Brian has depth for a title tilt
Offaly 0-23 Clare 1-19
Allianz HL Division 1A
BY CIARAN BURNS CLARE manager Brian Lohan dug deep into his panel and was rewarded for his faith in Birr yesterday, as his novices struck late to break Offaly hearts at St Brendan’s Park.
Lohan started with just three players from the team that started against Kilkenny in last year’s All-ireland semi-final, perhaps sensing weakness in an Offaly side that was ravaged by Cork last weekend.
This was a very different Faithful County side, however.
They settled into the game well, hit the net through Jack Clancy, and with Eoghan Cahill in sublime form from placed balls, were full value for their 1-12 to 0-9 interval lead.
With the wind at their backs, Clare were much improved after half-time however, albeit with more established stars like David Reidy, Aron Shanagher and Conor Cleary making an impact off the bench.
With 10 minutes left, Offaly led by 1-18 to 0-18 but their puckouts were being devoured by Clare, so pressure was mounting.
Rory Hayes and Paddy Donnellan scored two consecutive points from play to narrow the gap to a single point, and after Offaly squandered chances, Clare pounced with two late Reidy frees to snatch their win. CLARE: E Quilligan; Rory Hayes (0-1), J Conneally, C Leen; Ross Hayes, C Smyth, C Galvin; S Morey (0-2), D Lohan; G Sheedy, D Conroy (0-5, 0-3f), P Crotty (0-3); K Smyth (0-2f), I Galvin (0-4), S Meehan (0-2).SUBS: D Reidy (0-3, 0-2f) for G Sheedy (HT), C Cleary for C Leen (HT), A Shanagher for D Conroy (50), C O’meara for K Smyth (56), P Donnellan (0-1) for D Lohan (63). OFFALY: M Troy; P Cantwell, B Conneely, S Bourke (0-2); L Watkins (0-2), D Maher (0-1), K Sampson; J Sampson, D King (0-1); J Clancy (1-0), L Fox (0-1), D Nally (0-1); E Kelly (0-1), O Kelly, E Cahill (0-10, 0-8f, 0-1 65). SUBS:R Ravenhill for D Maher (56), P Cleary for L Fox (69), J Nally for O Kelly (70+2). REFEREE: C Flynn (Westmeath).