Waterford Crystal Cup Quarter Final
Clare 0-17 Tipperary 1-12
By Cathal Ryan
Tuesday night under the floodlights of Borrisoleigh presented the
Tipperary Senior hurlers with their first competitive encounter of 2010
against a Clare side eager to impress new manager Ger O Loughlin. With
temperatures just above zero and a mild fog looming over the venue both
sides undertook rigorous warm ups ahead of this Waterford Crystal
Quarter Final that was evenly contested throughout. Ten minutes into the
second half Tipperary were awarded a penalty when the ball broke in
behind the Banner full back line. Eoin Kelly was a clear favourite to
win possession when he was hauled back by Clare corner back Alan
Brigdale. The resulting Eoin Kelly penalty was stopped and cleared which
lifted the “Sparrow’s” troops. Soon after Diarmuid McMahon was sprung
from the bench and within two minutes of his arrival the experienced
Kilmaley man hit a towering point from 65 yards. This was followed by a
blistering burst from Jonathan Clancy through heart the Tipperary
defence where he scored off the stick from 30 yards to direct his side
towards victory.
Liam Sheedy will no doubt be disappointed with the defeat but can be
upbeat about some aspects of what he witnessed. Eoin Kelly picked up
where he left off in last years All Ireland Final looking particularly
sharp in attack and leaving his injury woes of early 2009 behind him.
David Young of Toomevara gave a solid display on his competitive debut
for the Portroe manager’s charges where he grew in confidence as the
game developed at right half back. It was noticeable that Clare had that
bit more work done heading into this encounter as they were sharper in
many situations. Their defenders were impressive in terms of hooking and
blocking and this was a key element in stifling the Tipperary attacks.
The game started at a sharp pace and Clare took the lead in the first
minute through a Fergal Lynch point. Mark Flaherty added a second
through a free before the Premier returned fire with two scores from Pat
Kerwick and Gearoid Ryan.
From here O’ Loughlin’s men pushed on and gained a three point lead by
the tenth minute including a fine point from Alan Markham fired from the
left touchline. This was a lead that they wouldn’t lose for the
remainder of the contest. Tipp pushed hard to bounce back before the
break but each score was matched with a Banner response and Clare ended
the half stronger with a fine point from Martin Ogie Murphy. This left
the Premier trailing at half time by 0-10 to 0-06.
Last years All Ireland Finalists emerged from the interval with more
intent with Eoin Kelly scoring two frees among a flurry of attacks
before the penalty decision. After the McMahon and Clancy points Tipp
did attempt to rally again and last years Young Hurler of the Year Noel
McGrath whipped on a ball that landed in the square to score the games
only goal after being introduced as a substitute. This narrowed the gap
to 1-11 to 0-16. Both sides added an additional point and this was as
close as Tipp got to mount a comeback. Clare progress to Sunday’s Semi
Final against Waterford while for Liam Sheedy and his panel will go to
work in preparation for the National Hurling League.
Tipperary: Brendan Cummins, Conor O Brien, Declan Fanning, Paul Curran,
David Young, Thomas Stapleton, Shane Maher, Benny Dunne(0-1), Gearoid
Ryan(0-1), Pat Kerwick(0-2), Hugh Maloney, Paul Kelly, Pa Bourke(0-1),
John O Brien, Eoin Kelly(0-6, 5F)
Subs: Micheal Webster for Bourke (39), Lar Corbett for Paul Kelly (44),
Noel McGrath(1-0) for Kerwick (46), Shane McGrath(0-1) for G Ryan (53),
Padraic Maher for B Dunne (60).
Clare: Philip Brennan, Pat Vaughan, Cian Dillon, Alan Brigdale, Domhnall
O Donovan, Brian O Connell, Pat Donnellan(0-1F), Martin Ogie
Murphy(0-1), Jonathan Clancy(0-2), Alan Markham(0-2), John Conlon(0-3),
Fergal Lynch(0-1), Mark Flaherty(0-6,6F), Michael Scanlon, Aonghus O
Brien.
Subs: Diarmuid McMahon(0-1) for O Brien, John Cusack for Scanlon,
Brendan Bugler for O Connell.
