Lynch the ace as late point puts Bannermen through

Clare 1-15, Galway 0-17THERE could have been no more fitting reward for Colin Lynch's herculean effort for Clare in Croke Park yesterday than to score the winning point 20 seconds from the end of the Guinness All-Ireland hurling quarter-final.

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.