*Patrick Crotty breaks through. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

CURRENTLY sitting at top of the table in Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League, Clare’s hurlers will be content with their showings to date.

Their most recent outing saw them record a one point away win to Waterford. Seamus Hayes rates the performances of the nineteen Clare players who saw action.

Eibhear Quilligan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)

Eibhear didn’t really have much to do in terms of shot stopping, couldn’t really do much about the Waterford goal. He distributed the ball well from his puckouts varying short and long while he made himself available for passes when defenders found themselves under a big of pressure.

Rating: 7

Conor Leen. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
2: Conor Leen, Corofin

Hampered by injury a lot over the past two years he put in a great 70 minute shift in this one and he and all Clare supporters will have been delighted that he got through injury free. He was one of Clare’s better players on the day and denied Waterford a number of scores in this hard fought battle

Rating: 8

Conor Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)

Full back Conor Cleary, the current team captain who hails from Miltown Malbay but plays his club hurling with Kilmaley was under a bit of pressure from the Waterford full forward line. He will have been disappointed with how Sean Walsh got past him for Waterford’s goal. Despite being under pressure he won a couple of very good possessions early in the game. He didn’t come out for the second half due to a leg injury and there is concern as to whether or not he will have recovered in time for the game against Wexford

Rating: 6

4: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)

Like full back Conor Cleary he struggled to deal with a number of Waterford attacks. While his initial direct opponent Stephen Bennett failed to score from play, Hayes conceded a couple of frees which led to scores

Rating: 6

Sean Walsh struggles to shake off John Conlon and Conor Leen. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
5: John Conlon (Clonlara)

Not named as part of the panel for this game which was released on Friday night, the Clonlara star lined out at wing back and followed on from his outstanding season in 2023 with both club and county with a solid display holding his initial opponent, the highly rated Michael Kiely scoreless.

Rating: 7

David McInerney controls the sliotar as Jack Prendergast closes in. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
6: David McInerney (Tulla)

The argument rages on amongst followers as to what the Tulla man’s best position is. Over the years he has figured in a number of different positions for Clare. Like a number of his team mates, he struggled at times on Sunday to deal with Waterford’s attacking style.

Rating: 6

Cian Galvin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
7: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)

Another player who has had his share of injuries in recent times, Galvin had an impressive display on Sunday. He was always available to assist a colleague and found time to chip in with two points in the opening half.

Rating: 8

Neil Montgomery strikes as Cathal Malone attempts a hook. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)

The Ennistymon native who plays his club hurling with Sixmilebridge delivered another solid display, contributing a point to the final tally. Not as prominent as he was in the win over Cork a week earlier, he got through some good work

Rating: 7

9: Sean Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)

Having made his debut a week earlier against Cork when he was substituted at half time, the young Inagh/Kilnamona man, delivered an excellent performance in this tie. His workrate was very impressive helping both defence and attack and he contributed two impressive points to the final tally on his way to the man of the match selection

Rating: 8

Tom Barron can find no way beyond David Fitzgerald. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
10: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)

The 2022 All-star had a quiet outing and he was replaced in the final quarter. A key member of the panel, this was one of his quieter days and, like a number of the forward line, he struggled to break down a hard working Waterford defence.

Rating: 6

Robin Mounsey. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
11: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)

The centre forward was another of the Clare forwards who found it hard to get the upperhand on his opponent in this tie. With an impressive performance against Cork a week earlier under his belt, he is sure to be in the running for a regular place in the side this season

Rating: 7

Patrick Crotty. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
24: Patrick Crotty (Scariff)

Another of the players who have come through from the under 20 runs, the Scariff clubman worked hard throughout this tie and contributed 0-2 to his side’s final tally.

Rating: 7

Ian Galvin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
18: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)

Ian started very impressively firing over two points inside the first ten minutes but he faded from here on. In fairness much of this was due to the fact that Waterford cut off supply of ball to the Clare full forward line.

Rating: 6

Aidan McCarthy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
14: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)

Having disappointed a week earlier against Cork when he failed to reach the high standard of play he had set throughout last year, Aidan showed much improved form this week. Back on duty with the frees in the absence of Mark Rodgers he was the game’s top scorer with 0-8, six from placed balls.

Rating: 7

David Reidy offloads possession. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
12: David Reidy (Éire Óg)

Éire Óg clubman David Reidy was busy as usual contributing a point while helping to create a number of opportunities which led to scores for the Banner men.

Rating: 7

Subs:

21: John Conneally (Clooney/Quin)

Another of the promising young players in the squad at present, he came into the backline at half time in place of the injured Conor Cleary and delivered a solid performance.

Rating: 7

19: Shane Meehan (Banner)

Banner clubman Shane Meehan came into the action for the final twenty five minutes and was his usual busy self. He contributed 0-1 and was a little unlucky not to have had another score.

Rating: 7

Gearoid Sheedy flicks the sliotar beyond Darragh Lyons. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
15: Gearoid Sheedy (Ogonnelloe)

Introduced for the final quarter and tried to make himself involved in the game.

Rating: 6

19: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge).

Came into the side for the final quarter and got through some good work.

Rating: 6

17: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)

Not on long enough for a rating

Related News

donna mcgettigan library 1
McGettigan 'quietly confident' Sinn Féin swell will return to Clare
handbag 1
63 year old Kilrush who sold counterfeit Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton goods at knock-down prices escapes jail
matthew moroney 1
Moroney pledges to do 'whatever it takes' to reopen Ennis Hospital A&E
june dillon lissycasey 6
'It's clear we're leaving older people behind' warns Aontú's June Dillon
Latest News
june dillon lissycasey 6
'It's clear we're leaving older people behind' warns Aontú's June Dillon
timmy dooley library 2
Dooley back with a vengeance to try win back Dáil seat
microphone radio station 1
Clare man tells court he found about late farmer brother's funeral arrangements on local radio
barry o'donovan 2
Big parties don't want to fix the housing crisis - O'Donovan
leonora carey 2
Ballot Beats: Endorsements would see Carey do handsomely if running in suburban leafy Dublin
Premium
timmy dooley library 2
Dooley back with a vengeance to try win back Dáil seat
microphone radio station 1
Clare man tells court he found about late farmer brother's funeral arrangements on local radio
barry o'donovan 2
Big parties don't want to fix the housing crisis - O'Donovan
joe cooney 6
Cooney's 'Talk to Joe' campaign gathering momentum
cows livestock 1
Farmers & livestock terrorised as illegal hunting persists across North Clare

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top