Clare move top after win over Waterford

Waterford 2-10 Clare 3-14

Clare moved to the top of the NHL Division 1A pile tonight after their three-goal defeat of a valiant Waterford side in Dungarvan.

Having taken the scalp of heavyweights Kilkenny last weekend, Anthony Daly's men conquered the Munster champions to book their place in the second phase of the league competition.

A 30th-minute goal from Niall Gilligan - who notched twelve points against the Cats six days ago - saw Clare move 1-07 to 0-07 in front.

Daly had earlier come to blows to Waterford boss Justin McCarthy on the sidelines, exchanging pushes with his Deise counterpart and he was clearly fuming again after a 1-02 haul from Paul Flynn late in the first half, saw the home side lead 1-09 to 1-09 at the interval.

Flynn's well-struck penalty three minutes after the restart - for a foul on Dan Shanahan - pushed McCarthy's men 2-09 to 1-08 in front but strangely scored just one more point in the entire match.

A Flynn free was dwarfed by subsequent goals from Tony Griffin and substitute Daithi O'Connell as the Banner men went on the charge.

Gilligan, Tony Griffin and Seanie McMahon tagged on points as Daly's men rounded off a searing second half comeback.