FOOTBALL: Clare minor footballers off to a flyer

Munster Minor Football Championship Round 1
Clare 4-18 Waterford 0-4

CLARE couldn’t have asked for a more ideal or indeed comfortable start to their Munster campaign after bypassing Waterford in style in Wolfe Tones GAA in Shannon on Thursday evening, writes Eoin Brennan.
The shot count alone of 45 to 10 in the hosts’ favour told the tale of a sorely one-sided contest that was lit up by inside duo Cathal Talty and Conor Fennell who between them accounted for 4-10 of the home side’s handsome tally.
Fennell, a survivor from the minor class of 2021, raided for 3-2 including a brace of first half rebound goals in the space of three minutes that finally lifted Clare to new heights. Up to that point, Clare’s utter dominance wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard as four missed goal opportunities were matched by as many wides to only lead by 0-3 to 0-0 by the 20 minute mark.
Fennell had kicked two of those points alongside an opener for the exceptional Cathal Talty who was easily the player-of-the-game with his excellent footwork matched by a superb scoring feat of 1-8.
The pair would combine for the richly deserved opening goal in the 22nd minute as Talty earned a penalty that was initially stopped by goalkeeper Conor Moore, only for taker Fennell to finish at the second attempt.
Visiting goalkeeper Moore was Waterford’s only real resistor over the hour, having already kept out efforts from Mark Kelleher and Fennell. And the Ardmore clubman would come to his side’s rescue again in the 25th minute to repel a Darren Keane one-on-one albeit that Fennell was again on hand to sidefoot the rebound to the net at 2-4 to 0-0.
Keane did respond with the next two points before Waterford finally opened their account in injury-time with a Jack Power free. However, even that consolation would be matched by Talty’s third point of the half as Clare went in 2-7 to 0-1 in front, with the conditions to come.
With the realisation of tougher tests to come, Clare duly kept their foot firmly on the pedal on the resumption, adding a further unanswered rally of 1-7 to build up an unassailable 3-14 to 0-1 cushion by the turn of the final quarter.
Colm Meaney, Evan Cahill and worthy captain Sean McMahon (2) chipped in with scores but it was Talty’s 1-3 that inflicted the majority of the latest wound. His 44th minute goal stemmed from an outstanding interception and slaloming run from full-back Daire Hill that was eventually finished to the net by Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Talty after rounding the goalkeeper.
Hill’s Lissycasey clubmates Michael Kelly and Darragh Killeen also stood out for a buoyant Banner who following that third goal, emptied their bench to good effect.
Substitute Colin Riordan grabbed a point while Ronan Kilroy also looked busy as Clare eased up to victory but not before Fennell completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute with an accurate flick.
With Tipperary getting the better of Limerick by seven points in the other Phase 1 opener by 1-15 to 1-8, Waterford’s challenge won’t get any easier but at least they have home advantage against the Premier next Thursday (7pm).
A wounded Limerick host Clare in Rathkeale at the same time, with another victory for Dermot Coughlan’s side effectively assuring a place in the Phase 1 decider with a game to spare.

Waterford’s Shane Power works the ball out of defence ahead of Clare’s Mark Kelleher. Photography by Eugene McCafferty Clare 4-18 Waterford 0-04

Clare midfielder Evan Cahill drives forward with the ball as Waterford’s Darragh O’Neill gives chase. Photography by Eugene McCafferty Clare 4-18 Waterford 0-04

Clare midfielder Evan Cahill moves past Waterford fullback Adam Murray with ease. Photography by Eugene McCafferty Clare 4-18 Waterford 0-04

Clare fullback Daire Hill sets up his side’s third goal. Photography by Eugene McCafferty Clare 4-18 Waterford 0-04

Clare’s Cathal Talty taps the ball to the net for a goal after rounding Waterford goalkeeper Conor Moore. Photography by Eugene McCafferty Clare 4-18 Waterford 0-04

Clare midfielder Tadgh Lysaght wins this aerial contest with Waterford’s Ollie Buck. Photography by Eugene McCafferty Clare 4-18 Waterford 0-04

Clare’s Colin Riordan drives at the Waterford defence. Photography by Eugene McCafferty Clare 4-18 Waterford 0-04

Clare: Cian Howard (Éire Óg); Michael Kelly (Lissycasey), Daire Hill (Lissycasey), Niall Fitzgerald (Wolfe Tones); Sean McMahon (Banner) (Captain), Paddy Nagle (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), Jake Garry (Cooraclare); Evan Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Tadhg Lysaght (Kilrush Shamrocks); Colm Meaney (Clondegad), Darren Keane (Lissycasey), Mark Kelleher (Ennistymon); Cathal Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Conor Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks), Darragh Killeen (Lissycasey)
Subs: Gavin O’Shea (Doonbeg) for Kelleher (48), Paudie Considine (Ennistymon) for Cahill (48), Colin Riordan (Wolfe Tones) for Keane (48), Ronan Kilroy (Banner) for Garry (51), Caden Deegan Herlihy (Banner) for Meaney (51)

Scorers: Cathal Talty (1-8, 2f); Conor Fennell (3-2); Darren Keane, Sean McMahon (1f) (0-2 each); Colm Meaney, Evan Cahill, Colin Riordan, Tadhg Lysaght (0-1 each)

Waterford: Conor Moore (St Declan’s Ardmore); Darragh Murphy (Fenor), Adam Murray (Rathgormack), Brian Curran (Dungarvan); Seamie Wall (The Nire), Shane Power (Kilrossanty), Tadhg Leane (Rathgormack); Ollie Buck (Fenor), Kyle Moloney (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg); Darragh O’Neill (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg), Cathal Sweeney (Ballinacourty), Jack Power (Kilrossanty); Darryl Harty (Dungarvan), Seanie Flavin (Colligan) (Captain), Kyle Flynn (Gaultier)
Subs: Aaron Quinn (Brickey Rangers) for O’Neill (HT), Darragh Jacob (St Saviour’s) for Buck (36), Tom Gardner (Brickey Rangers) for Wall (41), Fergal O’Brien (Gaultier) for Moloney (45), Charlie Power (Rathgormack) for Flynn (53)

Scorers: Jack Power 0-3 (3f), Darryl Harty (0-1)

Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan (Kerry)