Lynch the ace as late point puts Bannermen through
Quite simply, his was the most influential role over the course of a game in which Galway showed more promise until they began to lose ground at its most critical and competitive phase.
Niall Gilligan's 20th minute goal from an uninspiring 40 yards free proved crucial in challenging the Westerners' early advantage and a combined nine points from club-mates Sean McMahon and Jamesie O'Connor were to prove vital also. But, with Lynch the powerhouse at midfield, it was the more crafty Clare who had the overall power to snatch victory when a draw loomed.
For Cyril Lyons and his players, a semi-final meeting with Munster champions Waterford on August 11 represents a giant leap forward from the 19th of May, when they lost by two points to Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Yet, given that they only took the lead for the first time in the 62nd minute (through a Niall Gilligan free, 'won' by Jamesie O'Connor), it was by no means certain they would triumph. The fact that they did was testament to their greater experience.
Significantly, in view of the consistency he was to achieve primarily through an unbelievable work-rate Lynch was one of the first players to show up well in the game. Another was the gifted Kevin Broderick on the left wing for Galway, who pointed twice inside the opening six minutes and looked especially sharp.
Yet, it was noteworthy that after Gerry Quinn was brought over on him, he was never the same threat. And, a further bonus for the Munster side was that Quinn also impressed at times in an attacking role, hitting one great point late in the half.
Sean McMahon, too, settled quickly (against David Tierney) and was to dominate until Richie Murray made progress against him in the 10 minutes before the break.
However, in general play Galway's forwards had much to offer and it was no surprise to see them edge in front 0-6 to 0-1 by the 15th minute. Their defensive play was also impressive, with team captain Liam Hodgins at centre- back particularly to the forefront and both corner-backs Gregory Kennedy and Ollie Canning very dependable.
Having first switched corner forwards and then realigned their half-forward line, Clare had only the full-
forward in his selected position before he was moved to the centre after half an hour. O'Connor was only finding it difficult to get involved, but he was off target with some of his shooting and it wasn't until Gilligan got
his goal that there was some semblance of a concerted effort from them.
Interestingly, Galway were afterwards unhappy with the awarding of the initial free, with manager Noel Lane describing it as "dubious".
Eugene Cloonan, who posed problems for Brian Lohan at times but didn't succeed in creating much space for himself, was injured controversially in the 33rd minute. He was caught by what appeared to be a misjudged swing by Lohan and it seemed neither the near side umpire nor linesman witnessed it, resulting in referee Willie Barrett being booed when he took no action.
It happened immediately after Alan Markham missed a possible goal for Clare when he failed to connect with a ground ball after it came back off an upright. With the Galway attack having lost its momentum, they finished the half three points in front, 0-10 to 1-4.
Clare were to manage a steady improvement, with Lynch continuing to exert the strongest influence around midfield, McMahon reasserting himself and Lohan (yellow carded for a foul on Cloonan) settling down to play his hurling of the game. Likewise, Frank Lohan and Brian Quinn tightened up in the corners.
Additionally, Ollie Baker made his presence felt at midfield and John Reddan looked comfortable at left half- back until replaced by Conor Plunkett, who made an immediate impact.
Further up, O'Connor was more in tune with his hurling and won a lot of good possession, and there was a better return from Gilligan, Tony Griffin and Carmody.
Galway continued to cover well at the heart of their defence but they weren't winning enough ball around midfield and, with Broderick only briefly repeating his promise at a later stage (in the left corner), they didn't penetrate often enough. Nevertheless, they had opportunities of scores around the three-quarters stages, after McMahon had equalised (1-10 to 0-13) and the game looked delicately balanced.
Clare, likewise, spurned chances, except that their increasing influence given impetus by the defence mainly, and Lynch put them in a stronger position. Ultimately, after substitute Ger Farragher looked to have earned Galway a draw, it took a magical point from Lynch to earn them a famous win.
*Willie Barrett controlled the game well, imposing his authority when needed.
He kept his mistakes to a minimum.
Scorers for Clare: J. O'Connor 0-5 (0- 3 frees); N. Gilligan 1-1 (1-0 free); S. McMahon 0-4 from seventies; G. Quinn, D. Forde, T. Carmody, T. Griffin and C. Lynch 0-1 each.
Galway: E. Cloonan 0-4 (0-3 frees); K. Broderick and A. Kerins 0-3 each; D. Hayes, F. Healy and R. Murray 0-2 each; G. Farragher 0-1 each.
CLARE: D. Fitzgerald; B. Quinn, B. Lohan (capt), F. Lohan; D. Hoey, S. McMahon, G. Quinn; J. Reddan, C. Lynch; J. O'Connor, T. Griffin, N. Gilligan; D. Forde, T. Carmody, A. Markham. Subs: O. Baker for Hoey and C. Earlie for Markham (second half); C. Plunkett for Reddan (50th); G. Considine for Earley (58th); A. Quinn for Forde (67th).
GALWAY: M. Crimmins; G. Kennedy, D. Cloonan, O. Canning; D. Hardiman, L. Hodgins (capt), D. O'Brien; P. Wash, R. Murray; A. Kerins, D. Tierney, K. Broderick; D. Hayes, E. Cloonan, F. Healy. Subs: J. Rabbitte for Walsh (50th); B. Higgins for Hardiman (51st); G. Farragher for Tierney (63rd); R. Gantley for Healy (66th).
Referee: W. Barrett (Tipperary).
*Attendance: 41,619.
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