What a difference a week makes for Waterford

Waterford 3-21 Clare1-8

How else does one explain their runaway win in the Guinness Munster SHC in Thurles yesterday, an outcome influenced almost as much by the ineptitude of the Clare challenge as the brilliance of Justin McCarthy's team, so superbly prepared and so strategically well-placed.

Despite those variables a 19 points difference at the finish could not have been anticipated.

Equally as remarkable, perhaps, was the fact that Waterford led from start to finish with Clare waiting 27 minutes for their first score and that Dan Shanahan finished with a hat-trick of goals in only his second championship start under McCarthy. Less surprising, was the fact that the win inspired a plethora of man-of-the-match performances. Midfielder Eoin Kelly was mine, marginally ahead of team captain Ken McGrath, Shanahan and John Mullane. And yet it could be argued that manager McCarthy deserved as much praise as any for building up their confidence after the poorness of their display against Galway seven days previously.

Pride was the spur which saw them overwhelm Clare illustrated on numerous occasions when the likes of Mullane tugged on his jersey after scoring. The management were also superbly vindicated in the decision to retain Ken McGrath in the half-back line. His placing in the centre where he totally outplayed Colin Lynch for the 20 minutes that he was there was a master stroke. Additionally, it would be acknowledged that Michael Walsh played a key role in subduing Seán McMahon and that Séamus Prendergast's hard work helped to nullify Brian Lohan.

Overall, it was an inauspicious occasion for the senior members of the team Clare team, manager Anthony Daly included, with Ollie Baker taken off early and injured James O'Connor lasting only five minutes after being introduced in the second half. With Mullane pointing the way for Waterford after a mere 15 seconds, they had three points on the board before Shanahan scored his first goal in the 15th minute. It was notable that he won possession from a long clearance from Tony Browne, as the half-back line was where Waterford were at their most dominant Ken McGrath was contributing from the opening minutes, while Browne and Brian Phelan were to excel in turn. Behind them full-back Tom Feeney was another dominant figure.

At the other end, Mullane and Shanahan were in top form and Paul Flynn was an influential figure on the left wing. Add in the fact that Dave Bennett and Eoin Kelly were unerring in their free-taking and it all meant that Waterford had so many more attacking options.

By the time Lynch got Clare's first score, Waterford had hit 1-6. Two minutes after Clare's opener Shanahan had the ball in the net a second time with Bennett the provider. The Banner almost had a lifeline when Frank Lohan raced through on goal but his hurried shot was easily stopped by Stephen Brenner.

While Waterford's domination of the game saw them waste some good chances, they remained in controlling position until they conceded a goal just before half-time. Feeney gave away a penalty, after failing to clear his line and while Davy Fitzgerald's low effort was stopped, Tony Griffin finished the rebound to the net. It left Clare trailing by six points at the interval (2-7 to 1-4). Clare were unable to continue their revival and as long as Waterford were able to pick off their scores which they did to telling effect the game was not going to change. Niall Gilligan, outplayed by James Murray in the first half, looked promising for a while for Clare, but he faded. And Daly's desperation saw him bring in James O'Connor and then quickly replace the injured St Josephs' man.

To make matters worse, an effort at producing a goal through a quick free from Gilligan failed when David Forde fumbled the ball before Frank Lohan was penalised for over-charging. It was that kind of a day for the so-called favourites. Later on, there was a further illustration when McMahon (who failed from four efforts at scores) fouled the ball in the course of taking another free. Eoin Kelly was hugely influential at midfield over the course of the last half-hour, in the process hitting some magnificent scores on then run, while Mullane and Shanahan continued to excel as Walsh and Prendergast also made sizeable contributions. A series of changes did little to lift the Clare challenge. And when the game was well gone from them, Shanahan applied the coup-de-gras with his third goal three minutes from time.

Gerard Harrington's refereeing was well up to standard.

Scorers: Waterford: D. Shanahan 3-1; E. Kelly 0-8 (0-4 frees) D. Bennett 0-5 frees; J. Mullane 0-4; P. Flynn, S. Prendergast, M. Walsh 0-1. Clare: T. Griffin 1-0; N. Gilligan 0-4 (0-1 free); F. Lohan 0-3; C. Lynch 0-1.

WATERFORD: S. Brenner; E. Murphy, T. Feeney, J. Murray; T. Browne, K. McGrath, B. Phelan; D. Bennett, E. Kelly; D. Shanahan, M. Walsh, P. Flynn; J. Mullane, S. Prendergast, E. McGrath.

Subs: P. O'Brien for Flynn (58th minute); S. Ryan for E. McGrath (65th); A. Moloney for Prendergast (68th).

CLARE: D. Fitzgerald; B. Quinn, B. Lohan, B. O'Connell; G. Quinn, S. McMahon (capt.), C. Plunkett; T. Griffin, C. Lynch, A. Markham; N. Gilligan, F. Lohan, D. Forde.

Subs: A.. Carmody for Baker (21st minute); D. Hoey for O'Connell (26th); J. O'Connor for Markham (41st); D. O'Connell for O'Connor (46th); C. Forde for Quinn (60th).

Referee: G. Harrington (Cork)

Attendance: 24,646.