BANNER HOLD OFF MODEL TO BOOK DATE WITH TRIBE
CLARE will face Galway in the All-ireland semi-final on July 28 after seeing off Wexford yesterday at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
The Banner led by seven points, 0-16 to 0-9, at half-time and that was the gap at the end too.
But, in between, Wexford mounted a second half revival, underpinned by a goal from Conor Mcdonald.
That strike came in the 58th minute as he pounced on a knockdown from Harry Kehoe to fire past Donal Tuohy, reducing the gap to five.
While Shane O’donnell had a point for Clare in response, Wexford almost struck again as Lee Chin set up Liam Og Mcgovern but his shot was saved by Tuohy and Damien Reck’s attempted follow-up was blocked by Jack Browne.
Two Rory O’connor frees had Wexford back to within three points but some poor wides proved costly and though a long-range O’connor free left three in it, that was as close as they came.
O’donnell’s fourth point for Clare was followed by one from sub Ian Galvin to give them breathing space.
At the other end, Patrick O’connor did well to intercept a Chin ball for Willie Devereux and Clare’s John Conlon and Conor Mcgrath got the clinching points. Wexford’s Rory O’connor was sent off at the end.
P Duggan 0-7 (5f), T Kelly 0-5, S O’donnell 0-4, J Conlon 0-3, P Collins, D Reidy 0-2 each, S Morey, C Malone, C Mcgrath, I Galvin 0-1 each.
R O’connor 0-10 (9f), C Mcdonald (1-3), D Reck, S Murphy; D O’keeffe, L Chin 0-1 each.