*Shane O’Donnell dinks past Austin Gleeson. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Clare never needed to raise much of a gallop to brush aside a dysfunctional Waterford team, the Déise’s approach to the game was simply baffling.
This game had been billed as a banana skin for Clare but in all honesty, it was the most predictable Munster Championship clash we have played in quite some time. Waterford implemented inane tactics which simultaneously left them wide open at the back and completely lacking in cutting edge in attack, quite the accomplishment.
Clare on the other hand, were straightforward in their approach. Our team, while playing within themselves, were patient and when the opportunities arose, did enough to inflict a comprehensive victory over Waterford.
The first half was a tough one to watch. Waterford attacked in what looked more like a Rugby League approach than a hurling one. They ran the ball in lines involving their seven backs and before working a half chance for one of them who took on a shot outside the scoring zone which inevitably went wide. Waterford had 22 shots in the first half. However, the vast majority were not taken by the forwards, and were well outside Clare 45-yard line. It was a totally unorthodox approach, and it did take a bit of time for our lads to settle and get to grips with what was happening.
When they did, they were able to capitalise easily. The Waterford puckout strategy left a lot of space for our forwards when we were able to turn over the ball. David Fitzgerald and Ian Galvin identified this and took up position close to the Waterford goal instead of getting dragged back the pitch. What looked like a half chance for Waterford was masterfully turned into an attacking opportunity by Tony Kelly. His tackle on the advancing Waterford man overturned the ball. That allowed Clare to launch the attack and hit direct ball into David Fitzgerald who expertly controlled and put Ian through for a well finished goal. It was a beautiful move and reminded the audience in Thurles of what good hurling is supposed to look like amid much of the dross that was served up in the first half and a turning point in the game from which Clare did not look back.
Clare will be a little disappointed with some of the play in the first half. Our defenders were caught in possession too often when building play from the back. This was not due to any major intensity which Waterford brought, but rather the lack thereof my have led to a complacency from some of the lads. We overshot passes under no pressure and we a little sluggish at times inviting the Waterford players in for scores. It will be something which the management will be keen to tighten up on before the Cork game which will be a far stiffer test.
Aidan McCarthy’s absence was a blow to Clare as he had two very good games in the championship so far. It was also an opportunity for Tony Kelly to lead from the beginning as free taker, which he duly obliged. Tony had an excellent game amassing a 13-point total. He was tightly marked throughout but was never troubled and brushed aside challenges to take some excellent scores. If there was to be any criticism it would be that he could have put Diarmuid Ryan through for a goal at one point instead of favouring his own shot.
Our backs were solid throughout and were rarely troubled in the traditional sense. Waterford only played a handful of balls to their full forward line throughout the entire duration of the game which made it easy for us. At times Dessie Hutchinson was back in his own half while Conor Prunty was up in ours. It will have been a source of great comfort to Hayes and the defenders to see that scenario evolve.
Ironically the best attacking move for Waterford came with the first ball of the second half before they had a chance to revert to their gameplan. A nice low ball was placed outside Dessie Hutchinson which he gathered, turned sharply and popped over the bar. It was the type of ball which is very hard to defend and from a Clare point of view it was a relief not to see more of it.
The loss leaves Waterford without a win in any of the Munster under 17, under 20 or senior competitions. They are in a bad position currently and there is clearly a lot of work to do. They have quality players at senior level, but it is clear they are on the wrong path currently. If management were capable of self-analysis they would try to hurl in a more orthodox fashion in their last game and give some younger players on the panel a chance. The problem then would be that if it worked it would force them to admit the error of their ways in all their games to date.
Thankfully, in Clare we do not have to concern ourselves with such problems. The Waterford game was a decent win but more of a box checking exercise than a major accomplishment. The Cork game will present far more of a test as the likelihood is that the winner progresses from Munster and the loser goes home.
