Bord Gáis Energy Munster Under 21 Hurling Semi Final

Waterford 3-23 Clare 1-11

By Tomás McCarthy at Walsh Park

Waterford savaged Clare in the second period to advance to their first Munster under 21 final for seven years at a sunny Walsh Park.

Sean Power’s team smashed 2-10 without reply either side of the break to wipe away the disappointment of Sunday’s Munster final. Stephen Bennett was on fire with 2-3 from play and Patrick Curran claimed 0-9 as the Déise look forward to a final meeting against either Limerick or Tipperary on July 27.

Colm Roche ended the contest by the close of the third quarter with another lethal three pointer. They overwhelmed their opponents by 3-13 to 0-2 to please the 4,126 supporters present at the city ground.

Power included twelve All Ireland minor medallists from 2013 in his first fifteen. Austin Gleeson, Shane Bennett and Patrick Curran started last Sunday’s Munster final at the Gaelic Grounds while Tom Devine and Conor Gleeson came off the bench.

Clare had a fifth consecutive provincial final appearance in their sights and they could call on senior panellists David Fitzgerald, Bobby Duggan and Aron Shanagher. The Banner won the previous six under 21 championship meetings between the sides.

The wind assisted visitors galloped 1-4 to 0-1 up after nine minutes. Donal Moloney’s charges dominated the puck-outs and stamped their authority on the contest. Oisin Donnellan rattled the cobwebs on nine minutes after Colin Crehan’s initial effort was blocked down. Midfielder Kevin Hehir also struck two points in this early spurt.

The hosts retaliated with three in a row consisting of two Patrick Curran frees and Michael Kearney from open play. The Banner regained that six point advantage as David Conroy, O’Gorman, Shane Gleeson and Shanagher all raised white flags.

Waterford completed the half on a high with four on the bounce. Austin Gleeson swept over a sideline, Curran struck a brace and Mark O’Brien also got on the scoresheet. The home fans upped the volume as the Déise reached the dressing rooms two points behind.

Within twelve seconds of the restart, Michael Kearney found Stephen Bennett who flashed to the net. The Bennett brothers both added points along with Curran and Tom Devine. Stephen Bennett blasted in a second on 37 minutes after he collected DJ Foran’s delivery.

Bobby Duggan interrupted that flow from a free. Curran hit back with two frees before midfielder Roche put the final nail in the coffin on 44 minutes. Power could afford to empty the subs bench as Peter Hogan and Jack Fagan posted late singles. A rampant Deise outfit ended the hour on 3-15 from play with ten different names obliging.

**Scorers for Waterford: **Stephen Bennett 2-3, Patrick Curran 0-9 (7fs, 1 65), C Roche 1-0, Shane Bennett, A Gleeson, M O’Brien, M Kearney 0-2 each, P Hogan, J Fagan, T Devine 0-1 each.

**Scorers for Clare: **O Donnellan 1-0, D Conroy 0-3, K Hehir, B O’Gorman 0-2 each, S Gleeson, B Duggan (f), R Taylor, A Shanagher 0-1 each.

**Waterford: **J Henley; W Hahessy, C Gleeson, D Lyons; C Prunty, A Gleeson, M Harney; M O’Brien, M Kearney; DJ Foran, Shane Bennett, T Devine; P Curran, Stephen Bennett, C Roche. Subs: A Farrell for Foran (42), P Hogan for Prunty (48), J Fagan for Kearney (52), R Brown for Shane Bennett (57), B O’Keeffe for A Gleeson (58).

Clare: D Vaughan; R Hayes, D Fitzgerald, C Cooney; J McCarthy, A McGuane, B O’Gorman; D Conroy, K Hehir; O Donnellan, B Duggan, S Gleeson; C Crehan, R Taylor, A Shanagher. Subs: S Taylor for Crehan (H-T), S Ward for Cooney (48), P O’Loughlin for Gleeson (41), P Fitzgerald for Donnellan (54), C Burke for Hehir (55).

Referee: F Horgan (Tipperary)