NHL round-up: Clare moved alongside Waterford at the top of the Allianz National Hurling League standings with an impressive 2-22 to 2-14 win over Offaly at Cusack Park this afternoon.
The visitors had topped the Division One A table prior to this clash but Clare were never going to be denied today, early goals from Tony Carmody and Tony Griffen helping them build a 2-7 to 1-8 lead.
Anthony Daly's largely inexperienced side pressed home that advantage in the second-half, substitute Derek Quinn catching the eye with three quick-fire points, and despite Joe Bergin's second goal of the match, Offaly never got within four points of the winners.
At Portaferry, John Mullane was at his inspirational best as Waterford put a demoralised Down side to the sword, the Munster side winning 6-12 to 0-8.
Down, who have yet to register a point in the top-flight, were never in the contest as Mullane, Jack Kennedy (2), Seamus Prendergast (2) and Paul Flynn profitted from slack marking to net the goals.
Cork's trip to Wexford Park was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
In Division One B, Kilkenny made sure of a place in the knockout stages thanks to a 0-12 to 1-7 win over Antrim at Nowlan Park, Galway consigned Babs Keating's Tipperary to another defeat, winning 3-11 to 0-11 at Thurles, while Limerick defeated Laois 1-14 to 0-13.