Tactical change works well as Bannermen get Cork’s measure

Clare 2-15 Cork 3-9

That was the end of the home hospitality however, as Clare, after a shaky opening half, continued their winning run in this year’s League by beating a weakened Cork side. Before a ball was struck, the visitors lost the services of three of their selected forwards through injury - Niall McCarthy, Joe Deane and Neil Ronan - but in a first-half of exceptional hurling, Cork made light of those losses and looked every inch All-Ireland champions. They were 2-5 to 1-4 ahead in the 26th minute thanks to good goals from Ben O’Connor and Tom Kenny.

Both came after intelligent puck-outs by Donal Óg Cusack into the stiff wind, a tactic which caused Clare immense problems in the opening half. The tactic didn’t always work out, with Clare’s first goal coming after wing-back Gerry Quinn caught one such Cork puck-out. His clearance was gathered by corner-forward Andrew Quinn, who goaled.