Allianz HL D1B: Clare overcome spirited Dublin

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

Clare 3-18 Dublin 1-22

By Eoin Brennan at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg

Tony Kelly raided for a whopping 20 point haul in Clare’s last league clash with Dublin five years previously and the five-time All-Star would be the visitors undoing once more in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg with an injury-time goal in this much-anticipated Division 1B opener.

Level for the sixth time between these second tier favourites by the 69th minute, the Banner craved a spark and after substitute Diarmuid Stritch marked his league debut with a point, captain Kelly put the result beyond doubt with a 71st minute solo goal.

It was tough on Dublin who had led by as much as five points in the opening half and even three by the 55th minute. However, Clare had goalkeeper Eibhear Qulligan for keeping them in the tie as amidst two excellent second half saves, he remarkably turned a Donal Burke penalty over the bar at the turn of the final quarter.

A relieved Clare actually managed to nudge back in front for the first time in 17 minutes when Mark Rodgers and Tony Kelly grabbed brace of points each in a four point unanswered resurgence by the 62nd minute at 2-17 to 1-19. However, a defiant Dublin would still manage to level matters once more through Donal Burke’s 10th point in the next passage of play.

Brian Hayes, who had scored Dublin’s only goal, did have another sighting late on, but agonisingly saw his attempt just whistle past the right post, a miss that would be magnified when Kelly collected a Rory Hayes delivery at the other end before slaloming past the last defender and billowing the net.

A two point victory would have been welcomed as Clare struggled to settle into their stride earlier on, with Dublin powering 0-7 to 0-2 clear in the opening quarter, thanks in the main to four Burke frees.

While the Leinster side’s first wide with the aid of the conditions only arrived nine minutes from half-time, in contrast, their wasteful hosts slumped to nine first half wides.

Mark Rodgers’ frees did keep them in touch which proved pivotal when the Banner finally sparked into life near the half hour mark. David Reidy ignited Clare’s challenge with an opportunist goal in the 29th minute after good work from Darragh Lohan to regain full parity at 0-10 to 1-07 while just before the break, David Fitzgerald blocked down a Dublin clearance for Shane Meehan to play in Peter Duggan for a second goal on their way to a 2-08 to 0-11 interval advantage.

Mark Rodgers stretched the gap to four on the restart, but Dublin refused to lie down and after Quilligan saved from Cian O’Sullivan, substitute Dara Purcell picked out Brian Hayes to beat Quiligan at his right post for a lifeline goal at 2-10 to 1-12.

Dublin grew in confidence with every passing score but thanks to that Quilligan penalty save, three points was as much as they led by before the home side managed to get their second wind.

A draw seemed the fairest result as the clock ticked inexorably down, but captain Kelly wasn’t about to accept that fate as his additional time goal cemented a first home league win in 22 months.

Scorers for Clare: Mark Rodgers 0-11 (9fs), Tony Kelly 1-3, David Reidy, Peter Duggan 1-0 each, Darragh Lohan, David Fitzgerald, Shane Meehan, Diarmuid Stritch 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin: Donal Burke 0-11 (9fs, 1 pen), Brian Hayes 1-3, Andy Dunphy, Conor Donohue, Cian O’Sullivan 0-2 each, Conor Burke, Dara Purcell 0-1 each.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Rory Hayes, Conor Cleary, Adam Hogan; Cathal Malone, Diarmuid Ryan, Cian Galvin; Darragh Lohan, Ryan Taylor; David Fitzgerald, Tony Kelly, Peter Duggan; David Reidy, Mark Rodgers, Shane Meehan.

Subs: Diarmuid Stritch for Reidy (46), Jack O’Neill for Fitzgerald (56), Niall O’Farrell for Duggan (59), John Conneally for Galvin (59), Colm O’Meara for Lohan (70).

Dublin: Sean Brennan; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Eoghan O’Donnell; Conor Burke, Chris Crummey, Andrew Dunphy; Conor Donohoe, Conor Groake; Brian Hayes, Cian O’Sullivan, Darragh Power; Donal Burke, Ronan Hayes, Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing.

Subs: Davy Keogh for Power (33), Dara Purcell for Ó Dúlaing (41), Conal Ó Riain for Keogh (57), David Lucey for C. Burke (66).

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway).