*Thomas Dillon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
TWO second half goals from Thomas Dillon steered Clare to a merited win over Waterford in the Daryl Darcy Cup final.
Clare 2-8
Waterford 0-8
Venue: Lemybrien
In what was also the second round in phase two of the Munster minor football championship, the game served as the Daryl Darcy cup final which is contested annually by the top two teams at the end of phase 1 in this championship.
After a low scoring first half the teams went to the break locked together at 0-3 each. Missed chances were the order of the day in that first period with Clare shooting seven wides, one less than the home side.
Clare had also seen two efforts drop into the Waterford goalie’s hands while another effort had rebounded off the upright.
Supporters were of the view at half time that a goal would be a huge score in this game and so it proved.
That said, Waterford had made the better start to the new half with defender Liam O’Grady kicking a two pointer a minute after the restart. Ten minutes into the start they had opened a three point lead and looked like they would build on this but Clare had other ideas and the visitors played some great football from here to the finish.
Substitutes Michael Normoyle, returning from injury, Zak O’Shea and Ryan Brody played key roles, Normoyle pointing a minute after he came into the action.
Clare regained the lead thirteen minutes into the second half when Dillon finished off a fine move for the game’s first goal. He struck again four minutes later and from here on Waterford’s challenge faded.
Two points from team captain Shane Cahill who played a key role in the victory and one from Dillon closed out Clare’s scoring and sealed a fine win.
After the game the Daryl Darcy cup was presented to Clare captain Shane Cahill by Munster Council vice chairman Sean Michael O’Regan.
Clare now go to Tralee next Monday to take on Kerry with the winner of that game qualifying for a Munster final date with Cork.
Scorers; Clare; Thomas Dillon (2-2); Shane Cahil (0-3) Liam Keane, Robbie Kelly, Michael Normoyle (0-1) each
Scorers Waterford; Aidan McMaugh (0-2), Dara Gough (0-2) Liam O’Grady (0-2, TP); Anthony O’Donnell, Charlie Kelly (0-1) each;
Clare
1: Conor Griffin, (Ennistymon)
2; Gavin Browne, (Cooraclare)
3; Siney Neenan, (Kildysart)
4; Tristan O’Loughlin, (St Breckans);
8; Shane Cahill, (Kilmurry-Ibrickane)
6; Caelum Killeen, (Lissycasey)
7; Stephen O’Neill, (Eire Og)
24; Tadhg Bane (Banner)
21; Paddy Neyon (Shannon Gaels)
10; Rian Cotter, (Kilrush)
13; Robbie Kelly, (Kildysart)
20; John Greene (Corofin)
12; Thomas Dillon, (Doonbeg)
14; Liam Keane, (Lissycasey
15; Sean O’Callaghan, (St Josephs)
Subs:
23; Michael Normoyle (St. Breckans) for S. O’Callaghan (36)
11; Zak O’Shea (Doonbeg) for Bane (43);
17; Darren Fitzpatrick (St. Breckans) for Neylon (inj (45)
22; Ryan Brody (Ennistymon for R. Cotter 53)
5; Eoin Soffe (Kirush) for Killeen (inj 60)
Waterford;
1; Jack Sheehan, (Kilgobnet)
2; Arlo McManus, (Tramore)
3; James Skehaan, (Rathgormack)
4; Shay Healy, (Geraldines);
5; Caolan Johnston, (Gaultier)
6; Anthony O’Donnell, Brickey Rangers),
7; Liam O’Grady, (Gaulier)
8; Charlie Kelly, (Geraldines)
9; Tomáás Wash, (The Nire)
10; Enda Bloomer, (Gaultier)
11; Aidan McMaugh, (The Nire)
12; Ronan Kirwan, (Rathgormack)
13; Dara Gough, (Stradbay)
14; Charllie Smyth, (Tramore)
22; Sam Andeso (Ballyduff)
Subs; 20 Darragh Hutchinson for Masterson (45)
15; Rian Hallahan for C. Kelly (45)
24; Alex Reddin for T. Wash (50)
Referee; Ciaran Murphy, Cork
