Munster SHC: Clare win thrilling opener

Munster Senior Hurling Championship

Clare 2-33 Waterford 4-21

By Cian O'Connell at Ziomer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg

The drama. An absorbing Munster SHC opener unfolded in Ennis with Clare surviving despite a defiant Waterford display.

Substitute Shane Meehan's goal deep into stoppage proved to be the final blow in a game that raged. Waterford's grit and determination was admirable, but Clare still found a way in front of 18,338 spectators.

So much happened. Sean Rynne nailed five points, Tony Kelly dashed about clipping four, a tally matched by the ever dependable Shane O'Donnell, who was relevant to the narrative always.

At the opposite end of the field the metronomic Stephen Bennett finished with a remarkable 3-12 haul, and still ended up on the losing side. It was that sort of game. Austin Gleeson made a welcome return to the inter-county fold, mining two points, but it still wasn't enough. Brian Lohan's team prevailed.

Unsurprisingly, the opening period commenced at a decent clip with Waterford eager to make an impact against the locals, who'd generated momentum winning Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League.

When the industrious Seán Rynne whipped over a fine point to edge Clare 0-4 to 0-3 ahead in the 10th minute, Waterford summoned a response.

Stephen Bennett reacted promptly after his initial effort was saved by Eibhear Quilligan to rattle the net from the rebound.

Clare reeled off three points on the spin courtesy of Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers (free), and Diarmuid Ryan, but Waterford pounced again.

Niall O'Farrell fouled Seán Walsh and from the resultant penalty Bennett struck again, edging Waterford 2-3 to 0-7 ahead.

It remained keenly contested and hard fought with Waterford 2-8 to 0-13 in front in first half stoppage time.

Rodgers subsequently rifled over a couple of frees to ensure Clare led by the minimum, 0-15 to 2-8, at the turnaround. Delicately poised, it most certainly was.

When the action recommenced there was no let up. Rodgers pass released Peter Duggan to scored a goal. Before Rodgers added a score from a free, Adam Hogan had thwarted Walsh with a sweet block.

Chances continued to be crafted. Billy Nolan's long free caused panic with Bennett profiting to complete his hat-truck on 42. That goal had Waterford back to within three, 1-18 to 3-9.

Midway through the second period Clare scored six unanswered points to move 1-27 to 3-12 clear. That appeared to be a healthy cushion, but Waterford just kept battling.

Hutchinson and Callum Lyons were involved in the build up to Seán Walsh's 63rd minute goal. When Bennett tapped over a free seconds later, Clare's advantage stood at 1-30 to 4-18.

From then until the end it stayed alive. Only three divided the teams when Waterford replacement Patrick Curran had an attempt repelled by Quilligan.

Bennett narrowed the gap with a free, but Tony Kelly fired over a trademark score to settle the nerves.

Then, Meehan's major sealed the deal.

Scorers for Clare: Mark Rodgers 0-11 (10fs, 1 65), Sean Rynne 0-5, Peter Duggan 1-1, Tony Kelly and Shane O'Donnell 0-4 each, Shane Meehan 1-0, Diarmuid Stritch 0-3, Darragh Lohan and Diarmuid Ryan 0-2 each, Ryan Taylor 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett 3-12 (1-0 pen, 12fs), Dessie Hutchinson 0-4, Sean Walsh 1-0, Jamie Barron and Austin Gleeson 0-2 each, Peter Hogan 0-1.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Rory Hayes, Conor Cleary, Adam Hogan; Diarmuid Ryan, Niall O'Farrell, Cathal Malone; Ryan Taylor, Darragh Lohan; Tony Kelly, David Reidy, Seán Rynne; Mark Rodgers, Peter Duggan, Shane O'Donnell.

Subs: Conor Leen for Hogan (22-28), Diarmuid Stritch for Reidy (50), Conor Leen for Hayes (58), Shane Meehan for O'Donnell (62), Ian Galvin for Rynne (66), Ronan Kilroy for Hogan (68).

Waterford: Billy Nolan; Ian Kenny, Mark Fitzgerald, Aaron O'Neill; Jack Fagan, Paddy Leavey, Shane Bennett; Calum Lyons, Darragh Lyons; Michael Kiely, Jamie Barron, Jack Prendergast; Stephen Bennett, Seán Walsh, Dessie Hutchinson.

Subs: Peter Hogan for Shane Bennett (41), Austin Gleeson for Kiely (47), Kevin Mahony for D Lyons (54), Patrick Curran for Barron (67).

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway).