This article is from page 78 of the 2011-07-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 78 JPG
THERE WAS much to savour for what was a truly historic occasion in Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday as two memorable performances lit up Munster hurling’s flagship day. Tipperary undoubted stole the headlines for their seven goal senior demolition of defending champions Waterford while beforehand, Clare carved out their own piece of history by putting Waterford to the sword for the second successive decider.
In fact, Clare’s display was every bit as commanding as Tipperary’s, only that the Premier had a greater and more ruthless eye for goal. The five point winning margin simply didn’t do justice to the quality, hardworking and mature display of Clare who strolled to a 13 point advantage by the turn of the final quarter with Waterford unable to live with them.
That they didn’t complete the rout and pour even more misery on the Deise support was more down to the fact that Clare tired rather than Waterford sparkled. With the engine room of captain Tony Kelly and Colm Galvin in real danger of missing out on playing in their second successive Munster final, the fact that they started and essentially pulled the strings along with Cathal O’Connell and Jamie Shanahan in the centre for Clare once more, were central to Clare’s success. However, as the central pair inevitably tired, so too did Clare’s dominance around the middle and Waterford punished with a late rally of 2-2 that merely grazed a touch of gloss off Clare’s historic victory.
The real measure of the contest is emphasised by the fact that Clare got 21 scores to Waterford’s 12 and that nine point margin would be a better reflection of the game.
At times, Clare were outstanding and it was refreshing to see a Clare team so comfortable and at ease in the heightened surrounds of Pairc Uí Chaoimh. The serial stars like the quartet already mentioned put in another massive hour, particularly Tots O’Connell who was at the centre of everything good for Clare. However, nearly every player stepped up their game another level from the Tipperary game which is a real sign of a quality side. Goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan pulled off two super saves in the final quarter; Jack Browne and Seadna Morey were inspired, particularly in a superb opening 20 minute spell; the wing backs were courageous and attack minded while Peter Duggan, Shane O’Donnell, Oisin Hickey and Aaron Cunningham had plenty of ingenuity and endeavour without putting up huge personal totals on the scoreboard.
Now don’t get me wrong, it isn’t all gushing pats on the back as there is plenty for Donal Moloney, Gerry O’Connor and Co to work on for the All-Ireland semi-final in a month’s time. And in that regard, in the greater scheme of things it’s probably no harm that Clare didn’t ruthlessly take all of their many goalscoring chances and win by a cricket score because at least the goals they missed at one end and conceded at the other will give them something to work on in the coming weeks.
Much of the credit though must go to the management team in all it’s various guises as it was abundantly clear even from the warm-up that this was a supremely well drilled squad that possessed a huge work ethic and understanding.
The opening 20 minutes was champagne stuff as Clare built up a 0-12 to 1-03 at their ease, with Cathal O’Connell’s unerring freetaking along with eycatching points from Peter Duggan, Aaron Cunningham, Jarleth Colleran, Jamie Shanahan, Tony Kelly and Colm Galvin.
They also deserved a goal in the 13th minute when Seadna Morey burst out of defence before offloading to Oisin Hickey who outpaced his marker only to see the resulting shot stopped by goalkeeper Paddy Cooke. Even the concession of a goal two minutes later in a rare Waterford attack, through the hard work of 15 year old Stephen Bennett who set up Adam O’Sullivan for the finish, couldn’t derail Clare who simply brushed off that set-back with another five points in a row on their way to a double scores 0-14 to 1-04 halftime advantage.
Within 30 seconds of the restart, Clare should have been further ahead after good work from Duggan and Galvin that got Hickey on the ball but perhaps he should have passed to the unmarked Shane O’Donnell instead of attempting a shot from an acute angle that was pushed away by the goalkeeper. The Meelick man quickly made up for it only two min- utes later however as Jamie Shanahan sent an inch perfect pass over the top for him to chase, gather and bury to the net to finish the game as a contest. With that, the pace eased off some- what, the game opened up and there were chances at either end for goals. Shane O’Donnell had two bites of the cherry denied while down the other end, Quilligan was forced to make a full-length acrobatic stop to deny