*Photo by Gerard O’Neill
While all Clare followers will be disappointed with the result of this division 1 A Allianz hurling league game at Cusack Park this Sunday afternoon, the majority in the attendance of over 5.500 left the Clare venue happy with the display they had just witnessed.
Kilkenny 0-23 Clare 0-21
Indeed Clare were unlucky not to have at least drawn what was a competitive tie played in difficult weather conditions
Kilkenny finished the tie strongly, outscoring Clare 0-5 to 0-1 in the closing minutes, their greater experience proving decisive.
Playing with the aid of the breeze Clare started well and raced 0-4 to 0-0 clear after as many minutes. They were 0-8 to 0-2 in front after ten minutes and five minutes later they had a seven point advantage.
Kilkenny responded with four unanswered points in as many minutes as they came more into the game and by half time they had clawed their way back to be just two points adrift with the score at 0-12 to 0-10.
Just before the half time whistle Clare were dealt a big blow when centre back and captain on the day, David McInerney was forced out of the tie with a hamstring injury.
Three minutes into the new half the teams were level for the first of six times after the visitors had landed the opening two points.
Both sides failed the find the target from frees before David Reidy put the home side back in front when he converted a 60m free seven minutes into the new half.
Kilkenny levelled before Shane Meehan and David Conroy hit the target to put Clare two clear. The Noresiders responded with point from a Billy Drennan free and substitute Gearoid Dunne before a Drennan free put the visitors in front for the first time with fifteen minutes remaining..
Substitute Paddy Donnellan levelled for the Bannermen before Kilkenny went two clear. Clare’s response was impressive with Keith Smith(2), Cian Galvin and Sean Rynne hitting the target to put the home side two clear at 0-20 to 0-18
A brace from Martin Keoghan tied up the contest again before Drennan from a free and Donnellan exchanged points again. A draw looked the likely outcome at this stage but Eoin Cory and Luke Hogan hit the target for the visitors in injury time.
With the last play of the game Clare won a free 25m from goal and straight in front of the posts. Keith Smith’s piledriver was saved on the line by Kilkenny goalie Aidan Tallis and the final whistle sounded seconds later.
Conor Leen, Darragh Lohan, David Conroy, Sean Rynne and David Reidy were prominent for Clare while Huw Lawlor. Mikey Carey and Martin Keoghan led the Kilkenny charge
Scorers; Kilkenny; Billy Drennan (0-7, all frees); Martin Keoghan (0-5); Mikey Carey (0-3); Peter McDonald, Eoin Cody (0-2) each; Cian Kenny, Luke Hogan, Luke Connellan, Gearoid Dunne (0-1) each
Clare; David Reidy (0-8, 7 frees); David Conroy (0-3); Sean Rynne, Shane Meehan, Paddy Donnellan, Keith Smyth (0-2) each; Aron Shanagher, Cian Galvin (0-1) each
Clare
1; Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle);
2; Ian McNamara (Killanena),
5; Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones),
3; Conor Leen (Corofin),
7; Cian Galvin (Clarecastle);
6; David McInerney (Tulla),
17; Jack O’Neill (Clooney-Quin)
8; Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin),
9; Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge);
10; Patrick Crotty (Scariff),
11; David Conroy (St Josephs),
12; Sean Rynne (Inagh-Kilnamoa);
13; Shane Meehan (Banner),
14; Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones),
15; David Reidy (Eire Og).
Subs; 22; Ross Hayes (Crusheen) for D. McInerney (inj 36;) 21; Paddy Donnellan (Broadford) for Taylor (43); 18; Keith Smyth (Killanena) for Shanagher 50; 25; Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones) for Crotty (55); 23; John Conneally (Wolfe Tones) for Leen (inj., 60)
Kilkenny;
1; Aidan Tallis, Lisdowney
2; Mikey Butler, O’Loughlin Gaels
3; Huw O’Loughlin, O’Loughli Gaels
4; Shane Murphy, Glenmore
5; Mikey Carey Young Irelands
6; David Blanchfield, Bennetsbridge
7; Fionan Mackessy, O’Loughlin Gaels
8; Peter McDonald,Thomastown
9; Jordan Molloy O’Loughlin Gaels;
10; Martin Keoghan Tullaroan
25; Cian Kenny (James Stephens)
12; Paddy Deegan, O’Loughlin Gaels
13; Billy Drennan, Galmoy
14; Eoin Cody, Ballyhale Shamrocks
15; Billy Rya, Graigue Ballycallan
Subs; 24; Gearoid Dunne (Tullaroan) for Molloy(43); 22; Luke Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels) for Kenny (50); 23; Luke Connellan (Thomastown) for Ryan (60); 20; Zach Ray Hammond (Thomastown) for Mackessy;
Referee; Shane Hynes, Galway
