Curran the difference for Déise
PATRICK CURRAN was Waterford’s inspiration in what is likely to be the Déise’s final match at Walsh Park for at least two years as they saw off Clare in front of a 2,656strong crowd.
Curran’s 1-13 haul proved the major difference between the sides but wasn’t enough for Waterford to avoid a relegation play-off with Munster rivals Cork thanks to a disappointing start to their League campaign.
The Banner arrived in Waterford already assured of their place in the quarter-final stages before yesterday’s throw-in, and will be hoping to recover ahead of next weekend’s last-eight ties.
At the break, Waterford led by 1-13 to 1-10, having weathered Clare’s strong opening.
Peter Duggan got the visitors off the mark with a free after 72 seconds, with Déise wing-back Kieran Bennett levelling matters after three minutes.
Duggan converted Clare’s second free in the fourth minute, while Curran opened his account with a sixth-minute free from 35 metres.
Banner wing-forward David Reidy got forward to finish off a sweeping move involving David McInerney, David Fitzgerald and Conor McGrath after nine minutes, with Cathal Malone extending Clare’s lead following a fine surge and strike barely a minute later.
Ian Galvin capitalised on a rare error by Tadhg de Burca to raise a white flag in the 11th minute but a further free from Curran left Waterford just two points in arrears after 12 minutes.
Waterford goalkeeper Ian O’Regan comfortably handled Peter Duggan’s 13th-minute goal attempt, and from the resulting attack, Conor Gleeson managed to thunder down the inside right channel and fire between the posts.
Former Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly mustered an immediate reply for Clare with a fine point, with Shane O’Donnell’s subsequent effort leaving three points between the sides by the quarterhour mark.
Stephen Bennett then opened his account for Waterford after DJ Foran had lost his footing in the 16th minute, but the Clare support collectively rose to celebrate Conor McGrath’s goal from pointblank range following Ian Galvin’s composed assist to go five points clear.
And when Seanda Morey bombarded forward from the half-back line to rifle over a superb 18th minute point, it looked as though the Banner were just beginning to hit their stride.
But Waterford regrouped with vigour between then and the interval, with Curran marshalling the hosts’ recovery.
The Dungarvan clubman turned over frees in the 22nd, 24th and 27th minutes, with Mikey Kearney, captain Kevin Moran and Curran, this time from play, restoring parity by the 29th minute. Two minutes later, Curran sent Waterford ahead before David Reidy ended a 15 minute wait for Clare’s next score.
But Curran immediately replied for the Déise, scooping the sliothar beyond Donal Tuohy after Stephen Bennett’s initial effort had been blocked. Clare’s Ian Galvin completed the first-half scoring in additional time.
The second half proved an endto-end affair on a surface which had recovered remarkably well in the wake of Storm Emma.
Clare got back on level terms in both the 44th and 52nd minutes with John Conlon and Kelly both impressing but Waterford, primarily through Curran and ably assisted by Mikey Kearney, edged back ahead in the closing quarter.
A second yellow card for Waterford’s Conor Gleeson in the closing moments didn’t deter a Derek McGrath’s side, whose attacking compliment was boosted by the respective introductions of Tom Devine and Tommy Ryan. WATERFORD: I O’Regan; S Fives, B Coughlan, I Kenny; T de Búrca, A Gleeson, K Bennett; M O’Brien (C Prunty 54), C Gleeson; K Moran (M Shanahan 61), S Bennett (Philip Mahony 70), DJ Foran (T Ryan 50); M Walsh (T Devine 50), M Kearney, P Curran. Scorers: P Curran 1-13 (0-6f); M Kearney 0-4; S Bennett 0-2; A Gleeson, K Bennett, C Gleeson, K Moran 0-1. Red card: C Gleeson 68. CLARE: D Tuohy; P O’Connor (J Shanahan 60), C Cleary, J Browne (P Flanagan 69); S Morey (M O’Malley 52), D McInerney, D Fitzgerald; C Malone (C McInerney 67), T Kelly; I Galvin (R Taylor 68), J Conlon, D Reidy; S O’Donnell, P Duggan, C McGrath. Scorers: P Duggan 0-5 (4f); T Kelly 0-4; C McGrath 1-1; D Reidy 0-3; I Galvin, J Conlon 0-2; S Morey, C Malone, S O’Donnell 0-1. Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).