Clare pass Laois test all too easily

 

Clare 1-32   Laois 0-15

Going into Saturday’s hurling qualifier tie at Cusack Park, Clare were favourites to prevail but only after a stern examination.

This was based on Laois’ performance against Galway in the Leinster semi-final, when they put the then provincial title holders to the pin of their collars. Also factored in was Clare’s disappointing result against Cork in the provincial semi-final.

Clare did justify favouritism on Saturday but it was much, much easier than predicted. Indeed, Davy Fitzgerald’s charges had secured their place in this Saturday’s round-three qualifier with Wexford long before the final whistle sounded.

Clare made just one change in personnel from their Munster semi-final clash with Cork. Peter Duggan was in from the start and he lined out at wing-forward, with Colin Ryan moving to midfield, to the exclusion of Nicky O’Connell.

On a day when 13 of Clare’s starting line-up got on the scoresheet, the sides were level twice in the opening three minutes.

The throw-in time was delayed for 15 minutes due to the crowds trying to gain admission to the grounds coming up to the scheduled throw-in time of 3pm.

Brendan Bugler gave Clare the lead when he pointed after just 30 seconds but points from John Brophy and Zane Keenan had the visitors ahead for the only time by the third minute before fit again John Conlon tied up the game for the final time.

Peter Duggan, with the first of four points, gave Clare a lead they would hold to the end when he found the target in the fourth minute. He repeated the feat a minute later.

It was 0-6 to 0-4 in Clare’s favour by the eighth minute and from here on, pulled away. Five points in four minutes put them seven clear by the 15th minute and Laois were clearly in difficulty in a number of positions, forcing them into two changes in personnel before the half-time whistle sounded.

Nine points ahead at the break (0-17 to 0-9), Clare were very much in control and they took up where they had left off when the second half got underway.

By the three-quarter stage, Clare’s advantage was 14 points (0-25 to 0-11) and with their passage to the next round secure, the management team were able to give game time to members of the squad.

Shane O’Donnell, Aaron Cunningham, Liam Markham, Seadna Morey and Jonathon Clancy were all introduced and O’Donnell got the game’s only goal with a minute of normal time remaining.

In all, 15 players got on the scoresheet for Clare, 13 of the starting line up plus goalscorer O’Donnell and Liam Markham.

It was a very impressive final tally for the Bannermen, who will be hoping to continue in that vein when they face Wexford in Thurles on Saturday (throw-in time 5pm).

Particularly impressive for Clare were Cian Dillon, Patrick O’Connor and Peter Duggan while, for the visitors, Matthew Whelan, Zane Keenan and goalkeeper Eoin Reilly did well.

Clare: Patrick Kelly; Domhnaill O’Donovan, David McInerney, Cian Dillon; Brendan Bugler, Patrick Donnellan, Patrick O’Connor; Colm Galvin, Colin Ryan; John Conlon, Tony Kelly, Peter Duggan; Paudge Collins, Darach Honan, Conor McGrath.
Subs: Shane O’Donnell for Honan (41 minutes), Aaron Cunningham for Conlon (53 minutes), Liam Markham for Galvin (55 minutes), Seadna Morey for Bugler (57 minutes) and Jonathon Clancy for Ryan (60 minutes). 65’, Peter Duggan (0-4),  Darach Honan, Conor McGrath (0-3) each, Shane O’Donnell (1-0), Paudge Collins (0-2), David McInerney, Cian Dillon, Brendan Bugler, Patrick Donnellan, Patrick O’Connor, Colm Galvin, John Conlon, Tony Kelly and Liam Markham (0-1) each.
Frees for: 11; Wides: 14; 65s: 2.
Bookings: Patrick Kelly (24 minutes).
Laois: Eoin Kelly; Brian Stapleton, Darren Maher, John A Delaney; Joe Fitzpatrick, Matthew Whelan, Gearóid Burke; Cahir Healy, James Walsh; Stephen Maher, Zane Keenan, Tommy Fitzgerald; John Brophy, Willie Hyland, Brian Dunne.
Subs: PJ Cully for Brophy (23 minutes), Conor Dunne for Walsh (34 minutes), Bill Duggan for B Dunne (45 minutes), Ben Conroy for Fitzgerald (60 minutes) and Andrew Collier for Healy (61 minutes).
Scorers: Stephen Maher (0-5, 3f), Zane Keenan (0-4, 1f), Willie Hyland (0-3), PJ Cully (0-2), John Brophy (0-1).
Frees for: 11   Wides: 8.
Bookings: John Brophy (17 minutes), Willie Hyland (31 minutes), Bill Duggan (46 minutes).
Referee: Colm Lyons, Cork.