Clare gr-eight-ful for timely silverware

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Final

Clare 3-16 Kilkenny 1-20

Clare received the perfect pre-championship boost after finally holding off roll of honour leaders Kilkenny to garner a first National Hurling League title in eight years in FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, writes Eoin Brennan.

Following a tentative opening half match-up, Clare raided for a timely goal either side of half-time (1-8 to 0-9) through Aidan McCarthy and David Fitzgerald to seize full control of the contest. However, the Banner still couldn’t fully shake off the stubborn Cats who kept in touch mainly through Eoin Cody and half-time reolacement Martin Keoghan.

Not even a second goal for the buoyant McCarthy at the turn of the final quarter could out the tie beyond doubt as Kilkenny somehow teed up a nervy grandstand finish. A 65th minute opportunist goal through Cody halved the deifict to just three while it had to take an Eibhear Quiligan penalty save to deny the Ballyhale Shamrocks sharpshooter from potentially forcing extra-time.

Despite a numerical disadvantage for the final seven minutes after Mark Rodgers recieved a black card for the penalty incident to stop John Donnelly from bearing down on goal, the Banner admirably held out for what could yet be a hugely significant victory.

After all, while it was important for this group to win silverware ahead of their latest cut-throatMunster Senior Championship round-robin seires, it was just as important not to let it slip in those final frantic minutes as they eventually emerged unscathed.

McCarthy’s remarkable 2-10 haul was only surpassed by a heroically display from corner-back Adam Hogan who repreatedly broke Kilkenny’s heart and hurleys in inspirational fashion.

John Conlon, David Reidy, captain Conor Cleary and Mark Rodgers were others to excel in only Clare’s fifth ever National League triumph.

The welcome return of Shane O’Donnell and David McInerney were also feted by the sizeable Banner support who after opening their Munster Minor and Under 20 Championship campaigns in winning fashion, will hope to maintain that momentum for the five-in-a-row chasing Limerick who roll into Ennis in their provincial senior opener in just a fortnight’s time.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle); Adam Hogan (Feakle), Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), Conor Leen (Corofin); Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), John Conlon (Clonlara), Cian Galvin (Clarecastle); Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones), Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge); David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona), David Reidy (Éire Óg), Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin); Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona), Mark Rodgers (Scariff), Ian Galvin (Clonlara)

Subs: Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg) for I. Galvin (HT), Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones) for Reidy (52), David McInerney (Tulla) for C. Galvin (56), Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones) for Leen (59), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge) for Lohan (67)

Scorers: Aidan McCarthy (2-10, 9f); David Fitzgerald (1-0); Mark Rodgers (0-2); Darragh Lohan, Diarmuid Ryan, Ian Galvin, Cathal Malone (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Shane Murphy (Glenmore), Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels), Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan); David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels), Richie Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks); Cian Kenny (James Stephens), Jordan Molloy (O’Loughlin Gaels); Adrian Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks), John Donnelly (Thomastown), Billy Ryan (Graigue-Ballycallan); Billy Drennan (Galmoy), Luke Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels), Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

Subs: Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan) for Hogan (29), Timmy Clifford (Dicksboro) for Drennan (44), Kevin Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge) for Molloy (49), Liam Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge) for Ryan (60)

Scorers: Eoin Cody (1-4, 3f); Martin Keoghan (0-4); Adrian Mullen (0-3); Cian Kenny (0-2); Billy Drennan (f), Shane Murphy, Billy Ryan, David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Jordan Molloy, John Donnelly (0-1 each)

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)