Red-hot McCarthy and Clare withstand late Cats fightback to end seven-year trophy drought
FLY THE FLAG: Clare's Conor Cleary lifts the trophy after the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Final at FBD Semple Stadium, Tipperary. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Aidan McCarthy shot 2-10 and Adam Hogan led from the back as Clare staved off a late Kilkenny fightback to claim a first Division 1 title in seven years.
Also a first piece of seasonal silverware for Brian Lohan, it was a deserving victory for The Banner who led by seven points midway through the second half.
Introduced at half-time, Shane O’Donnell marked his seasonal bow with a small part in Clare’s second goal less than two minutes into the second half. A one-two with David Reidy set up David Fitzgerald to push Clare four points clear.
They stretched that lead to six points by the 45th minute and to seven in the 54th minute when McCarthy netted a second time after a lovely lay-off by Fitzgerald who had put a quiet first half well and truly behind him.
Kilkenny sent over the next three points to slice the gap to four and after a short Clare rally cut it to three when Eoin Cody expertly found the corner of Eibhear Quilligan’s net in the 65th minute.
Cody had the chance to make it a one-point game when Mark Rodgers was black carded for striking across John Donnelly as he made his way towards the Clare goal. However, his strike was poor and Quilligan had time to negotiate it.
Points from Cian Kenny and substitute Martin Keoghan, hitting his fourth, made it a two-point game prior to McCarthy and Cody exchanging frees. Kilkenny attacked once more but nothing came of it as the excellent Hogan won another free out.
TJ Reid was a late cry-off with a suspected hamstring issue and his composure was missed in a Kilkenny attack that fluffed their lines too many times in the first half. The crosswind didn’t help but Adrian Mullen’s four wides were as much about execution and percentages as conditions.
For most of the first half, Kilkenny were given a great platform by their half-back line especially their wing-banks David Blanchfield and Richie Reid who were cancelling out Peter Duggan and in-form Fitzgerald respectively.
However, they weren’t making those victories tell on the scoreboard. Twice, Mullen made up with points for last-gasp blocks by Adam Hogan and Conor Leen on goalbound shots by Cody and himself, but nine points from 21 efforts was a paltry return.
The sides were level on four occasions in the opening period but Kilkenny undoubtedly had the edge in general play. When they scored four unanswered points between the 20th and 28th minutes to go three points up, it felt like a true reflection of the game.
However, they were punished for their profligacy later when Clare, having pulled back a point, struck for a 33rd-minute goal. Mark Rodgers was so nifty in teeing up Aidan McCarthy for a goal. He added a fourth free and Clare went in 1-8 to 0-9 ahead.
A. McCarthy (2-10, 0-9 frees); D. Fitzgerald (1-0); M Rodgers (0-2); D. Lohan, D. Ryan, I. Galvin, C. Malone (0-1 each).
E. Cody (1-4, 0-3 frees); M. Keoghan (0-4); A. Mullen (0-3); C. Kenny (0-2); B. Drennan (free), S. Murphy, B. Ryan, L. Blanchfield, R. Reid, J. Molloy, J. Donnelly (0-1 each).
E. Quilligan; A. Hogan, C. Cleary (c), C. Leen; D. Ryan, J. Conlon, C. Galvin; D. Lohan, C. Malone; D. Fitzgerald, D. Reidy, P. Duggan; M. Rodgers, I. Galvin, A. McCarthy.
S. O’Donnell for I. Galvin (h-t); A. Shanagher for D. Reidy (53); D. McInerney for C. Galvin (58); R. Hayes for C. Leen (60); S. Morey for D. Lohan (67).
M. Rodgers (68).
E. Murphy; H. Lawlor, S. Murphy, T. Walsh; D. Blanchfield, P. Deegan (c), R. Reid; C. Kenny, J. Molloy; A. Mullen, J. Donnelly, B. Ryan; L. Hogan, B. Drennan, E. Cody.
M. Keoghan for L. Hogan (30); T. Clifford for B. Drennan (45); K. Blanchfield for J Molloy (50); L. Blanchfield for B. Ryan (60).
J. Murphy (Limerick).
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