*Clare’s Ian O’Brien. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’s minor hurlers have missed out on a fourth consecutive Munster final appearance after conceding 1-4 without reply in the final moments of Friday’s clash with Waterford.
Waterford 1-21
Clare 1-15
Venue: Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, Dungarvan
With six minutes to play in this Electric Ireland Munster minor hurling championship tie, Clare led by a point and looked to be in a strong position to qualify for a final against Cork.
Waterford had other ideas and they hit 1-4 without reply to seal a provincial final place.
Overall the sides were level on nine occasions and a six point margin at the finish is a little harsh on Clare who played their part in what was a most enteraining contest.
A key factor in the Deise victory was their ability to win aerial possession and centre forward Jack Power stood out in this department. Time and again he leaped into the air to win possession and he regularly dropped back to help his defence.
The key score was the winner’s goal which came five minutes from time. A 95m free by Cormac Spain, their top scorer, deceived all and went to the net at a time when the sides were level.
It clearly rocked Clare and gave momentum to the home side who followed with three points, much to the delight of their big following.
After the sides were level on seven occasions in the opening half, Waterford took a one point lead to the break when the score was 0-10 to 0-9.
With seven wides to Clare’s three, the home side may feel that they should have been a point or two more ahead.
That said the best goal chance of the half fell to Clare and Waterford goalie James Comerford reacted quickly to smother Darragh Ball’s effort at the expense of a ‘65 which Paul Rodgers converted.
Two points was the biggest margin between the sides at any stage in that opening half.
While disappointed with the result, all is not lost for Clare who must now turn their attention to an all-Ireland preliminary quarter final tie against Leinster opposition in two weeks time.
Dara Kennedy, Zak Phelan, Colm Daly and Paul Rodgers who contributed 1-8, gave strong performances for Clare.
Scorers Waterford; Cormac Spain (1-12 9 frees);Gearoid O’Shea, Jamie Shanahan Shane Power (0-2) each, Caollan Nevillle, Dylan Murphy, Pierce Quann (0-1)each
Scorers Clare; Paul Rodgers (1-8, 0-7f) John Barry (0-2), Dara Kennedy, Evan Cleary Jake Gibbons, Ian O’Brien, Liam Murphy (0-1) each
Waterford;
1: James Comerford (Ballygunner)
2: Conor Lynch (Geraldines)
3: Daragh Murphy (St. Marys East)
4: Darragh Keane (De La Salle)
5: Bradley Penkert (Mount Sion)
6: Hugo Quann (Lismore)
7: Conor Power (De La Salle)
11: Jack Power (Ballygunner)
10: Eoin Burke (Roanmore)
14: Shane Power (De La Salle)
15: Jamie Shanahan (Erins Owen)
12: Tommy Kennedy (Mount Sion)
13: Cormac Spain (Ballygunner)
8: Gearoid O’Shea (St. Mollerans)
23: Dylan Murphy (Roanmore)
Subs:
22: Caoiinn Revillle (Roanmore) for Kennedy (39)
9: Pierce Quann (Dungarvan) for Burke (49)
19: Andrew Power (Ballygunner) for S. Power (50);
Clare
1: Leon Talty (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
2: Darragh Murrihy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
3: Jack O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge)
4: Zak Phelan (Sixmilebridge)
5: Evan Crimmins (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
6: Dara Kennedy (Ballyea)
7: Colm Daly (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
8: Graham Ball (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
9: Evan Cleary (Ballyea)
10: Gavin Marshall (Parteen/Meelick)
11: John Barry (Inagh/Kilnamona)
12: Jake Gibbons (Whitegate)
13: Ian O’Brien (Cratloe)
14: Paul Rodgers (Scariff)
15: Liam Murphy (O’Callaghans Mills)
Subs:
20: James O’Donnell (Broadford) for Gibbons (41
17: Dara McInerney (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for Marshall (53)
23: Nikki Bellenko (Tulla) for Barry (59)
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork)
