Banner blast rocks Decies

Clare 4-14 Waterford 0-21

Both sides served up a marvellous exhibition of hurling but it was the goal-scoring expertise of Anthony Daly's side that proved the decisive factor.

Waterford conceded four goals while the sending off of Eoin McGrath for a bad tackle on Clare's Ger O'Grady proved a disaster.

Waterford looked the more impressive side for long spells but weaknesses in defence cost them dear and allowed Clare to top the qualifier section.

With great expectations, a massive Waterford throng descended on Ennis.

Their side certainly gave them great value for money but once again it was a case of so near but yet so far.

There was little between the sides early on as the lead regularly changed hands and it took a wonder save from Davy Fitzgerald to deny Waterford a goal early on.

In the space of a minute, Clare pounced to expose Waterford's fragile defence.

Impressive wing forward Diarmuid McMahon hammered home a rebound for goal number one and then full forward Niall Gilligan, with a deft hand pass, set up Alan Markham for a real gem.

In the twinkling of an eye and with half-time looming, Waterford found themselves six points adrift and when an out-of-touch Paul Flynn shot wide from a 20 metre free to leave it 2-6 to 0-9 in Clare's favour at the break, Justin McCarthy's side were facing an uphill battle.

Winger McMahon increased Clare's lead to seven points within seconds of the resumption. And now Waterford really had it all to do.

However, they rose to the massive challenge in style. They reeled off four points, one from the outstanding Ken McGrath one of the best I have ever seen and now it was Clare's turn to soak up the pressure.

But then Waterford were hit by a double blow.

Goalkeeper Stephen Brenner committed himself to a high lob from McMahon only to have the ball flicked passed him and into the net by left corner forward Tony Griffin. Then when they had clawed their way back to within three points of the winners, Eoin McGrath got his marching orders.

To their credit, Waterford never allowed Clare any real breathing space. And with Ken McGrath magnificent at midfield and Dan Shanahan a tower of strength on the right wing, Waterford were only two points adrift entering the closing stages.

Five minutes from time, however, Clare sealed victory with a second goal from Alan Markham.

Scorers for Clare: A Markham (2-0), T Griffin (1-2), D McMahon (1-1), N Gilligan (0-6, 0-5 frees), S McMahon (0-2, 0-1 65), F Lohan, D O'Rourke, B O'Connell (0-1 each).

Waterford: K McGrath (0-6, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), P Flynn (0-4 all frees), J Mullane (0-4), D Shanahan (0-3), E McGrath, E Kelly, M Walsh, T Browne (0-1 each).

CLARE: D Fitzgerald, F Lohan, B Lohan, G O'Grady, D Hoey, S McMahon, G Quinn, B O'Connell, C Lynch, D McMahon, T Carmody, A Markham, A Quinn, N Gilligan, T Griffin, Subs: D Forde for A Quinn, D O'Rourke for Forde, C Plunkett for Hoey, D O'Connell for Carmody, B Lynch for O'Connell.

WATERFORD: S Brenner, T Feeney, F Hartley, E Murphy, T Browne, J Murray, B Phelan, K. McGrath, M Walsh, D Shanahan, E Kelly, P Flynn, J Mullane, S Prendergast, E McGrath. Sub: P O'Brien for Prendergast.

Referee: M Haverty (Galway).