Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

CLARE 0-20 DUBLIN 1-15

By Eoin Brennan at Cusack Park

Clare fired nine of the last eleven points to snatch victory in this crucial Round 4 tie in front of 4,370 in Ennis this afternoon.

In what was a dogged affair throughout, the home side finally found their feet to reel in Dublin’s five point advantage, with substitutes Jason McCarthy, Aaron Cunningham and the merited reintroduction of Ian Galvin getting their side over the line by two points.

Clare had also started well with points from David Reidy (2), David Fitzgerald, Galvin and Jamie Shanahan helping them to a 0-5 to 0-3 lead nearing the end of the opening quarter.

However, defensive hesitancy allowed Ryan O’Dwyer to raid for an opportunist 19th minute goal that allowed the wind-assisted visitors to hit the front, an advantage that they would only strengthen by the break at 1-10 to 0-08.

Backed by the conditions for the new half, Clare’s revival, led by corner-back Seadna Morey, was initially repelled as Ben Quinn, Chris Crummy and Eamon Dillon all pointed to restore their side’s five point cushion at 1-13 to 0-11 by the 45th minute.

However, despite employing Liam Rushe as a sweeper, Dublin simply couldn’t maintain that ascendency as Clare’s perseverance ensured that they finally gained parity thanks to Morey’s second point by the 57th minute at 0-16 to 1-13.

Dublin substitute Chris Bennett converted a free to nudge his side in front once more. However, by then, the momentum had patently shifted towards the home side who finished with four late points to keep their perfect home league record intact and ease any immediate relegation worries.

**Scorers for Clare: **David Reidy 0-8 (7f), Ian Galvin 0-3, Jamie Shanahan 0-2, Seadna Morey 0-2, David Fitzgerald 0-1, Podge Collins 0-1, Cathal McInerney 0-1, Jason McCarthy 0-1, Aaron Cunningham 0-1

**Scorers for Dublin: **Niall McMorrow 0-3, Chris Bennett (2f, 1’65) 0-3, Ryan O’Dwyer 1-0, Donal Burke 0-2 (2f), Eamon Dillon 0-2, Ben Quinn 0-2, Liam Rushe 0-1, Fiontán McGibb 0-1, Chris Crummey 0-1

**CLARE: **Patrick Kelly; David McInerney, Cian Dillon, Seadna Morey; Brendan Bugler, Conor Cleary, David Fitzgerald; Jamie Shanahan, David Reidy; Cathal Malone, Podge Collins, John Conlon; Aron Shanagher, Peter Duggan, Ian Galvin. **Subs: **Cathal McInerney for Galvin (25), Jason McCarthy for Shanahan (50), Aaron Cunningham for Duggan (55), Galvin for Collins (61)

**Subs: **Cathal McInerney for Galvin (25), Jason McCarthy for Shanahan (50), Aaron Cunningham for Duggan (55), Galvin for Collins (61)

**DUBLIN: **Conor Dooley; James Madden, Shane Barrett, Eoghan O’Donnell; Chris Crummey, Liam Rushe, Cian MacGabhann; Ben Quinn, Domhnall Fox; Fiontán McGibb, Niall McMorrow, Rian McBride; Eamon Dillon, Ryan O’Dwyer, Donal Burke

Subs: Chris Bennett for Burke (31), Caolán Conway for McBride (39), Cian O’Sullivan for McGibb (50), Cian Boland for O’Sullivan (63), Fionn Ó Riann Broin for Madden (67, inj)

Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway)