C Fennell (0-1 1f), D McMahon (0-1), L Pyne (0-1)
Waterford:
1: Simon Burns (Dún Áill)
4: Cian Kiely (Port Cladach)
3: Justin Foley (Áth Mheáin)
2: Michael McMaugh (An Uidhir)
5: Darragh Jacob (Cumann an tSlánaitheora)
6: Fergal O’Brien (Gaill Tír)
7: Ben Boland (Cumann an tSlánaitheora)
8: Caolán MacCathmhaoil (An Port Mór)
20: Kyle Moloney (An Chlais Mhór / Cionn tSáile Beag)
10: Diarmuid Mackle (Baile na Cuirte)
11: Adam Murray (Rath Ó gCormaic)
12: Donagh Cooney (Gaill Tír)
13: Joe Brennan (Mícheál MacCraith)
14: Conor Keating (Coill Mhic Thomaisin)
15: Paddy McCarthy (Ródaithe na Brice)
Subs:
19: Kyle Flynn (Gailltir) for Cooney (45),
22: Calum Sloan for MacCathmhaoil (47),
18: Darragh Murphy for Moloney (57)
Clare:
1: Eoin Byrne (St Breckan’s)
4: Michael Kelly (Lissycasey)
3: Daire Hill (Lissycasey)
2: Conor Hill (Lissycasey)
7: Luke Pyne (Éire Óg)
6: Seán McAllister (Clondegad)
5: Ewan Wragg (Lissycasey)
8: Evan Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
9: Seán Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks)
12: Daire Culligan (Lissycasey)
11: Darragh Killeen (Lissycasey)
10: Odhrán O’Connell (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
15: Conor Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks)
14: Colin Riordan (Wolfe Tones)
13: Seán McMahon (Banner)
Subs:
22: Diarmuid McMahon (Lissycasey) for O’Connell (38),
21: Cathal Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for C Fennell (45),
24: Seán Conneally (Ennistymon) for Wragg (49),
17: Charlie Hannan (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Pyne (59).
Referee: E Ó Muirchearaigh (Kerry)
