*Thomas Dillon scored the winning goal for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
AN INJURY time goal from Thomas Dillon has sent Clare’s minor footballers through to phase two of the Munster championship.
Clare 2-8
Tipperary 2-6
Venue: Clarecastle
With Páirc Naomh Mhuire in Quilty ruled unplayable on Sunday, the game was moved to the superbly appointed Clarecastle where Clare looked to be cruising to a comfortable win two minutes into the second half at which time they led by ten points.
Then hitherto unbeaten Tipperary got a grip on proceedings after referee Ciaran Murphy from Cork black-carded Clare defender Tristan O’Loughlin and awarded Tipperary a penalty which full forward Conor O’Meara converted.
The harsh decision clearly rocked Clare and for the next fifteen minutes Tipperary dictated matters, taking the lead with five minutes remaining when Cillian Morrissey got in for their second goal.
Now Clare looked to be heading out of the championship but they refused to accept defeat. Five minutes of ‘added time’ was signalled and halfway through this period the home side struck a vital blow.
Defender Stephen O’Neil made a great run down the left flank of the attack ad when his rasping shot was parried, Thomas Dillon was following up and flicked the ball to the net to the delight of the Clare following.
Tipperary tried hard to get back up field but Clare held firm for victory and go through to phase 2 as runners up to Waterford in phase 1 of the championship.
With Clare ahead 1-6 to 0-1 at the interval in Clarecastle and with Limerick 1-9 to 0-4 in front against Waterford in Leamybrien at the same time, calculators were out. Had both games ended in wins for Clare and Limerick it would have left them and Waterford even on two wins each and it would be down to score difference to determine who would go through.
Things changed at both venues in the second half and with time almost up Tipperary led in Clarecastle and Waterford were ahead and that scenario would have left Tipperary, Clare and Limerick level battling for second place.
In the end the calculators weren’t required as Waterford go through as winners of the group with Clare in second place and both now join Cork and Kerry in phase 2 which will give the sides three more games each.
Paddy Neylon and Michael Normoyle were ruled out of the Clare side due to injury leading to Tadhg Bane and Thomas Dillon coming into the team.
Clare dominated the opening quarter at the end of which they were 1-3 to 0-0 in front, 1-2 coming from Liam Keane with Dillon getting the other score. Such was their dominance that they should have been much further ahead at this point.
Tipperary’s first incursion into the Clare half yielded a ‘45 which goalkeeper Danny Cashin converted for their only score of the half.
After Dillon and Keane pointed in as many minutes at the start of the second half everything pointed to a comfortable Clare win. However things changed dramatically with the black card to O’Loughlin and the penalty award eight minutes into the half.
Tipperary dictated the next fifteen minutes hitting 1-5 without reply including the only two pointer of the tie. While under pressure and a man down for ten minutes Clare battled hard and denied the visitors scores on a number of occasions before putting in that strong finish to claim victory.
Shane Cahill, Caelum Killeen, Rian Cotter, Thomas Dillon, and Liam Keane played key roles for the Banner side.
Scorers; Clare; Liam Keane (1-5, 4f); Thomas Dillon (1-2, 0-1 f) Robbie Kelly (0-1.
Scorers Tipperary; Conor O’Meara (1-1, 1-0 pen, 0-1f); Cillian Morrissey (1-1); Hugh Caarolan (0-2, tp) Danny Cashin (free), Jack Donnelly (0-1) each.
Clare;
1: Conor Griffin (Ennistymon)
2: Tristan O’Loughin (St Breckans)
3: Siney Neenan (Kildysart)
4: Caelum Killeen (Lissycasey)
5: Darren Fitzpatrick (St Breckans)
6: Shane Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
7: Stephen O’Neill, (Éire Óg)
8: Tadhg Bane (Banner)
9: Jack Lavin (Ennistymon;
10: Rian Cotter (Kilrush)
11: Robbie Kelly (Kildysart)
23: Zak O’Shea (Doonbeg)
24: Thomas Dillon (Doonbeg)
14: Liam Keane (Lissycasey)
15: Sean O’Calaghan (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
Subs:
20: John Greene (Corofin) for J. Lavin (40)
19: Eoin Soffe (Kilrush Shamrocks) for D. Fitzpatrick (49)
17: Gavin Browne (Cooraclare) for Bane (53)
18: Niall Burke (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Neenan (59)
21: Iarla Byrne (St Breckans) for O’Shea (61)
Tipperary;
1: Dany Cashin (Killenaaule) ;
2: Nicholas Walsh (Cashel King Cormacs)
4: Conor Hurley (Moyle Rovers) Capt.
22: Oisin O’Reilly (Clonmel Óg);
5: Reuben Grace (Gatee Rovers/St. Pecaun’s)
6: Evan Lonergan (Emly)
3: Oisin McCarthy (Moyle Rovers);
8: Cian Cahill (J.K. Brackens)
9: Adam O’Callaghan (Portroe);
18: Charlie Brazil (Aherlow)
11: Hugh Caroan (Moyle Rovers)
12: Jack Donnelly (Golden-Kilfeacke);
13: Cilliaan Morrissey (Moyle Rovers)
14: Cor O’Meara (Grange Mockler-Ballyeale)
15: Tadhg Dunlea (Ballyooby-Castlegrace)
Subs:
7: Ciaran Hennessy (Aherlow) for O’Reilly (20);
20: Donal O’Callaghan (Clonmel Commercials) for N.Walsh (HT)
10: Rory Dunphy (Clonmel Commercials) for Cahill (53)
19: Eoin O’Connell (Aherlow) for Dunlea (56)
Referee: Ciaran Murphy (Cork)
