*Clare’s Conor Whelan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’S U20 hurlers have put themselves on the cusp of qualifying for the Munster semi-final after recording a nineteen point win over Waterford
Clare 2-27
Waterford 1-11
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
Scoring sprees of 1-6 and 1-11 without reply in the respective halves helped Clare on their way to a commanding win over Waterford who remain with a win in the round-robin series.
Ahead of their final round clash against table toppers Tipperary it ensures that Clare’s faith lies in their own hands.
Waterford hurled well in the opening quarter but collapsed on the concession of Michael Collins’ goal on fifteen minutes, at a stage when the visitors led by two points. This move stemming from the breaking ball of a Mark Sheedy puckout which Jack O’Neill scooped up before delivering a low ball into James Organ who popped to the on-rushing Clonlara teenager to finish the job.
From here on there really was only one team in this contest with Clare building up a 1-8 0-4 advantage,
The sides exchanged points in the opening minutes of the second half but then Claare took over, hitting an unanswered 1-11 to seal an easy win ahead of their final group game which will be against Tipperary in Thurles next Friday.
Waterford made the better start and raced into a two point lead thanks to converted frees from Charlie Treen inside the opening three minutes.
Sean Rynne and Conor Whelan replied for the home side but the visitors responded with another converted free from Treen and one from play from Mark Mahony.
The game had reached the mid point of the half when a good Clare move finished with Michael Collins shooting to the net.
The score gave the home side a one point led and from here to the interval they held the visitors scoreless while they added six unanswered points to lead 1-8 to 0-4 when the half time whistle sounded.
Clare would not have been flattered with a greater lead at this time, given that they were guilty of a lot of wides, nine in all, in the opening half
Conor Whelan finished as the game’s top scorer with 0-12, nine coming from frees on a day when nine players shared in Clare’s impressive tally.
Collectively Terence Fahy’s side were far superior than their opponents, standout players included Conor Whelan, Eoghan Gunning and James Organ with the half-back line trio of James Hegarty, Evan Maxted and Jamie Moylan very solid.
Indeed the frustration of the day was evident for Waterford on the sideline with both manager Ken McGrath and coach Dan Shanahan picking up yellow cards from Cork match official, Ciaran O’Regan.
Scorers Clare; C. Whelan (0-12, 9 f); J.Organ (1-5); S. Rynne (0-4); M. Collins (1-0); N. O’Farrell (0-2); J. Hegarty, E. Gunning, J. Moylan, J. O’Neill (0-1) each;
Scorers Waterford; C. Treen (0-6, f); C. Keane (1-1), D. Lalor, E. Spellman, M. Mahony.J. Power(0-1) each
Clare:
1: Mark Sheedy (Sixmilebridge)
4: John Cahill (Clooney/Quin)
3: Tony Leyden (Tulla)
2: Eoghan Gunning (Broadford)
5: Evan Maxted (Clooney/Quin)
6: James Hegarty (Inagh/Kilnamona)
7: Jamie Moylan (Cratloe)
9: Seán Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)
8: Ronan O’Connor (Feakle)
12: Ronan Kilroy (Banner)
11: Niall O’Farrell (Broadford)
15: Michael Collins (Clonlara)
10: James Organ (Corofin)
14: Jack O’Neill (Clooney/Quin)
13: Conor Whelan (Whitegate)
Subs:
19: Ronan Keane (Killanena) for Leyden (18)
23: James Doherty (Clarecastle) for Kilroy (42)
21: Eoin McMahon (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Maxted (54)
17: Liam Crotty (Scariff) for O’Neill (55)
18: Piaras Ó Sé (Ruan) for O’Connor (58)
Waterford:
1.Cian Troy (Ballygunner)
4.Mikey Burke (Dungarvan)
2.Conor Keane (Ballygunner)
3.Daniel Lalow (De La Salle)
5. Aaron O’Neill (Ballygunner, Captain)
6.Billy O’Connell (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty)
7. Cillian Ryan (Brickey Rangers)
10. Sean Mackey (Fenor)
9. Fionn Hallinan (Fourmilewater)
8. Joseph O’Keefe (Lismore)
11. Evan Spellman (Fourmilewater)
12. Jack Twomey (De La Salle)
13. Charlie Treen (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty)
14. Marc Mahony (An Sean Phobal)
15. Michael Morrisey (Fourmilewater)
Subs:
22. Jack Power (Kilrossanty) for Hallinan (29)
24. Conor Tobin (Ballygunner) for Mackey (HT)
18. Rory Dobbyn (Ballyduff Lower) for O’Keeffe (38)
23. Brian Callaghan (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty) for Spelman (45)
21. Jack O’Donnell (Ballyduff Lower) for Treen (54)
Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork)
