All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

Clare 2-28 Wexford 1-19

Croke Park awaits Clare for the third successive season after Brian Lohan’s side bounced back to winning ways to see off 14 man Wexford in FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, writes Eoin Brennan.

Having suffered a deflating third Munster Final reverse in a row against Limerick, the Banner needed to respond and did so thanks to a powerful second half display in which they outgunned their Leinster opponents by 2-10 to 0-04 in a devastasting 20 minute period.

Emphatic solo goals for the outstanding Shane O’Donnell and impact sub Ian Galvin were decisive hammerblows to Wexford’s already fading chances after Rory O’Connor needlessly earned himself two yellow cards in the first 32 minute to receive an early shower.

Clare led from the outset with the first four points within five minutes of the throw-in through Mark Rodgers, David Reidy, Conor Leen and Aron Shanagher on their way to building up a seven point cushion by the 24th minute.

Typifying their seesaw form within games, Clare did let their foot off the gas though and would be royally punished as Wexford dramatically settled with a 1-4 unanswered blitz in just seven minutes. The turning point at the half hour mark centred around a sloppy defensive error that coughed up a black card for David McInerney and a penalty for Rory O’Connor that Lee Chin dispatched to the bottom left corner of Eibhear Quilligan’s net at 0-12 to 1-09.

However, just when it seemed as if Wexford had turned a corner, they skilfully reversed back around it as Rory O’Connor’s late challenge on David Reidy, his second on the influential Éire Óg man, earned him a second yellow card in the 32nd minute.

Tony Kelly exploited the extra space with two late points to ensure a 0-15 to 1-10 edge for Clare by the break as even though Wexford rallied to draw level once more on the restart, the Banner soon made their extra man count as Diarmuid Ryan swept up at the back to lay siege on their opponents overstretched rearguard.

Successive points from O’Donnell, David Fitzgerald and David Reidy reopened the gap and once Clare returned to their full complement, there would be no way back for a warweary Wexford.

In the 43rd minute, Reidy teed up Shane O’Donnell to bear down on goal before finding the net while ten minutes later John Conlon played a low ball down the left wing for replacement Galvin to collect, turn his mark and cut inside before nestling an inch perfect shot to the far bottom right corner of Mark Fanning’s net at 2-19 to 1-16.

There could have been more goals as Tony Kelly and Patrick Crotty’s rebound were both repelled by Fanning entering the final quarter while fellow substitiute Shane Meehan also had a last gasp effort expertly denied.

Wexford too had their chances with Richie Lawlor and Lee Chin forcing Quilligan into stops albeit that Clare were consistently keeping the scoreboard ticking over with points as Diarmuid Ryan, Mark Rodgers and the rampant O’Donnell all grabbed final quarter braces.

Clare’s fifth consecutive championship victory over Wexford sets up a third All-Ireland Semi-Final showdown with Kilkenny in Croke Park on Saturday week.

Tony Kelly of Clare signing autographs in the tunnel following their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final win over Wexford at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

A happy Brian Lohan, Clare manager, with his proud daughters Lucy and Ciara following their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final win over Wexford at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

A tense Brian Lohan, Clare manager on the sideline during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Aidan Mc Carthy of Clare in action against Darragh Carley of Wexford during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Kevin Foley of Wexford in action against David Reidy of Clare during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Tony Kelly of Clare in action against Conor Foley of Wexford during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Ian Galvin of Clare celebrates a goal during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Ian Galvin of Clare in action against Eoin Ryan of Wexford during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Mark Rodgers of Clare is treated for an injury during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Lee Chin of Wexford in action against Shane O Donnell of Clare during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Cathal Dunbar of Wexford in action against Mark Rodgers of Clare during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Shane O Donnell of Clare celebrates a goal during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Matthew O Hanlon of Wexford in action against Mark Rodgers of Clare during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Shane O Donnell of Clare in action against Shane Reck of Wexford during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Eibhear Quilligan of Clare fails in stopping a penalty during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

David Mc Inerney of Clare is shown a black card by Johnny Murphy, referee, during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Rory O Connor of Wexford in action against Conor Cleary (C) of Clare during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Simon Donohoe of Wexford in action against Cathal Malone of Clare during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Lee Chin of Wexford in action against John Conlon and Conor Leen of Clare during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Diarmuid Ryan of Clare in action against Richie Lawlor of Wexford during their All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Thurles. Photograph by John Kelly.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle); Conor Leen (Corofin), Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), Adam Hogan (Feakle); David McInerney (Tulla), John Conlon (Clonlara), Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe); Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona), David Reidy (Éire Óg), Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin); Mark Rodgers (Scariff), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg), Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)

Subs: Ian Galvin (Clonlara) for Duggan (45), Patrick Crotty (Scariff) for Fitzgerald (56), Cian Galvin (Clarecastle) for Conlon (58), Shane Meehan (Banner) for Shanagher (60), Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Rodgers (66)

Scorers: Shane O’Donnell (1-4); Mark Rodgers (0-6f); Tony Kelly (0-6, 1f); Ian Galvin (1-1); David Reidy (0-3); David Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Ryan (0-2 each); Conor Leen, Aron Shanagher, Shane Meehan, Aidan McCarthy (’65) (0-1 each)

Wexford: Mark Fanning (Glynn-Barntown); Matthew O’Hanlon (St James’), Eoin Ryan (St Anne’s), Shane Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien); Conor Foley (Horeswood), Damien Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien), Simon Donohue (Shelmaliers); Conor Hearne (Shelmaliers), Liam Óg McGovern (St Anne’s); Richie Lawlor (Faythe Harriers), Charlie McGuckin (Naomh Éanna), Rory O’Connor (St Martin’s); Conor McDonald (Naomh Éanna), Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers), Cian Byrne (St Mogue’s Fethard)

Subs: Cathal Dunbar (Naomh Éanna) for McGovern (44), Kevin Foley (Rapparees) for McGuckin (46), Corey Byrne Dunbar (Ferns St Aidan’s) for Byrne (55), Darragh Carley (Glynn-Barntown) for Lawlor (67), Seamus Casey (Oylegate-Glenbrien) for McDonald (68)

Scorers: Lee Chin (1-6, 1-0 Pen, 5f); Conor Foley (0-3, 1sl); Rory O’Connor, Kevin Foley (0-2); Mark Fanning (f), Conor Hearne, Cian Byrne, Conor McDonald, Cathal Dunbar, Seamus Casey (0-1 each)

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)