National Hurling League Division 1B: Clare 3-35 Down 0-15
Clare’s record high scoring tally in the National League saw them move another step closer to an immediate return to Division 1A of the National Hurling League.
1-9 from Mark Rodgers along with goals from David Fitzgerald and Peter Duggan saw the Banner overcome Down with a clinical, professional performance in Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosiog.
The game also marked a return to action for two time All Ireland winner John Conlon who made his first appearance since sustaining a serious hand injury last summer.
Down began brightly and led twice inside the opening ten minutes, including getting the first two points of the contest.
Once Jack Kirwan nailed the first of his three points of the contest to put Clare 0-5 to 0-4 ahead in the 11th minute, the home side reeled off the next eight unanswered to establish a healthy lead that would only increase further as the game wore on.
Tubber’s Senan Dunford registered 0-5 from play in his starting league debut, with 12 different scorers contributing to Clare’s tally.
It was also a significant day for the Banner GAA club, as Ronan Kilroy made his intercounty debut to join club mate Shane Meehan on the field, with Kilroy coming in at full back for the closing stages of the game.
Conor Leen was another to make his return from injury as he replaced John Conlon at half time, while Colm O’Meara impressed from the bench in the second period with 0-2 from play.
Clare’s three goals all arrived in the second half with poachers finishes for Mark Rodgers and Peter Duggan following long deliveries into the square. David Fitzgerald lifted the crowd with a 25m rocket to the top corner of the net in the 58th minute.
Brian Lohan’s side now have a week off before back to back road trips to Kildare and Carlow before rounding off the group stages with a home tie against Wexford.
