Experience the key as Cats pip Clare

Kilkenny 3-10   Clare 1-15

IT was, arguably, their best performance of the league to date but defeat was Clare’s lot in Round 4 of the National Hurling League on Sunday.

In bitterly cold conditions at Cusack Park, Kilkenny’s greater experience proved crucial as the home team recorded 16 wides, a dozen of which came in the second half.

The ability of the league and All-Ireland champions to score goals was a critical factor. Understandably, Clare will be disappointed with the result, given that they failed to capitalise on a number of good scoring chances but the experience gained from the game should be of great benefit as the season progresses.

This result, together with the outcome of the other two games in the group, means all six teams are still in the hunt for play-off places going into this weekend’s final round, while none are safe from the relegation play-off.

That fact makes last week’s result all the more disappointing for Clare, who certainly had enough chances to win the game.

Davy Fitzgerald and his management team made two changes to the starting line-up, both in attack. Fergal Lynch and Colm Galvin were in the starting line-up and the players to lose out were Enda Barrett and Podge Collins.

Midweek, Kilkenny had named a team that did not include regular corner-backs Paul Murphy and Jackie Tyrell, both of whom picked up injuries in the previous week’s win over Waterford. Before Sunday’s game, experienced full-back JJ Delaney was ruled out due to injury. This resulted in the switch of Kieran Joyce from the wing to full-back with Pádraig Walsh, younger brother of Tommy, getting a call-up to wing-back.

The early exchanges suggested a close contest. Ritchie Hogan gave the visitors the lead with an excellent point after just 20 seconds but Clare responded from the puck-out and Colin Ryan levelled. An Eoin Larkin free had the winners back in front before the game’s first goal came in the fifth minute. A Tony Kelly delivery caused problems for the Kilkenny defence and Colm Galvin took advantage to find the net.

It was a shortlived lead and Kilkenny were back in front in the eighth minute when Ger Aylward finished off a fine move, shooting low to the corner of the net.

At the midpoint of the half, the teams were level for the fourth time with the score at 1-4 each. Clare had a goal chance but Eoin Murphy, in the Kilkenny goal, saved well from John Conlon.

The teams were level for the seventh time after 31 minutes, at 1-7 each. Three minutes later, Kilkenny struck what proved to be a decisive blow. Tommy Walsh broke up a Clare attack and his clearance found Ger Aylward, who quickly transferred to Eoin Larkin. He hand-passed to the in-rushing Lester Ryan, who gave Patrick Kelly in the Clare goal no chance with a powerful strike. It left the score at 2-7 to 1-7 at the interval, the visitors having had the assistance of the wind.

Just 20 seconds after the resumption of play, Kilkenny net-minder Murphy made another fine save from John Conlon. The home side dominated the play in the opening period of the half but failed to find the target and by the fifth minute, they had hit four wides.

Two pointed frees by Colin Ryan had the margin down to the minimum 11 minutes into the half, by which time both sides had made a change to their team. Colin Fennelly came in for Michael Rice in the visitors’ line-up, while the Clare change was enforced as David McInerney retired due to an ankle injury. This resulted in a number of moves, which saw Domhnaill O’Donovan go to full-back, Conor Ryan switch to defence and Enda Barrett come into the game.

As the end of the third quarter approached, Kilkenny struck another blow with their third goal. Clare will be particularly disappointed with the concession of this score as they were on the attack but turned over possession rather easily. The visitors immediately went down field and Aidan Fogarty fired past Kelly in the Clare goal to extend their advantage to four points.

Clare came storming back with three points in four minutes to again cut the margin to the minimum but they were unable to get back on terms. Eoin Larkin converted two long-range frees and a 65’ to again put four between them with just six minutes to go.

Darach Honan, in the Clare attack, pointed with his first touch. This and two Colin Ryan frees left the minimum between the teams again but time ran out and when Anthony Stapleton sounded the final whistle after two minutes and four seconds of injury time, Kilkenny were ahead by one.

Brian Hogan was again a tower of strength at centre-back, while Lester Ryan had an excellent game at midfield, from where he scored 1-1. Ritchie Hogan, in a variety of positions, Eoin Larkin and Ger Aylward, until injured, made big contributions for the winners.

Domhnaill O’Donovan, David McInerney, until injured, and Brendan Bugler were strong in the Clare defence. Colin Ryan’s accuracy from placed balls was again vital, while Shane O’Donnell caused a lot of problems for the Kilkenny defence in the opening half.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Paddy Hogan, Kieran Joyce, Conor Fogarty; Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Pádraig Walsh; Lester Ryan, Michael Fennelly; Michael Rice, Ritchie Power, Eoin Larkin; Ger Aylward, Ritchie Hogan, Aidan Fogarty.
Subs: Colin Fennelly for Rice (42 mins), Walter Walsh for Power (52 mins) and Matthew Ruth for Aylward (inj, 60 mins).
Scorers: Aidan Fogarty (1-2), Eoin Larkin (0-5, 4f, 1 65’), Ger Aylward and Lester Ryan (1-1 each) and Ritchie Hogan (0-1).
Frees for: 11; wides: 11; 65s: 1.
Bookings: Padraig Walsh (8 minutes), Ritchie Hogan (14 minutes) and Tommy Walsh (55 minutes).

Clare: Patrick Kelly; Domhnaill O’Donovan, David McInerney, Seadna Morey; Brendan Bugler, Pat Donnellan (capt), Patrick O’Connor; Nicky O’Connell, Conor Ryan; Fergal Lynch, Tony Kelly, Colin Ryan; John Conlon, Shane O’Donnell, Colm Galvin.
Subs: Enda Barrett for McInerney (inj, 47 mins) and Darach Honan for Lynch (61 mins).
Scorers: Colin Ryan (0-11, 10f), Colm Galvin (1-0), John Conlon, Shane O’Donnell, Tony Kelly and Darach Honan (0-1 each).
Frees for: 20; wides: 16.
Bookings: None.

Referee: A Stapleton, Laois.