*Patrick Crotty breaks through. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CURRENTLY sitting at top of the table in Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League, Clare’s hurlers will be content with their showings to date.
Their most recent outing saw them record a one point away win to Waterford. Seamus Hayes rates the performances of the nineteen Clare players who saw action.
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
Eibhear didn’t really have much to do in terms of shot stopping, couldn’t really do much about the Waterford goal. He distributed the ball well from his puckouts varying short and long while he made himself available for passes when defenders found themselves under a big of pressure.
Rating: 7
2: Conor Leen, Corofin
Hampered by injury a lot over the past two years he put in a great 70 minute shift in this one and he and all Clare supporters will have been delighted that he got through injury free. He was one of Clare’s better players on the day and denied Waterford a number of scores in this hard fought battle
Rating: 8
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Full back Conor Cleary, the current team captain who hails from Miltown Malbay but plays his club hurling with Kilmaley was under a bit of pressure from the Waterford full forward line. He will have been disappointed with how Sean Walsh got past him for Waterford’s goal. Despite being under pressure he won a couple of very good possessions early in the game. He didn’t come out for the second half due to a leg injury and there is concern as to whether or not he will have recovered in time for the game against Wexford
Rating: 6
4: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
Like full back Conor Cleary he struggled to deal with a number of Waterford attacks. While his initial direct opponent Stephen Bennett failed to score from play, Hayes conceded a couple of frees which led to scores
Rating: 6
5: John Conlon (Clonlara)
Not named as part of the panel for this game which was released on Friday night, the Clonlara star lined out at wing back and followed on from his outstanding season in 2023 with both club and county with a solid display holding his initial opponent, the highly rated Michael Kiely scoreless.
Rating: 7
6: David McInerney (Tulla)
The argument rages on amongst followers as to what the Tulla man’s best position is. Over the years he has figured in a number of different positions for Clare. Like a number of his team mates, he struggled at times on Sunday to deal with Waterford’s attacking style.
Rating: 6
7: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
Another player who has had his share of injuries in recent times, Galvin had an impressive display on Sunday. He was always available to assist a colleague and found time to chip in with two points in the opening half.
Rating: 8
8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
The Ennistymon native who plays his club hurling with Sixmilebridge delivered another solid display, contributing a point to the final tally. Not as prominent as he was in the win over Cork a week earlier, he got through some good work
Rating: 7
9: Sean Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)
Having made his debut a week earlier against Cork when he was substituted at half time, the young Inagh/Kilnamona man, delivered an excellent performance in this tie. His workrate was very impressive helping both defence and attack and he contributed two impressive points to the final tally on his way to the man of the match selection
Rating: 8
10: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
The 2022 All-star had a quiet outing and he was replaced in the final quarter. A key member of the panel, this was one of his quieter days and, like a number of the forward line, he struggled to break down a hard working Waterford defence.
Rating: 6
11: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
The centre forward was another of the Clare forwards who found it hard to get the upperhand on his opponent in this tie. With an impressive performance against Cork a week earlier under his belt, he is sure to be in the running for a regular place in the side this season
Rating: 7
24: Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
Another of the players who have come through from the under 20 runs, the Scariff clubman worked hard throughout this tie and contributed 0-2 to his side’s final tally.
Rating: 7
18: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
Ian started very impressively firing over two points inside the first ten minutes but he faded from here on. In fairness much of this was due to the fact that Waterford cut off supply of ball to the Clare full forward line.
Rating: 6
14: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
Having disappointed a week earlier against Cork when he failed to reach the high standard of play he had set throughout last year, Aidan showed much improved form this week. Back on duty with the frees in the absence of Mark Rodgers he was the game’s top scorer with 0-8, six from placed balls.
Rating: 7
12: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
Éire Óg clubman David Reidy was busy as usual contributing a point while helping to create a number of opportunities which led to scores for the Banner men.
Rating: 7
Subs:
21: John Conneally (Clooney/Quin)
Another of the promising young players in the squad at present, he came into the backline at half time in place of the injured Conor Cleary and delivered a solid performance.
Rating: 7
19: Shane Meehan (Banner)
Banner clubman Shane Meehan came into the action for the final twenty five minutes and was his usual busy self. He contributed 0-1 and was a little unlucky not to have had another score.
Rating: 7
15: Gearoid Sheedy (Ogonnelloe)
Introduced for the final quarter and tried to make himself involved in the game.
Rating: 6
19: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge).
Came into the side for the final quarter and got through some good work.
Rating: 6
17: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
Not on long enough for a rating
