Senior hurlers lose to Kelly-inspired Clare

HL DIVISION 1B

DUBLIN 2-23 CLARE 0-34

A third-quarter fadeout hit Dublin as they lost to Clare by five points in Saturday's HL Division 1B clash at Parnell Park.

Both counties had periods throughout this high-scoring tussle when they enjoyed the upperhand with Dublin on top in the concluding ten minutes of the opening half.

Dublin finished out the game with 14 men after Eoghan O'Donnell was shown a second yellow card with seven minutes remaining of the second half. The talented Whitehall Colmcille defender had been one of Dublin's best performers. 

The sides were level 0-6 at the first-half water break before the Banner moved three points clear with scores from Aaron Shanagher, the influential Tony Kelly and Shane O'Donnell.

By the 25th minute their lead was five points before Dublin played their best hurling - scoring 2-3 inside the next ten minutes.

Points from Donal Burke (free) and Mark Schutte were followed by a well-taken Ronan Hayes goal after an accurate long delivery from Cian Boland. Full of confidence then the Kilmacud Crokes forward fired over a point following a fine fetch to see Dublin edge in front, 1-10 to 0-12.

Dublin might have had a second goal but Clare goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan did well to deny Hayes.

The second goal for Mattie Kenny's men did come approaching half-time when Cian Boland was on the mark from close range, after he was initially hooked, to open up a three-point advantage, 2-10 to 0-13.

Before the interval Clare sharpshooter Kelly had converted two further frees, either side of one from Donal Burke, for Dublin to hold a 2-11 to 0-15 interval lead.

Like they finished the half well the Dubs also began it impressively with early scores from Cian Boland, Donal Burke (free), a fine effort from Danny Sutcliffe, and a fourth early point by Chris Crummey.

Dublin's work-rate was causing problems for the visitors as the home side established a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside six minutes.

In the third-quarter Clare outscored Dublin 0-10 to 0-5 with the freetaking of Kelly to the fore with Aidan McCarthy also instrumental - to see Clare move 0-25 to 2-16 ahead.

Clare continued to show great accuracy and to keep Dublin just at arm's length as they ran out victors.

SCORERS - Clare: T Kelly 0-20 (0-13f, 0-1 65), A McCarthy 0-4, D Fitzgerald, S O’Donnell, M Rodgers 0-2 each, A Shanagher, D Reidy, D Ryan, C Malone 0-1 each. Dublin: D Burke 0-13 (0-9f), R Hayes 1-2, C Boland 1-1, D Sutcliffe, C Crummey 0-2 each, D Gray, M Schutte, E Dillon 0-1 each.

CLARE: E Quilligan; R Hayes, C Cleary, A Fitzgerald; D Ryan, J Conlon, P Fitzpatrick; C Malone, C Galvin; S O’Donnell, T Kelly, A McCarthy; M Rodgers, A Shanagher, I Galvin. Subs: D Reidy for I Galvin (47), D Fitzgerald for Fitzpatrick (53), S McMahon for Rodgers (62), D McInerney for C Galvin (67).

DUBLIN: A Nolan; A Dunphy, E O’Donnell, C O’Callaghan; P Smyth, C Burke, D Gray; C Crummey, J Madden; D Sutcliffe, R Hayes, M Schutte; C Boland, E Dillon, D Burke. Subs: R McBride for Smyth (49), J Hetherton for Schutte (54), D Keogh for Boland (60), P Crummey for Dillon (69), F Whitely for Sutcliffe (69).

REF: C Cunning (Antrim).