Clare use experience to overcome Waterford

Clare 1-16 Waterford 1-13

Clare came from behind to book their place in the Guinness All-Ireland Hurling final with a three points win over Waterford at Croke Park.

Alan Markham blasted home the first half goal which ignited the Banner challenge after Waterford had roared into a five points lead, and with Colin Lynch and Brian Lohan in superb form, they pressed home the advantage in the second half, using their experience of the big occasion to devastating effect.

"Waterford came out of the blocks like tigers, but I think the crucial period was the last 10 minutes before half-time, when we clawed our way back into it, and Alan Markham's goal was huge for us," said Clare attacker Jamesie O'Connor.

Waterford were quick off the mark, Eoin Kelly hitting two early points, before Paul Flynn and Ken McGrath floated over a long range efforts.

It took Clare some time to settle, and it was seasoned duo Tony Griffin Lynch who got them going with points.

Flynn continued to hit the target for a confident Waterford side which had won the Munster title for the first time since 1957, but midway through the half, Clare started to assert themselves.

Goalkeeper Stephen Brenner had to produce an excellent save to deny Lynch, and when Sean McMahon converted two 65s and Jamesie O'Connor added a point, just two points separated the sides.

Clare were rocked in the 28th minute, however, when Flynn blasted a free direct to the net for a 1-7 to 0-5 advantage.

Then Alan Markham took the situation into his own hands by firing home a goal and tagging on a point, before Clare took a 1-10 to 1-9 half-time lead, an advantage they were never to lose.

Two Tony Carmody points stretched the lead early in the second half, and while Flynn and Kelly did all they could to drag their side back into contention, they were to pay for their wastefulness, 18 wides to Clare's 10.

As Waterford became increasingly desperate, pressing forward in search of the goal they needed, they came up against a defiant Clare defence, with the Lohan brothers, Frank and Brian, repeatedly relieving the pressure with booming clearances.

Ollie Baker came in as a sub to fire over an inspirational point, and all Waterford could manage in the closing stages was an Andy Maloney point.