Munster SHC: Clare impress in Thurles

Munster Senior Hurling Championship

Clare 1-25 Tipp 0-17

By Stephen Barry at FBD Semple Stadium

Tipperary’s Liam MacCarthy Cup defence looks all but over as Clare secured their All-Ireland series progression with a resounding 11-point thumping in front of 32,327 fans at FBD Semple Stadium.

Far from a fortress, it’s the fourth time in a row the Banner have emerged victorious from a trip to play Tipp in Thurles. Diarmuid Stritch (0-6) picked up the man-of-the-match award.

The midfielder was among three late changes which all worked to perfection, with outstanding veteran John Conlon and David McInerney stabilising Clare’s defensive spine.

The hosts ended with 14 men after Willie Connors picked up a second booking in the 51st minute, by which time nine points separated the sides.

The Premier’s only remaining hope is that Waterford get a result in Limerick. Otherwise, their elimination will be confirmed this weekend, rendering their Shannonside trip a dead-rubber from Tipp’s perspective.

This meeting of the last two All-Ireland champions saw Clare take the wind in the first half. Tipp led 0-5 to 0-4 after 16 minutes, but the signs were pointing to Banner superiority.

They were held back by nine first-half wides and the efforts of Ronan Maher, who was Tipp’s most effective performer.

A couple of early hits saw Connors, David Fitzgerald, and Seán Rynne pick up yellow cards.

Tony Kelly collected points from a free and play as he was followed everywhere by Robert Doyle. Jason Forde had Tipp’s first two points, with the first from a sideline cut.

With four starting forwards held scoreless from play, Alan Tynan and Connors chipped in with points.

Clare outscored Tipp by 0-10 to 0-1 from the 20th to 35th minutes. Stritch knitted together three in a row, showing an intuitive understanding with Kelly.

Rhys Shelly saved from Peter Duggan as Clare played with advantage. When Ian Galvin was introduced for Mark Rodgers, he was a magnet for the ball. He assisted a Rynne point with his first touch and got off shots with his next three, but missed two. He ended with 1-2 and five wides. Cathal Malone completed Clare’s seven-in-a-row.

Rynne’s third from play pushed them eight up before Tipp were glad to finish with a pair of Darragh McCarthy frees for 0-14 to 0-8 at half-time. The 25-10 shot count emphasised Clare’s dominance.

The public address hadn’t had time to announce Tipp’s half-time change – Darragh Stakelum for Andrew Ormond – before Clare had the ball in the net. Galvin gobbled up the break from Ryan Taylor’s long ball and batted past the 'keeper.

Tipp’s best chance of a revival came and went in the 41st minute. John McGrath’s groundstroke was brilliantly saved by Éibhear Quilligan and Oisín O’Donoghue’s rebound clanked off the near post and wide.

A McCarthy free and Jake Morris had briefly raised home hopes, but after that miss, Clare reeled off the next four points, including the first of two Duggan sideline cuts.

Morris and Eoghan Connolly made it 1-19 to 0-13 before Tipp were reduced to 14 men as Connors tangled with David Reidy off the ball. Clare added another four on the spin with Stritch and Galvin leading the way.

Scorers for Clare: Diarmuid Stritch 0-6; Ian Galvin 1-2; Tony Kelly 0-5 (4f); Peter Duggan (2s/l, 1f), Seán Rynne 0-4 each; Cathal Malone 0-2; Niall O’Farrell, Ryan Taylor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: Jake Morris 0-4; Eoghan Connolly (2f), Darragh McCarthy (3f), Jason Forde (1s/l) 0-3 each; Willie Connons, Alan Tynan, Conor Stakelum, Stefan Tobin 0-1 each.

Clare: Éibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, David McInerney, Darragh Lohan; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, Niall O’Farrell; Ryan Taylor, Diarmuid Stritch; Cathal Malone, Tony Kelly, Seán Rynne; Peter Duggan, Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers.

Subs: David Fitzgerald for Rodgers (8-13, temp), Ian Galvin for Rodgers (25, inj), David Reidy for Taylor (46, inj), Fitzgerald for Kelly (57, inj), Conor Cleary for Rynne (62), Shane Meehan for O’Donnell (65).

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Michael Breen, Bryan O’Mara, Ronan Maher; Eoghan Connolly, Robert Doyle, Craig Morgan; Willie Connors, Alan Tynan; Andrew Ormond, Jake Morris, Oisín O’Donoghue; Darragh McCarthy, John McGrath, Jason Forde.

Subs: Darragh Stakelum for Ormond (h-t), Conor Stakelum for Breen (42), Sam O’Farrell for Tynan (48), Stefan Tobin for McCarthy (51), Noel McGrath for Forde (57), Keith Ryan for O’Donoghue (66-f-t, temp).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).