*Conor Leen who made his starting league debut makes a block. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’s senior hurlers have recorded back to back wins to move top of the Division 1A table in the Allianz National Hurling League.
Clare 0-20
Waterford 1-16
Venue: Walsh Park
For the second week in succession, a strong third quarter proved decisive for Clare as they recorded a one point win over Waterford in the second round of the league.
On level terms at half tie after playing with the aid of a strong wind, the advantage looked to be with the home side heading into the second half but four unanswered points inside the opening ten minutes of the new half gave Clare a lead they would hold to the finish.
Waterford brought it back to the minimum with five minutes remaining but they couldn’t manage to tie up the contest which ended in a welter of excitement as they battled to try force a draw. During the excitement, Clare selector Ken Ralph was given a yellow card by referee Liam Gordon.
At the end the visitors were deservingly in front and now head the division with full points from their two outings.
There were five changes in personnel to the Clare team from that which was named to start. Adam Hogan, Diarmuid Ryan, Darragh Lohan, Mark Rodgers and Gearoid Sheedy, all due to be in Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final action later this week, were all omitted. They were replaced by Conor Leen, John Conlon, Cian Galvin, Patrick Crotty and Ian Galvin.
Brian Lohan’s Clare had the aid of a strong wind in the first half but it was the home side that made the better start and they were 1-4 to 0-2 ahead after twelve minutes, the goal having come from Seam Walsh.
Clare struggled to cope with the Waterford puckouts in the opening half and this resulted in the home side managed by Davy Fitzgerald picking off a lot of their scores. The sides went to the break on level terms, 1-9 for Waterford to 0-12 for Clare.
The third quarter proved decisive for Clare whose next outing will be an away trip to Wexford in two week’s time.
For the winners, John Conlon, Cian Galvin, Sean Rynne and Conor Leen were prominent.
Scorers for Clare: Aidan Mc CArthy (0-8 6f), Cian Galvin Sean Rynne, Ian Galvin, Patrick Crotty (0-2) each; Cathal Malone, David Fitzgerald, David Reidy, Shane Meehan 0-1 each.
Scorers Waterford: Stephen Bennett (0-6;) Sean Walsh (1-1) Conor Ryan, Patrick Curran, Shane Bennett (0-2) each; Patrick Leavey, Jack Brendergast, Daragh Lyons (0-1) each
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Conor Leen (Corofin)
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
23: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
6: David McInerney (Tulla)
5: John Conlon (Clonlara)
8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
9: Sean Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)
10: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
11: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
24: Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
18: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
14: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
12: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
Subs:
21: John Conneally (Clooney/Quin) for Cleary (HT)
20: Shane Meehan (Banner for I Galvin(47)
15: Gearoid Sheedy (Ogonnelloe) for Mounsey (55)
19: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge) for J.Conlon (55)
17: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin) for D. Fitzgerald (62)
Waterford;
1: Shaun O’Brien (De La Salle)
2: Ian Kenny (Ballygunner)
3: Mark Fitzgerald (Passage)
26: Conor Ryan (Roanmore)
7: P.J. Fanning (Mount Sion)
6: Tom Barron (Fourmlewater)
3: Mairtin Power (Clonea)
9: Patrick Curran (Dungarvan)
10: Neil Montgomery (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty)
8: Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner)
11: Jack Prendergast (Lismore)
13: Michael Kiely (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty)
14: Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart) Captain
15: Sean Walsh (Fourmilewater)
12: Padraig Fitzgerald (Kilrossanty)
Subs:
24: Kevin Mahoney (Ballygunner) for P. Fitzgerald (39)
20: Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart) for Stephen Bennett (inj (50)
18: Darragh Lyons (Dungarvan) for I. Kenny (52)
22: Seamus Fitzgerald (Kilrossanty) for S. Walsh (52)
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)
