Senior hurlers edged out narrowly by Banner

Sun, 15th March 2015

CLARE 2-22 DUBLIN 2-20

A Tony Kelly goal five minutes from time helped seal victory for Clare in this NHL Division 1A contest at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 2.753.

Dublin led at half-time 1-12 to 1-10 after having held a six-point advantage on two occasions during the opening period and enjoyed a numerical advantage in the second half after the Banner County had Brendan Bugler red-carded towards the close of the half.

Cian Boland got Dublin's goal in the fifth minute following the impressive Liam Rushe had his goal attempt saved.

Clare's three-pointer was not without an element of luck when John Conlon's point effort deceived Alan Nolan and dropped under the crossbar.

A Mark Schutte point, his third of the second half, was quickly followed by a David O'Callaghan goal in the 46th minute and Dublin looked well set for victory.

However, five unanswered points from Clare drew them level going into the concluding ten minutes and they held the upperhand going down the home straight with Kelly's goal the decisive score.

Dublin face Galway in Parnell Park next Sunday in their last regulation league game.

SCORERS - Clare: T Kelly 1-9 (0-7f); J Conlon 1-4 (0-2f); C McGrath 0-5; A Cunningham, P Donnellan, D Reidy, D McInerney 0-1 each. Dublin: D O'Callaghan 1-4; P Ryan 0-5 (0-5f); L Rushe 0-4; M Schutte 0-3; C Boland 1-0, D Sutcliffe, C Crummey, S Barrett, B Quinn 0-1 each

CLARE: D Tuohy; P Flanagan, C Dillon, D McInerney; B Bugler, C Ryan, P O'Connor; P Donnellan, C Galvin; J Conlon, T Kelly, S Golden; C McGrath, S O'Donnell, A Cunningham. Subs: D Reidy for Golden (43 mins), J Browne for O'Connor (52), D O'Donovan for Flanagan (inj 67), B Duggan for Cunningham (70).

DUBLIN: A Nolan; M Carton, C O'Callaghan, P Schutte; C Crummey, P Kelly, S Barrett; C Cronin, S Durkin; D Sutcliffe, P Ryan, M Schutte; D O'Callaghan, L Rushe, C Boland. Subs: N Corcoran for Carton (inj 28 mins), B Quinn for Cronin (55), C Keaney for Corcoran (60), E Dillon for Sutcliffe (inj 64).

REF: C McAllister (Cork).