Brian Lohan and Clare took the spoils after they defeated Wexford on an extremely hot day in Thurles. Early on Clare took control and led by 11 points after 23 minutes. Tony Kelly was tracked well by Shane Reck throughout the afternoon, but ultimately the lead was too much for Wexford to claw back and Clare were victorious by three points.
It was Wexford who scored first with Conor MacDonald scoring within 10 seconds, but their lead was short lived and Clare took control and got four in a row, Kelly (2 frees), David Reidy and the excellent Diarmuid Ryan doing the damage. Four points to one after 10 minutes.
Wexford had a great goal chance through Rory O’Connor, who raced inside on his left only to strike the side netting. Almost immediately from the puck out the impressive Cathal Malone won it, ran towards goal and rifled the ball to the net, a double blow for Wexford. From almost being level to being six points down.
Clare continued to punish Wexford, Kelly got his first from play, Aidan McCarthy got two and Shanagher got in on the act, Clare were leading 1-12 to 0-4 after about 23 minutes. Diarmuid O’Keefe then got on to a breaking ball and finished to the net, Wexford were finally motoring. They outscored Clare six points to three for the rest of the half, in particular Cathal Dunbar was finding his range. By half time the deficit was five, 1-15 to 1-10.
The resurgence continued after the break, and Wexford got the first three of the second period. Rory O’Connor, MacDonald and Liam Óg Mcgovern had made it a two point game. This was as close as Wexford got. Clare got the next three and all of a sudden it was a 6 point game, one from Reidy and two from Kelly, one a free and the other after overturning a Wexford puckout.
The sides were trading points for the next 10 minutes, with Wexford getting the better of it. Wexford were going long and high quite a bit, but failed to convert goal chances. If ever they won the highball Clare bottled them up quickly and could not get a shot away.
The gap swayed between three and five points towards the end. The outstanding Dunbar, Chin and Rory O’Connor got Wexford closer, while substitute Mark Rodgers knocked over two for Clare. With three between them in the 70th minute and Wexford pushing big time with balls long and high, it was set for a grandstand finish.
Tony Kelly delivered a high ball to the edge of the Wexford square, and Gary Cooney, just on the field, flicked the ball to the net, and that was game over. Lee Chin finally got the goal Wexford had needed but it was too late and the Banner advance to round 2 of the qualifiers.
Wexford may question the decision of referee Fergal Horgan to throw in the ball after Rory O’Connor appeared to be fouled while bearing down on goal in the second half.
For Wexford and Davy Fitzgerald it’ll be interesting to see what happens after this. They performed well in the championship this year, but ultimately came up short. To be behind by 11 points and come back to win doesn’t happen too often.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Paul Flanagan, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes (0-01); Diarmuid Ryan (0-01), John Conlon, Paidi Fitzpatrick; Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly (0-09, 0-07f); Cathal Malone (1-01), David Reidy (0-03), Ryan Taylor (0-03); Aron Shanagher (0-02), Aidan McCarthy (0-03), Ian Galvin.
Subs: David McInerney for Fitzpatrick (HT), Mark Rodgers (0-02) for I. Galvin (48), Jack Browne for C. Galvin (55), Aaron Fitzgerald for Conlon (65), Gary Cooney (1-00) for Shanagher (70)
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Gavin Bailey, Liam Ryan, Matthew O’Hanlon; Joe O’Connor, Simon Donohoe, Liam Óg McGovern (0-01); Shane Reck, Diarmuid O’Keeffe (1-00); Paul Morris, Lee Chin (1-12, 0-09f, 0-01’65), Rory O’Connor (0-02); Cathal Dunbar (0-05), Conor McDonald (0-02), Kevin Foley.
Subs: Damien Reck for J. O’Connor (46), Jack O’Connor for McGovern (47), Aidan Nolan for Morris (53), Connal Flood for Bailey (58), Mikie Dwyer for O’Keeffe (66)
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)
The Hurling Podcast 