*Clare captain Tony Kelly. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
QUESTIONS were asked of Clare’s defence but answers were given by a brilliant Banner attack in the opening round of the Munster SHC with Tony Kelly, Seán Rynne, Shane O’Donnell and Diarmuid Stritch producing standout displays.
The Clare Echo’s coverage of the Munster SHC is with thanks to McKeogh’s Home Garden & DIY located in Killaloe/Ballina.
Eoin Brennan gives out the player ratings from Clare’s six point win over Waterford in the first round of the Munster SHC.
1: Eibhear Quilligan
Conceded four goals but couldn’t be faulted for any of the and to be fair, it easily could have been much worse were it not for a superb last gasp stop from Waterford substitute Kevin Mahony after throwing his body in front of the point blank equalising effort. Also repelled the first Stephen Bennett goal sighting before the defence coughed up a second bite of the cherry that the Waterford poacher emphatically while his puck-outs directly accounted to 1-8.
Rating: 7
2: Rory Hayes
Deservedly got the starting nod at corner-back following an impressive National League Final performance. In truth, there’s never a dull moment when it comes to the Wolfe Tones defender as he experienced the full gamut of emotions on Waterford ace marksman who ended up with three points. A rush of blood to the head saw Hayes inspirationally burst out of defence only to mow into Jack Prendergast. On a yellow, he simply had to come off to keep Clare at full strength.
Rating: 6
3: Conor Cleary
Handed all the arduous marking assignments, Cleary went from grappling man mountain John Hetherton to a more elusive Sean Walsh who in contrast matched physicality with mobility. Found it difficult to win clear ball as had to keep an eye on Walsh, chief threat Stephen Bennett and Dessie Hutchinson in a lethal inside line. Conceded a first quarter penalty to Walsh and also pulled for a late free on substitute Kevin Mahony just after fourth goal.
Rating: 6
4: Adam Hogan
If only there was as much viral saturation on the clip of his superb goal-saving block on Sean Walsh as much as his first half altercation with Stephen Bennett! After all, Hogan had to be withdrawn for six minutes to patch up his head and was constantly in the wars in an effort to match Bennett and Co. Eventually had to succumb to a leg injury in the final minutes and would be replaced by debutante Ronan Kilroy.
Rating: 7
5: Diarmuid Ryan
Had to scramble a lot defensively as Waterford constantly rotated their forwards. Scored a point in each half to respond to opposition surges and also teed up scores for Shane O’Donnell and substitute Diarmuid Stritch in the crucial final quarter. His most telling contribution however were the deliveries for two goals chances, the first a route one ball caught by Peter Duggan but just kicked over the bar while he also unleash O’Donnell on goal early in the new half.
Rating: 7
6: Niall O’Farrell
From being Broadford’s main forward in 2025 to now being installed as Clare main defender, it’s been a remarkable season so far for Niall O’Farrell who started as a wing-forward against Cork in the Munster Hurling League but made his championship debut at centre-back on Sunday. Fought hard in the position though and was strong in possession and assured in his passing. Grew in confidence as the game developed which can only aid his sweeping ability over time.
Rating: 7
7: Cathal Malone
Not as influential from an attacking platform as he normally is but being his first championship start as a wing-back, it will take time to adjust. Speaking of time, his 50th ever championship performance is a milestone to cherish and aside from a poor batted clearance straight to Stephen Bennett for Waterford’s third goal, Malone produced a gritty defensive display and would also win one of the frees before half-time that saw Mark Rodgers turn the tide.
Rating: 7
8: Darragh Lohan
He wasn’t alone in seeing the first half pass him by as the end-to-end open nature made it difficult for Clare’s midfield to impose themselves around the centre. Was much more determined and aggressive on the resumption though starting with having a major hand in Peter Duggan’s goal only two minutes into the second period before arrowing over two essential points of his own. The first stemmed from an interception while the second was in injury-time to keep the Deise at bay.
Rating: 7
11: Ryan Taylor
Like his midfield partner Lohan, couldn’t initially get to grips with a more tigerish Waterford pairing but did have a glorious chance to score a goal with a shot and a rebound that were both somehow repelled by Billy Nolan, Scored a spectacular first point immediately from the throw-in after only 13 seconds of the second half and did subsequently win two frees that Rodgers converted but there’s much more in him from an influence point of view.
Rating: 6
9: Tony Kelly
Great to see him back after missing the National League decider and it was if he was never away as instinctively knows every blade of grass in Cusack Park and was unmarkable from a Waterford perspective. Is a welcome solution to puck-out ball-winning issues in the league final too as all four points he scored came directly from making great runs and collecting Quilligan restarts. Set up his own pal Shane O’Donnell for two more points as well as one for Diarmuid Stritch.
Rating: 8
15: David Reidy
Not as dynamic as previous championships displaysbut a succession of knocks and sustained injuries certainly didn’t aid his fluency. Did a lot of spade work around the centre and even in the half-back line but a niggily hip injury early on hampered him while the Éire Óg star would then be subjected to an off-the-ball stride at the turn of the final quarter that simply accelerated a premature end to his 46th championship outing. Replaced by Diarmuid Stritch.
Rating: 6
12: Seán Rynne
An inspired inclusion for only his second championship start as Rynne had missed the majority of the National League through injury and only had a cameo against Carlow and a start v Wexford before being out again for the final. Scored four points in that 80 minute league salvo but picked off five on Sunday in a real clinical showing. His off the shoulder running is exemplary as always seems available for a pass. Only downside was that he should have nailed a late clinching goal.
Rating: 8
14: Mark Rodgers
The rumour mill was in overdrive about scans and protective boots following an ankle injury suffered in the National League Final. However, it was brilliant to see Clare’s player of 2026 thus far back in a starting berth and also in unerring form from frees as he potted eleven placed balls as Clare’s guiding light. Also had a goal chance saved in the first half before turning provider for Peter Duggan to finally beat Nolan at the start of the second period.
Rating: 7
18: Shane O’Donnell
Wore number 18 on his back but was always going to start once he was able to be on the match day squad and was a joy to watch and admire. His impressive four point haul was only the tip of the creative iceberg as O’Donnell won three frees that Mark Rodgers scored, forced Billy Nolan into a full length save to deny him a goal while directly initiated the moves for glorious goal sightings for others including first half bursts for Ryan Taylor and Mark Rodgers.
Rating: 8
10: Peter Duggan
Largely fed on scraps as got little change out of marker Aaron O’Neill at full-forward save for one great catch that he should have scored but hadn’t enough football done at club level with Declan O’Keeffe to kick to the net. Did get his just reward with an angled shot that just beat Billy Nolan in the 37th minute. Might have benefitted from some regular rotation but did set up three points for others including the last one in injury-time that Tony Kelly arrowed over.
Rating: 7
Subs:
25: Conor Leen
Just missed out on a starting berth but got two separate opportunities to impress from the bench. His second one late on, he found tougher to get up to speed but did spark the move for the icing on the cake goal for Shane Meehan.
Rating: 6
22: Diarmuid Stritch
Brings an electricity to the team and the crowd too every time he plays. Wasted no time in making his mark at senior level as glittered his championship debut with three points in a 25 minute cameo when others were feeling the pinch.
Rating: 8
13: Shane Meehan
Would have been disappointed not to have started seeing as he was Clare’s top scorer from play in the National League. However it shows the cut-throat competition for places and in fairness, he didn’t sulk and would be rewarded with the winning goal.
Rating: 7
24: Ian Galvin
Another to always make his mark when called upon. Normally adds a few scores but had a more influential playmaking role on Sunday as he offloaded to Darragh Lohan for an injury-time point before attracting Waterford’s last line before putting Meehan through to finish the job.
Rating: 7
19: Ronan Kilroy
Another to make his senior championship debut albeit that he only got a few minutes after Adam Hogan was forced to withdraw through injury. Will benefit from the experience though for longer stints ahead.
Rating: 6
