National Hurling League Divisions One A and One B/Clare 1-16 Waterford 0-15: Clare left two important items of business late for their successful venture into the bear pit that Walsh Park can prove for visiting teams yesterday. Firstly, they delayed deciding on their team selection until moments before the throw-in, a move influenced by the flu bug that has been prevalent within the squad for a number of days.
More importantly was their belated shattering of Waterford's hopes of retaining their unbeaten record. This happened clinically in the 28th minute of the second half when the visitors broke Waterford hearts in the 6,000 crowd with a barnstorming finish that yielded a goal by substitute Derek Quinn following a defensive blunder and a smart follow-up point from Fergal Lynch.
It was a badly needed barrage that left Waterford reeling and Clare ahead by 1-14 to 0-13. It had been clearly signposted from an early stage on a heavy pitch that a goal by either side was going to turn the game on its head.
Earlier a not too incisive Waterford should have been enjoying more than a 0-13 to 0-10 lead. Waterford were dealt a painful blow just after the start when Eoin Kelly, their long-range expert and big influential player went over on an ankle and could take no further part.
Tony Carmody, ultimately inspired Clare with accuracy of the placed ball, but he drove a first-half penalty over the bar.
Clare were happy once Anthony Daly could name most of his walking wounded to start. True, there were bracing doses of hurling passion but the pitch from a distance looked better than it actually was and the pace suffered on the sodden surface.
Clare's performance was marked by delivery of strength and slow burning power. Carmody, the McMahons, Colm Forde, the Lohans (Brian had to retire injured in the second half), substitute Derek Quinn, Alan Markham and Brian O'Connell kept the ship steady for the visitors.
Paul Flynn led the Waterford challenge mainly through accuracy of frees.
The crucial support was generally laid on by Kevin Moran, Denis Coffey, Brian Phelan, Michael Walsh, Dan Shanahan and John Mullane.
The home side led by 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time, despite recording many wides.
By far the loudest cheer of the day went up when Ken McGrath was introduced in the second half.
However, the exciting attacker was obviously not ready to give of his usual best and added to Waterford wides with his first puck.
Anthony Daly was pleased with his team's performance and added that they rode their luck a times. "We set standards for ourselves and although these standards dropped in the last match against Wexford I was particularly pleased to see the general improvement."
Justin McCarthy, the Waterford manager, insisted that the setback on home soil will not result in any panic. We have four points in the bag with two matches to play so its all to play for. Eoin Kelly was a huge loss to us. His rangy deliveries were badly missed."
Daly was disappointed about Brian Lohan's injury but admitted that it was not serious and had the match been of greater importance he would have allowed him to stay on.
CLARE: D Fitzgerald; C McMahon, B Lohan, F Lohan; D Hoey, C Forde, C Harrison; B O'Connell (0-2), B Lynch (0-1); D McMahon (0-3), F Lynch (0-1), G O'Grady; T Griffin (0-1), T Carmody (0-6, 3 fs and pen) A Markham. Subs; B Nugent (0-1) for F Lynch; D Quinn (1-1) for Hoey, G Quin for B Lohan.
WATERFORD: C Hennessey; T Feeney, K Moran, D Coffey; B Phelan, J Morrissey, J Murphy; E Kelly, M Kelly; D Shanahan (0-3), S Prendergast, A Markham (0-3); J Kennedy (0-2), C Carey, M P Flynn (0-6, 3 fs line ball). Subs: G O'Connor for Carey, K McGrath for Prendergast, M Walsh (0-1) for E Kelly.
Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).
