Clare 0-18
Galway 1-13
DAVY FITZGERALD’S YOUNG Clare outfit secured a battling victory in the wind and rain at Cusack Park, Ennis.
The Banner boys, who hurled well in the opening period, had to be resourceful in the closing stages as Galway staged a dramatic second
half rally.
Backed by the breeze a dominant Clare side led by 0-12 to 0-8 at the interval with Colin Ryan hitting seven points in the first thirty five
Galway were struggling to deal with Clare initially, but as the half wore on they improved with Joe Canning sharp from frees. Clare, though, were gutsy after the restart as John Conlon’s influence on proceedings increased considerably.
Conlon nailed three delightful efforts from play as Clare edged 0-16 to 0-9 ahead by the 43rd minute, but Galway summoned a response. Andy Smith pinched a point and then Joe Canning goaled a 20 metre free after the impressive Davy Glennon had been fouled.
Two further points from Canning reduced the margin to the minimum, but scores from Tony Kelly and substitute Fergal Lynch sealed the deal.
Galway still could have nicked a last gasp goal, but Joseph Cooney dragged a close range shot wide and Clare held on for a deserved success.
Scorers for Clare: Colin Ryan (0-8, 7fs), Tony Kelly (0-3), John Conlon (0-3), Padraic Collins (0-2), Shane O’Donnell (0-1), Fergal Lynch (0-1).Scorers for Galway: Joe Canning (1-9, 1-8fs), Davy Glennon (0-1), Aidan Harte (0-1), Andy Smith (0-1), Niall Donoghue (0-1).
GALWAY: Colm Callanan (Kinvara); Fergal Moore (Turloughmore), Kevin Hynes (Sarsfields), Johnny Coen (Loughrea); David Collins (Liam Mellows), Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields), Niall Donoghue (Kilbeacanty);Iarla Tannian (Ardrahan), Andrew Smith (Portumna); Damien Hayes (Portumna), Joe Canning (Portumna), Tadhg Haran (Liam Mellows); Niall Healy (Craughwell), Jonathan Glynn (Ardrahan), Davy Glennon (Mullagh).
Subs: Aidan Harte (Gort) for Haran (41), Brian Flaherty (Abbeyknockmoy) for Smith (52), Shane Moloney (Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry) for Healy (56), Tony Og Regan (Rahoon-Newcastle) for Donoghue (62-66)
CLARE: Patrick Kelly (Inagh-Kilnamona); Domhnall O’Donovan (Clonlara), David McInerney (Tulla), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge); Brendan Bugler (Whitegate), Patrick Donnellan (O’Callaghan’s Mills), Patrick O’Connor (Tubber); Conor Ryan (Cratloe), Nicky O’Connell (Clonlara); Colin Ryan (Newmarket-on-Fergus), Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Enda Barrett (Newmarket-on-Fergus); John Conlon (Clonlara), Shane O’Donnell (Eire Og), Padraic Collins (Cratloe).
Subs: Fergal Lynch (Cloney-Quin) for Barrett (53), Colm Galvin (Clonlara) for Conor Ryan (56), Darach Honan (Clonlara) for O’Donnell (62), Jonahtan Clancy (Clarecastle) for Collins (62).
Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork).
