COOL HEADS
Clare grab early win over rivals
THESE two will meet again this year under hotter pressure, but in this sparring contest on a cool January afternoon at Fraher Field, Clare earned themselves a one-point win.
In truth Clare were far more comfortable than the minimum margin at full-time with Waterford hitting two injury time goals to put a better look on the scoreboard.
Clare looked far sharper and fitter than their hosts in an opening half where the Banner men hit 113 of their total from play. Newcomer Diarmuid Ryan at half-forward ran amok, hitting five first-half points.
Conor Cleary and Aidan McCarthy too were outstanding in the half-back line with Clare’s precision passing and possession game leaving their opponents frequently chasing shadows.
The Banner led 0-11 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter and threatened to overrun Waterford at this stage.
Former Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly netted after 26 minutes when an Aaron Shanagher effort was partially blocked with Kelly beating goalkeeper Billy Nolan to the loose ball before shooting into an empty net.
Clare led by 1-12 to 0-4 at that stage with two superb saves from Billy Nolan denying Shanagher and O’Neill further Clare goals. Tony Kelly and the 2017 hurler of the year Austin Gleeson were involved in a melee just before the break which earned the former All-Stars a yellow card from referee Kevin Jordan.
Donal Tuohy, a late replacement for Keith Hogan, kept the standard of goalkeeping at the very highest with an excellent save from Tommy Ryan after 29 minutes while his pin-point puck-outs were the launch-pad for many of Clare’s best attacks.
Stephen Bennett, the only scorer for Waterford in the opening half, rounded his marker to drive high to the net to give his side encouragement after 33 minutes and reduce the margin to 1-14 to 1-5 at the break.
Manager Páraic Fanning introduced the experienced Kevin Moran at interval and it helped the home side’s cause immeasurably.
Waterford managed to reduce the margin to just four points, 1-18 to 1-14 by the 58th minute with Bennett again leading the charge scoring from play and frees.
However, they were dealt another blow just as they were getting up a head of steam when substitute Podge Collins found Colin Guilfoyle unmarked on the edge of the small square to shoot Clare’s second goal and push the lead back out to seven points after 59 minutes, 2-18 to 1-14.
Clare were coasting to the final — where they will meet Tipperary next weekend — but late injurytime goals from Tommy Ryan and Bennett from a 20-metre free left the Banner somewhat hanging on and pleased to hear the final whistle. CLARE: