The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Clare 0-17
Tipperary 1-13
CLARE hurling received a massive and very timely boost at Cusack Park on Wednesday evening when the minors caused an upset by beating a fancied Tipperary side to secure a place in the semi-final of the Munster championship.
Clare 0-17
Tipperary 1-13
CLARE hurling received a massive and very timely boost at Cusack Park on Wednesday evening when the minors caused an upset by beating a fancied Tipperary side to secure a place in the semi-final of the Munster championship.
This was a merited win for Clare who showed the greater commitment throughout and have now set themselves up to take on Limerick in June.
Reduced to 14 players with 10 minutes to play after the sending off of defender Enda Boyce, Clare kept their nerve despite seeing a five-point lead wiped out in just four minutes.
Midfielder Tony Kelly struck the winning point in the final minute of normal time and the home side were unlucky not to increase their lead in injury time when Niall Arthur saw his effort on goal deflect off the upright and go wide.
Their third game in seven days, this was undoubtedly Clare’s best performance of the gruelling run. They grew in confidence as the game progressed and had heroes throughout the field as they overcame the highly-fancied Premier outfit.
Clare showed two changes to their starting line-up from the side that accounted for Kerry on Saturday. Jamie Shanahan and Cathal O’Connell replaced David McInerney and Michael O’Neill and both started in the attack.
The first half was a very even affair at the end with the home side taking a one-point advantage into the break, 0-7 to 0-6.
Three times in the opening 10 minutes in the second half the teams were level before Clare opened a four-point gap with 11 minutes to play. Urged on by their supporters, the players grew in confidence as the game moved towards the final whistle.
Then Enda Boyce was sent off after picking up a second yellow card – both coming from harsh decisions – and with the advantage of an extra man, Tipp piled on the pressure.
Clare were still five points clear, 0-16 to 0-11 with six minutes to play but the next four minutes were dominated by the visitors who stunned the home side when Liam McGrath struck for the equalising goal with a minute remaining.
From the puck out Paudge Collins won possession and he found Tony Kelly who shot what proved to be the winning score. Tipperary tried hard to level again but a great catch by Jamie Shanahan killed off the last gasp move. When the game ended, Clare were on the attack and fully deserving of their lead.
Seadna Morey at corner-back was amongst the many who excelled for Clare. The half-back trio of Enda Boyce, Kevin Lynch and Stephen O’Halloran stood out while up front, Paudge Collins did well. Niall Arthur, Jamie Shanahan and Paul Flanagan also had their moments.
