By Seamus Hayes

Tipperary 2-19 Clare 0-20

Despite showing improved form on their previous league outings, Clare suffered their third defeat in succession when going under to Tipperary at Cusack Park in round 3 of the Allianz hurling league on Sunday afternoon.

Goals in the 43rd and 66th minutes proved crucial in a tie played before 7,363 patrons. Tipperary showed the greater sharpness on the day and this was a crucial factor on the day.

The visitors started brightly and led 0-4 to 0-1 after twelve minutes. With centre back Conor Ryan in excellent form Clare hit the next four points to lead by one, 0-5 to 0-4, after twenty minutes.

The home side failed to build on this, however and the premier outfit fought back and led by four, 0-13 to 0-9, when the half time whistle sounded.

Clare returned with Aaron Cunningham in at wing forward in place of Shane Golden but Tipperary hit the first two points of the new half to go six clear.

Three unanswered points for Clare got the home followers’ hopes up but a Noel McGrath goal  rocked the Bannermen eight minutes into the second period.

Clare fought back again and cut the lead to four entering the final quarter. They had it back to two with five minutes remaining, 1-18 to 0-19 and things were looking good for the hosts as they were piling on the pressure.

A minute later the winners struck a decisive blow when James Woodlock got in behind the Clare defence and he won possession from a superb Seamus Callinan pass before firing home their second goal despite the efforts of Pa Kelly who got his hurley to the effort but failed to keep the ball from crossing the goal line.

Cathal Barrett, Michael Breen, Padraic Maher, John O’Dwyer, and John McGrath were prominent for the winners while Clare’s best were Conor Ryan, David McInerney, Cian Dillon and Shane O’Donnell.

Tipperary; Darren Gleeson; Cathal Barrett, Conor O’Mahoney, Conor O’Brien; Michael Breen (0-2), Padraic Maher, Ronan Maher; Kieran Bergin, James Woodlock (1-0); Conor Kenny, John O’Dwyer (0-4), 2 frees, Niall O’Meara; Noel McGrath (1-0), Seamus Callinan (0-7), 5 frees, John McGrath (0-5);

Subs–Jason Forde (0-1) for Kenny; Gearoid Ryan for O’Meara; Shane McGrath for N. McGrath; Shane Bourke for J. McGrath; Thomas Stapleton for Woodlock

Clare;–Pa Kelly; Paul Flanagan, Cian Dillon, David McInerney; Brendan Bugler, Conor Ryan (0-5) Patrick O’Connor; Pat Donnellan, Colm Galvin (0-1); John Conlon (0-2) Tony Kelly (0-2), 1 free, Shane Golden; Conor McGrath (0-1) Shane O’Donnell (0-1) Colin Ryan (0-8), all frees;

Subs–Aaron Cunningham for Golden; Seadna Morey for Donnellan; Conor Cleary for Bugler

Referee–Brian Gavin, Offaly