*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
AN outstanding second half performance saw Clare capture the Daryl Darcy cup and victory in the phase 1 Munster minor football championship at Rathkeale.
Clare 2-12
Tipperary 0-10
Venue: Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale
A point in arrears at the halfway point they put down a marker when striking for the game’s opening goal just two minutes after the resumption of play. A sweeping move from defence ended with Sean Fennell passing to Sean O’Connell and he found the net. David Cahill quickly followed with a point, which was first signalled wide by the umpire, and Clare had opened a one goal lead.
From here they grew in confidence and kicked some great scores. They could have had a second goal at the three quarter stage but Sean Fennell’s penalty, awarded for a foul on Leo Switzer just went over the bar.
Tipperary fought hard to get back but the Clare defence held firm with the full back trio in outstanding form.
Elsewhere Aidan Weaver impressed while up front Diarmuid McMahon’s link play was outstanding while Sean Fennell and Conor Burke who delivered a man of the match display and contributed 1-8 to the tally, shone throughout.
Clare reserved, arguably, the best move of the game for the final minute when a sweeping length of the field move involving eight players ended with Fennell putting Burke through for the team’s second goal.
An evenly contested first half ended with Tipperary ahead by the minimum margin, 0-6 to 0-5. Both sides had reason to be disappointed that they didn’t had a greater tally as this stage but Clare had the greater reason.
On many occasions the distribution of ball to Clare’s forwards didn’t reach the intended target and scoring opportunities were lost.
Clare also came closest to finding the net, Conor Fennell’s effort in the sixth minute being deflected over the bar by Tipperary goalkeeper, Mark Conroy.
Clare raced into a two point lead with scores from Conor Burke and Sean Fennell and they still led by two midway through the half when the score was 0-4 to 0-2.
Tipperary were coming more into the game but a strong Clare full back line held firm.
In a ten minute spell, Tipperary landed four unanswered points before Clare finished the half with a fisted point from Conor Burke.
Clare finished with fourteen men for the last two minutes after Diarmuid Boyle picked up a second yellow card.
In the Munster minor semi-final Clare will play Cork on Tuesday evening next. After the game Munster Council Chairman Ger Ryan presented the Daryl Darcy cup to a delighted Clare captain Diarmuid Boyle.
Scorers Clare Conor Burke (1-8, 4 frees); Shane O’Connell (1-0); Sean Fennell (0-3, 1 f, I penalty) David Cahill (0-1);
Scorers: Tipperary; Charlie Walsh(3 frees) and Dylan Cottter (1 free) (0-3) each Jack Garrett, (2 frees) Patrick McDonagh (0-2)each
Clare;
Clare:
1: Eoin Byrne (St. Breckans)
2; Aaron Killeen (Lissycasey)
3; Conor Hill (Lissycasey)
4; James Blunnie (Kilrush Shamrocks)
5; Leo Switzer (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
6; Diarmuid Boyle (Doora/Barefield) (Captain)
7; Stephen Murphy (St Joseph’s Miltown)
8; Aidan Weaver (Lissycasey)
9; Colm Downes (Shannon Gaels)
10; Daniel Brody (Ennistymon
11; Sean Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks)
12; David Cahill (Clooney/Quin)
13; Diarmuid McMahon (Lissycasey)
14; Shane O’Connell (Cooraclare)
15; Conor Burke (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Subs:
17; Caleb Walsh (Banner) for Brody
19: Liam Clune (Doora/Barefield for Cahill
20: Darragh Townsend (Cooraclare) for O’Connell
24: Kevin Hanley (Wolfe Tones) for Burke
Tipperary:
1: Mark Conroy, Drom & Inch
2; Noah O’Flynn, Fethard
3; Ronan Myles, Ardfinnan
4; Gavin Neville, Fethard
5; Danny Morris, Clonmel Commercials
6; Tom Corcoran, J.K. Brackens
7; Jack Cabbett, Arravale Rovers
8; Dylan Cotter, Thurles Gaels
9; Dayle Hogan, J.K. Brackens
10; Jamel Yousif, Clonmel Og
11; Patrick Mcdsonagh, Cahir,
12; Sean Griffin, Upperchirch Drombane
13; Ciaran Kelly, Arravale Rover
14; Oran Cahan, St. Patricks
15; Charlie Walsh Fethard
Subs:
19; Cillian Healy for O Gahan
20; Jack McGonigle for C.Kelly
18; Alex Coppinger for D. Hogan
24; Thomas Shanahan for N O’Flynn;
Referee; Shane Scanlan (Cork)
