Sport

Kelly inspirational in Clare's success

Munster SH (Waterford Crystal) Cup Final Clare 1-21 Tipperary 1-13: Clare claimed the Waterford Crystal cup for the second time…

Mon Feb 11 2013 - 00:00

Munster SH (Waterford Crystal) Cup Final Clare 1-21 Tipperary 1-13:Clare claimed the Waterford Crystal cup for the second time with a comfortable win at Semple Stadium on Saturday night.

The early exchanges were free-flowing with the sides level on four occasions in the first 10 minutes with Seadna Morey to the fore for Clare while Shane Bourke and Brian O’Meara were on the mark for a lively Tipp inside attack.

Tipperary struck for goal in the 13th minute with a flowing team move with Eoin Kelly, O’Meara and Bourke combining to set up Patrick Maher for a close-range finish.

The home side kept their noses in front through scores from Kelly and Bourke. But Clare slowly got on top with Domhnall O’Donovan and Patrick Donnellan taking over in defence while their forwards picked off good scores courtesy of the excellent Tony Kelly, Colin Ryan, Alan O’Neill, Enda Barrett and Fergal Lynch to help the visitors establish a 0-14 to 1-8 half time lead.

READ MORE

A much sharper Clare team extended their dominance in the second half with man of the match Tony Kelly bringing his personal tally to five points.

Shane O’Donnell’s goal in the 52nd minute ended the game as a contest.

Tipperary struggled to raise a gallop in the second half, scoring just five points, three coming from frees, while they also had corner back Conor O’Brien sent off for a second bookable offence in the 58th minute.

A vibrant Clare side pushed on to record a good victory which sets them up nicely for the start of the League when they host Waterford in Ennis.

CLARE: P Kelly; D O'Donovan, J McInerney, D McInerney; B Bugler, P Donnellan, P O'Connor; F Lynch (0-2), S Morey (0-2); C Ryan (0-9, seven frees, 1 65), T Kelly (0-5), E Barrett (0-1); P Collins, A O'Neill (0-1), S O'Donnell (1-1). Subs: P Duggan for Lynch (53); J Clancy for Collins (62); D O'Halloran for O'Donnell (64); L Markham for Barrett (66); D Honan for O'Neill (70+1).

TIPPERARY: B Cummins; D Maher, P Curran, C O'Brien; J McLoughney, T Stapleton, S Hennessy; S McGrath, N McGrath (0-1 free); J Forde, E Kelly (0-6, five frees), P Maher (1-0); B O'Meara (0-1), S Bourke (0-2), S Callanan (0-2, one free). Subs: J O'Brien (0-1) for O'Meara (ht); J Ryan for McLoughney (52); T Hammersley for Kelly (57); J Woodlock for Stapleton (62); J O'Neill for Curran (66 inj).

REFEREE: G O'Connell (Cork).