Late Waterford rally sets up second crack at Clare

TWO injury-time points earned Waterford a draw with Clare in this Munster SFC quarter-final at Cusack Park in Ennis.

Clare are likely to be without dual players Sean and Podge Collins for next Saturday’s replay in Dungarven, however, due to their involvement with the hurlers the following day and their loss would represent a big blow.

Clare got the better start and were 1-1 to 0-0 in front after just six minutes. David Tubridy opened the scoring when he landed a free in the third minute before Enda Coughlan found the net three minutes later after Shane McGrath’s initial effort was stopped on the line.

Defences dominated and the Clare forwards were getting few opportunities as Waterford had flooded their own half of the field.

And with four minutes remaining in the half, Clare were dealt a double blow. Centre back Gordon Kelly was a little unlucky to pick up a black card and within a minute the visitors struck for a goal with Paul Whyte applying a cool finish.

Tubridy replied with a point to leave the half time score at 1-5 to 1-2 in Clare’s favour.

The home side kicked the first two points on the resumption to go five clear and when Waterford had their influential captain and centre back Shane Briggs black carded in 50th minute, it looked good for the home side who had the assistance of the wind.

But Deise midfielder Shane Aherne broke through the Clare defence 12 minutes from time to create an opportunity for Liam Ó Lionain to fist to the net and level matters.

It still looked good for Clare when they led by three points with fine scores by Gary Brennan but Shane Aherne (two) and Paul Whyte forced a replay. CLare: J Hayes; D Ryan, K Hartnett, M McMahon; S Hickey, G Kelly, C Russell; G Brennan (0-2), S McGrath (0-2); S Collins, P Collins, J Malone (0-1); M O’Leary (0-1), DTubridy (1-2), E Coughlan (1-0). Subs: S Brennan for Kelly (black card, 31); R Donnelly for O’Leary 50; E Cleary for Malone 62; P McMahon for P Collins (black card, 71). Waterford: S Enright; D Crowley, T O’Gorman, Maurice O’Gorman; C Phelan, S Briggs, O Keevers; S Aherne (0-2), T Prendergast; Michael O’Gorman, L Ó Lionain (1-0), T Ó hUallachain (0-1); B Wall, P Whyte (1-2), JJ Hutchinson (0-2). Subs: M Curry (0-1) for Hutchinson 42; D Allen for Wall 48; W Hutchinson for Briggs (black card, 50); D Gray for Michael O’Gorman 56; D Hallahan for Keevers 60; L Ó Corraoin for Phelan 66. referee: C Lane (Cork)