Allianz National Hurling League – Saturday, 16th February 2019
Cork 1-20 Clare 0-20
Clare suffered a sore defeat in Pairc Ui Rinn as Patrick Horgan’s 16 points inflicted a second National Hurling League defeat on the Banner.
Despite looking clearly the better team in the first half, Clare were level 0-9 to 1-6 with Cork and despite some memorable displays an increased tempo second period, it was the Rebels’ placed balls that told the tale.
Tony Kelly hit six points from play, some excellent efforts. And John Conlon and Ian Galvin contributed four each with Diarmuid Ryan contributing a superb double also. Clare finished with 14 points from play.
Two quick points from Conlon and Ryan made it 0-2 to 0-0 before Horgan’s first two levelled affairs. However, Kelly, Galvin and Conlon made it 0-5 to 0-2 on 18 minutes.
The teams traded scores before a key moment. Debutant Keith Hogan produced three crucial stops over the 70 minutes but a high dropping ball from Seamus Harnedy caught him out under the lights and Cork were given a reprieve, even if there was a possible call for a square ball.
Duggan, Ryan and Conlon put Clare ahead again but a Horgan triple ensured they were all square at the break.
And the teams were level 10 times in the second half before Cork pushed for the line.
Conlon put 0-19 to 1-15 ahead on 61 minutes but three unanswered scorers, all from Horgan, gave Cork a lead they didn’t relinquish.
Kelly’s sixth from play left one between them but as the clock ran out, Clare needed a goal. Tim O’Mahony and Horgan finished the scoring and Cork are off the mark and Clare are bottom of the Division 1A table.
Watch the GAANOW Full-Time Highlights as Cork have beaten Clare in the Allianz Leagues pic.twitter.com/Ve84DIDwzT
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 16, 2019
Scorers – Clare: Tony Kelly 0-6, John Conlon 0-4, Ian Galvin 0-4, Peter Duggan 0-4 (all frees), Diarmuid Ryan 0-2.
Scorers – Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-16 (15 frees), Seamus Harnedy 1-1, John Conlon 0-1, Daniel Kearney 0-1, Tim O’Mahony 0-1.
Clare: Keith Hogan; Rory Hayes, David McInerney, Jack Browne; Cathal Malone, Conor Cleary, David Fitzgerald; Shane Golden, Colm Galvin; Peter Duggan, Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Ryan; Ian Galvin, John Conlon, Podge Collins
Cork: Anthony Nash; Sean O’Donoghue, Damien Cahalane, Stephen McDonnell; Christopher Joyce, Tim O’Mahony, David Griffin; Cormac Murphy, Bill Cooper; Daniel Kearney, Seamus Harnedy, Conor Lehane; Jamie Coughlan, Aidan Walsh, Patrick Horgan.
Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)