The Clare Senior hurlers have booked their place in the Allianz Hurling League Semi Finals after a hard fought victory over division 1B side Laois.
Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald warned before the game that the O’Moore County would pose a tough challenge, and that they did, the All Ireland champions coming away from Portlaoise with just a four point win.
The home side enjoyed a strong start in which Neil Foyle goaled putting them 1-01 to 0-03 up after seven minutes.
Four unanswered points from the banner men put them back in front by the 17th minute at 0-7 to 1-03
Just after the 20 minute mark the hosts were dealt a massive blow when Tom Delaney was red carded for a foul on John Conlon.
It was the O’Moore county that responded after this turning point and went into a 1-07 to 0-09 lead with 28 minutes played.
John Conlon leveled matters however, and in a spell that saw the sides go point for point, Shane O’Donnell put some breathing space in it for the All Ireland champions, with a goal, and finished scoring for the opening half, a three point margin between the sides at Clare 1-12 to Laois 1-09.
Clare stretched it to a 5 point lead by the 42nd minute, and three minutes later O’Donnell sent another bullet to the Laois net.
The home side continued to fight, and stayed withing touching distance of the 1A side, a Brendan Reddin goal with just two minutes on the clock meant it was back to a two point game.
Davy fitzgeralds side held their nerve however and closed out the game with two more points. A welcome final whistle with a full time score of 2-23 to 2-19.
Clare now meet Tipperary in the Semi finals on Easter Sunday April 20th, after the premier county overcame Cork a massive 3-25 to 4-19 at Semple Stadium.
Galway and Kilkenny will contest the other semi final in their all Leinster tie, the Tribesmen beat Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds at 1-20 to 1-12, while Kilkenny overcame Wexford 4-22 to 2-16.
Anthony Dalys Dublin charges survive relegation after beating Waterford 4-13 to 1-17 in Walsh Park.