O’Connell on form for Clare

CLARE had six points to spare over neighbours Galway in a senior hurling challenge to mark the opening of a new pitch at Pairc Uí h-Aonghusa, Clooney-Quin last night.

Galway had goals from Aengus Callinan and Adrian Cullinane in the 10th and 11th minutes but an in-form Nick O’Connell helped the hosts to a 0-16 to 2-8 lead at the break. Both managers utilised their benches in the second-half and local star Fergal Lynch grabbed Clare’s first goal. But Galway’s James Regan silenced the home support with a fine goal moments later. Clare finished in style with Jonathan Clancy hitting their second goal.

Scorers for Clare: N O’Connell (0-8, (4f, 1 65), D McMahon (1-1), J Conlon (0-4), F Lynch (1-0), D Honan (0-3), C Ryan (0-3) (3fs), B Bugler, P O’Connor, J Clancy, E Glynn, P Donnellan (f), C McInerney each.

Scorers for Galway: A Harte (1-4, (3f), D Burke (0-5, all frees), A Callinan (1-1), J Regan (1-0), J Gantly (0-3), K Hynes (0-2), N Cahalan (0-1).

CLARE: P Brennan; P Vaughan, C Dillon, E Glynn; J McInerney, B Bugler, P Donnellan; N O’Connell, M Earley; J Conlan, F Lynch, C O’Donovan; D Honan, D McMahon, C McInerney.

Subs: C Chaplin for Vaughan, P O’Connor for Donnellan, L Markham for Earley, J Clancy for O’Donovan, C Ryan for Honan, D Tuohy for Brennan (all half-time), G Quinn for O’Connell (55).

GALWAY: J Skehill; D Joyce, J Lee, GO’Halloran; A Smith, A Cullinane, N Donoghue; N Calahan, D Burke; J Regan, K Hynes, C Donnellan; A Callanan, J Gantly, A Harte.

Subs: E Goode for Skehill, B Hanley forDonnellan, K Burke for Callinan (all half-time).

Referee: S McMahon (Clare).