Tipperary   1-21
Clare           2-12
Failure to avail of good scoring chances and an inability to match the experience of their opponents resulted in Clare tasting defeat in the final of the Waterford Crystal Tournament at O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge on Sunday.

Before an official attendance of 1,632, Tipperary proved too strong for the home side and deservedly captured the title on a day when Clare hit 16 wides and struggled in a number of areas.
Both sides made changes from the previous week’s league outings and, in Clare’s case, the changes were enforced as Conor McGrath, Cathal McInerney, Sean Collins, Brendan Bugler and Patrick O’Connor were not eligible, due to having already played with their college sides in the competition. The absence of these players was a big loss to Clare.
By the midpoint of the second half, Clare had fought their way to within a point of the favourites who, sensing danger, introduced All-Ireland medal winners Shane McGrath, Eoin Kelly and John O’Brien and their presence helped the Premier outfit to regain the upperhand.
Tipperary started well and scored three points in as many minutes. The home side had to wait until the eighth minute for their opening point, which came from Caimin Morey. A minute later, they hit the front when teenager, Aaron Cunningham won possession from a Fergal Lynch delivery before crashing the ball to the roof of the net. A late challenge on Seadna Morey led to a free, which Colin Ryan converted and Clare were two points clear after 11 minutes.
The visitors dominated the next 10 minutes and scored 1-5 without reply to open a six-point gap. The goal came from full-forward Brian O’Meara, who caused some problems for Cian Dillon during the 70 minutes. Clare struggled in the midfield and half-forward areas to win possession and Tipperary capitalised on this. The home side improved a little in the final 10 minutes of the half and went to the break five points adrift, 1-7 to 1-12.
There was more urgency in Clare’s play on the resumption and it took a great reflex save by Brendan Cummins from Jonathon Clancy in the fourth minute of the second half to deny the home side a goal.
Ten minutes into the half the visitors had extended their lead to six, 1-15 to 1-9, but Clare were winning more possession around midfield. Nicky O’Connell and Colin Ryan converted frees, before Daire Keane broke through to fire the ball to the net. Suddenly there was just the minimum between the sides.
Tipperary had introduced Shane McGrath a few minutes before this and now they called up Eoin Kelly and John O’Brien. The presence of these three experienced players quickly helped them to regain control.
Ten scoreless minutes followed, during which Clare missed a couple of chances, before Gearóid Ryan and Kelly pointed for the winners to give them a three-point advantage.
It will be a concern for Clare that their only score in the final quarter was a pointed free from Colin Ryan, which came with four minutes remaining and cut the deficit to two.
Try as Clare did, they were unable to get any closer and Tipperary finished strongly, shooting four points without reply in the two minutes of injury time. They sealed a merited win and goalkeeper Brendan Cummins was presented with the trophy after the final whistle.
Shooting 16 wides will be a concern for Davy Fitzgerald and his management team, while they are also likely to be a little concerned about the performance of their defence, particularly in the opening half, when they allowed their opponents a lot of time and space.
Clare struggled with their short passing game and Tipperary’s greater experience ensured they weren’t given the same space they found in recent outings against Limerick and Waterford.

Tipperary: Brendan Cummins (capt); Michael Cahill, John Coghlan, Conor O’Brien; Donagh Maher, Conor O’Mahony, Shane Maher; David Young, James Woodlock; Gearóid Ryan, Noel McGrath, Adrian Ryan; John O’Neill, Brendan O’Meara, Timmy Hammersley.
Subs: Shane McGrath for A Ryan (44 minutes), Eoin Kelly for Young (57 minutes) and John O’Brien for O’Neill (59 minutes).
Scorers: James Woodlock (0-5), Noel McGrath (0-4, 2f), Conor O’Mahony (0-3, 2f, 1 65), Brendan O’Meara (1-0), John O’Neill (0-3), Eoin Kelly and Gearóid Ryan (0-2 each), Adrian Ryan and Timmy Hammersley (0-1 each).
Frees for: 12; wides: 9; 65s: 1
Bookings: None.
Clare: Donal Tuohy; Domhnaill O’Donovan, Cian Dillon, Conor Cooney; Seadna Morey, James McInerney, Enda Barrett; Nicky O’Connell, Pat Donnellan (capt); Caimin Morey, Daire Keane, Fergal Lynch; Aaron Cunningham, Colin Ryan, Jonathon Clancy.
Subs: John Conlon for Clancy (62 minutes) and Eoin Hayes for Cunningham (62 minutes).
Scorers: Daire Keane (1-1), Colin Ryan (0-4f), Nicky O’Connell (0-3f), Pat Donnellan (0-3), Aaron Cunningham (1-0) and Caimin Morey (0-1).
Frees for: 20; wides: 16
Bookings: None.
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan, Cork.

Players not out of their depth – Fitzgerald

Davy Fitzgerald, who has always been passionate about Clare hurling, was disappointed with the result of Sunday’s contest. In something of a contradiction, he said he didn’t feel the lads were out of their depth.
“We weren’t out of our depth today. We made a lot of mistakes but there is a reason for that, which I am not going to go into,” he said.
“We came back quite well. We were a bit dead today but I am very happy with the fact that they kept fighting. Tipp had all their big guys on at the end, which is a big compliment to us, that we pushed them all the way,” said the Clare boss. “They must have been worried.”
He continued, “We know we made a lot of mistakes. We heard the crowd getting onto the boys. I told the boys not to listen to the crowd, as they are not at training every week and they don’t know what we are at.
“I was happy enough today, given the amount of work we did in the last week,” said the Sixmilebridge man.
“The better team won on the day but I am happy enough with the guys. They fought hard. We have to learn to take the right option at the right time.”
Tipperary boss Declan Ryan said, “We were looking for a good performance after last week against Kilkenny. It was a tough battle. Conditions were tough underfoot and the ball wasn’t travelling that far. Our guys worked hard and I am delighted to get out with a win.
“The Clare boys came hard in the second half but our boys stuck it out well. We are delighted with the victory and it’s a good kick-start for the rest of the league.”
Looking ahead, Fitzgerald said, “Clare have a big game this week against Antrim. In our last two meetings with them, we have been lucky to beat them. We have got to be ready for the challenge.”