Clare 0-27

Wexford 1-17

Denis Hurley reports from Páirc Uí Chaoimh

CLARE SHOWED A strong response to their Munster final defeat to Cork as they saw off Wexford in Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

While the Banner County trailed twice in the opening stages, points from Séadna Morey, Peter Duggan Shane O’Donnell put them into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead by the 17th minute and they led thereafter, setting up a semi-final meeting with Galway on Saturday, July 28.

By half-time, Clare – having played with the wind – led by 0-16 to 0-9 with all six starting forwards having scored as they sought to play around the Wexford sweeper Shaun Murphy while David McInerney impressed as the Munster side’s spare man.

Tony Kelly, David Reidy and John Conlon were among those to show up well for Clare in that opening period, with Wexford reliant on five Rory O’Connor frees as their attack struggled to make inroads.

On the resumption, Wexford had points from Diarmuid O’Keeffe and Lee Chin to suggest that they would begin to reel Clare in, but Shane O’Donnell and Peter Duggan had points in response and the seven-point lead still pertained in the 51st minute after Conlon made it 0-21 to 0-14.

Duggan made it an eight-point game before Wexford were given hope as Conor McDonald netted when sub Harry Kehoe broke a delivery down to him and, though O’Donnell replied with a Clare point, the Model County almost struck again as Liam Óg McGovern’s shot was well saved by Donal Tuohy and Jack Browne blocked Damien Reck’s follow-up effort.

Two Rory O’Connor free had Wexford back to four points, 0-23 to 1-16, but four successive wides prevented them from coming closer.

Clare saw out the game well with scores from O’Donnell, sub Ian Galvin, Conlon and another replacement, Conor McGrath, while Wexford finished with 14 men as O’Connor was dismissed late on.

Scorers for Clare: Peter Duggan 0-7 (0-5 frees), Tony Kelly 0-5, Shane O’Donnell 0-4, John Conlon 0-3, Pádraic Collins, David Reidy 0-2 each, Séadna Morey, Cathal Malone, Conor McGrath, Ian Galvin 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Rory O’Connor 0-10 (0-9 frees), Conor McDonald 1-3, Damien Reck, Shaun Murphy, Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Lee Chin 0-1 each.

Clare

1. Donal Tuohy (Crusheen)

4. Jack Browne (Ballyea)
3. David McInerney (Tulla)
2. Patrick O’Connor (Tubber)

5. Séadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
6. Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s-Doora Barefield)
7. Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge)

8. Colm Galvin (Clonlara)
9. Cathal Maguire (Sixmilebridge)

10. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
11. Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
12. David Reidy (Éire Óg)

13. Pádraic Collins (Cratloe)
14. John Conlon (Clonlara)
15. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg)

Subs

18. Conor McGrath (Cratloe) for Collins (27-29, blood)
19. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Galvin (58)
23. Ian Galvin (Clonlara) for Reidy (61)
18. Conor McGrath (Cratloe) for McGrath (67)
20. Michael O’Malley (Kilmaley) for Malone (70)
17. Rory Hayes (Wolfes Tones na Sionna) for Browne (70)

Wexford

1. Mark Fanning (Glynn-Barntown)

2. Damien Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien)
3. Liam Ryan (Rapparees)
17. Conor Firman (St Martin’s)

9. Shaun Murphy (Oulart The Ballagh)
7. Diarmuid O’Keeffe (St Anne’s)
5. Paudie Foley (Crossabeg-Ballymurn)

6. Matthew O’Hanlon (St James’)
8. Kevin Foley (Rapparees)

11. Aidan Nolan (HWH Bunclody)
10. Rory O’Connor (St Martin’s)
14. Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers)

15. Conor McDonald (Naomh Éanna)
13. David Dunne (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy)
22. Liam Óg McGovern (St Anne’s)

Subs

12. Jack O’Connor (St Martin’s) for Nolan (49)
21. Harry Kehoe (Cloughbawn) for Kevin Foley (57)
4. Simon Donohoe (Shelmaliers) for Paudie Foley (61)
18. Willie Devereux (St Martin’s) for O’Keeffe (66)

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)

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