Banner’s superior strikeforce the key

Clare’s firepower.

Clare won this game because they had superior firepower to their opponents, Waterford. All of the Clare forwards scored, and even though Colin Ryan contributed frees, the fact that he scored points in the second half, punishing Déise indiscretions, was vital in pulling Clare back on level terms. They achieved this by the 50th minute.

Waterford, on the other hand, were over-reliant on Maurice Shanahan for scores. He proved a handful for young David McInerney under the dropping ball in the first half, and was excellent when he took over free-taking duties from the inconsistent Padraic O’Mahony.