Clare in the clear

Classy Clare remain in pole spot for a place in phase two of the NHL after chiselling out a convincing 3-14 to 2-10 Division 1A win over Waterford in Dungarvan.

Once again the Banner County’s attack came up trumps with the winners’ half-forward line in particularly fine form.
In a championship-like atmosphere, both teams conspired to play some high quality hurling.

Waterford eased into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead after eight minutes but Clare never allowed their opponents to steal a march and with ten minutes to go before the break, the teams were deadlocked on seven points apiece.

But just when it seemed it would be stalemate at the break, Niall Gilligan doubled on a dropping ball to net for the visitors.
However Paul Flynn drilled home a 21 yard free to leave the Decies 1-9 to 1-8 to the good at the interval.

A brillant four minute spell on the restart saw Clare bang home an unanswered 1-3 with Tony Griffin netting a fine goal.
Waterford laboured up front to counter Clare’s potency and when Daithi O’Connell goaled late on, there was no way back for the hosts.

Clare;
D Fitzgerald; F Lohan, B Lohan, G O’ Grady; A Markham, S McMahon (0-4), G Quinn; B O’Connell, C Lynch; T Griffin (1-2), D McMahon (0-1), B Nugent (0-1); A Quinn, N Gilligan (1-4), T Carmody (0-2).
Subs; D O’Connell (1-0) for A Quinn; C Plunkett for G Quinn (yellow card); B Lynch for B Nugent; D O’Rourke for N Gilligan (yellow); D Hoey for T Griffin.

Waterford;
S Brenner; T Feeney, F Hartley, D Coffey; E Murphy, J Murray, T Browne; E Kelly (0-3), B Phelan; D Shanahan, M Walsh, P Flynn (2-6); J Mullane (0-1), S Prendergast, P O’Brien.
Subs; E McGrath for P O’Brien; B Wall for B Phelan (yellow card); J Kennedy for D Shanahan.