Clare Cling On To League Ambitions

Photo (c) clare.gaa.ie

National Hurling League – Sunday, 24th February 2019

Clare 2-22 Wexford 1-22

As was expected, the National Hurling League Division 1A will go down to the final game and Clare will be in the mix.

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Their second home win was secured by two goals either side of half-time from All-Stars John Conlon and Podge Collins as they built an impressive lead.

If anything, with 20 minutes remaining, the should have have been done and dusted as the Banner led 2-19 to 0-12 but 1-8 conceded without reply set up a nervous conclusion.

Shaun Murphy got Wexford’s goal as Davy Fitzgerald’s team rallied back and with five minutes remaining, they trailed by just 2-19 to 1-20.

The teams traded scores before Podge Collins and Ian Galvin converted insurance points before Jack O’Connor left three between them in injury time.

Wexford laid siege and had a 20 metre free while Donal Tuohy produced two critical saves to deny the visitors who’ll look to 11 wides proving costly.

Clare won’t mind as they built a deserved 1-15 to 0-11 interval lead though Davy Fitzgerald, Shane Golden, Colm Galin, Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Ryan and Podge Collins.

Kelly and Fitzgerald set up John Conlon for the goal before the break.  And Peter Duggan registered a 39th minute penalty after being fouled himself.

It was enough to ensure the win even if they let their opponents back too close for comfort.  All-Ireland champions Limerick are in Ennis next Sunday and another win will send Clare into the quarter-finals.

Scorers – Clare: Peter Duggan (1-6, 1-0 penalty, six frees), John Conlon 1-1, Diarmuid Ryan 0-4, Podge Collins 0-3, Tony Kelly 0-2, David Fitzgerald 0-2, Ian Galvin 0-2, Shane Golden, 0-1, Colm Galvin 0-1.

Scorers – Wexford: Rory O’Connor 0-5 (one free), Ian Byrne 0-4 (all frees), Shaun Murphy 1-0, Aidan Nolan 0-2, Cathal Dunbar 0-2, Liam Og McGovern 0-2, Kevin Foley 0-2, Jack O’Connor 0-2 (one free), Liam Ryan 0-1, Diarmuid O’Keeffe 0-1, Paul Morris 0-1.

Clare: Donal Tuhoy; Rory Hayes, David McInerney, Jack Browne; Patrick O’Connor, Conor Cleary, David Fitzgerald; Shane Golden, Colm Galvin; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Ryan; Ian Galvin, John Conlon, Podge Collins.

Subs used: Cathal Malone for Fitzgerald (51 mins), Ryan Taylor for Golden (60 mins), Jason McCarthy for O’Connor (65 mins), Aidan McCarthy for Ryan (68 mins), Aaron Shanagher for Conlon (68 mins).

Wexford: Mark Fanning; Liam Ryan, Darren Byrne, Shane Reck; Paudie Foley, Matthew O’Hanlon, Shaun Murphy; Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Kevin Foley; Aidan Nolan, Liam Og McGovern, Ian Byrne; Cathal Dunbar, Lee Chin, Rory O’Connor.

Subs used: Paul Morris for McGovern (HT), Conor McDonald for Byrne (HT), D Reck for S Reck (50 mins), J O’Connor for Dunbar (51 mins), H Kehoe for Nolan (66 mins).

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)