Clare reach back-to-back Munster finals for first time in 87 years with routine Waterford win

BACK-TO-BACK BANNERS: Clare’s Mark McInerney scores the first goal of the game. Pic Credit: Ryan Byrne, Inpho.

Munster SFC semi-final

Waterford 1-9

Clare 2-20

Clare made it back-to-back Munster finals for the first time since 1937 with a routine 14-point win over Waterford.

The victory, secured with goals from Emmet McMahon and Mark McInerney, also seals their place in the top 16 for the All-Ireland series. The Déise will now play in the Tailteann Cup.

There was a late change on either side. Ikem Ugweru replaced Daniel Walsh for Clare, who also handed first starts of the year to captain Cillian Brennan and Darragh Bohannon.

Seán Whelan-Barrett came in for Caolán Mac Craith in a Waterford side which had Liam Fennell and Dermot Ryan available again.

Clare were sufficiently forewarned of the dangers of Fraher Field. Five of their team experienced a shock under-20 defeat to Waterford here three years ago and they were sharp from the start.

A fine Jason Curry punt gave Waterford the first point but Clare quickly took over. They discouraged the underdogs with their efficient use of possession, converting eight of their first nine shots, and their aggressive kick-out press which yielded 1-4 in the first half.

They had seven in a row between the second and 13th minute, including a goal chance from a misplaced kick-out. Under pressure, Aaron Griffin (0-5) drove it over.

Dermot Coughlan, Bohannon, and McMahon kicked stylish points from all angles. When Whelan-Barrett hit back with a huge score, Ciarán Downes responded with two lovely curlers.

Waterford’s James Power dejected at halftime. Pic Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Defenders Robbie McGrath and Ross Browne also came forward to point for the hosts before McMahon killed them off with a rapid-fire 1-1. The goal was well created by corner-back Ronan Lanigan, who assisted 1-2, and finished by the Kildysart dynamo at the second attempt.

There was confusion at half-time as the referee and scoreboard had the tally 1-12 to 0-4 but the media had it at 1-11 to 0-4. After checking with his umpires, David Murnane corrected it to the latter.

Griffin palmed into the side-netting with Clare’s first attack. Despite that miss, they continued to stretch ahead and from a quick counter, Griffin squared for McInerney to punch home.

Waterford immediately hit back with goal-scoring hero Tom O’Connell fisting a high ball to the net. 2-13 to 1-5 now.

Cormac Murray had a goal ruled out for a marginal square-ball decision, while, at the other end, Curry had a shot scrambled off the line, Alan Dunwoody fluffed another chance wide, and Fennell shot straight at Stephen Ryan.

Scorers for Waterford: T O'Connell (1-1, 0-1 free); A Dunwoody (0-3, 2 frees); J Curry (0-2, 1 free); R Browne, R McGrath, S Whelan-Barrett (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clare: E McMahon (1-3, 0-1 free); M McInerney (1-2, 0-1 free); A Griffin (0-5); C Downes (0-4, 1 45); D Bohannon, D O'Donnell (0-2 each); G Murray, D Coughlan (0-1 each).

WATERFORD: P Hunt; R Browne, C Walsh, L Fennell; B O’Keeffe, D Ryan, R McGrath; M Curry, J Curry; S Whelan-Barrett, D Fitzgerald, W Beresford; S Curry, T O’Connell, J Power.

Subs: J Walsh for Fitzgerald (39), C Mac Craith for Beresford (43), A Dunwoody for Browne (47), B Hynes for McGrath (61), M O’Brien for J Curry (66).

CLARE: S Ryan; M Doherty, C Brennan, R Lanigan; A Sweeney, C Rouine, I Ugweru; B McNamara, D Bohannon; G Murray, D Coughlan, C Downes; M McInerney, A Griffin, E McMahon.

Subs: C Murray for G Murray (35-h-t, blood), C Murray for McMahon (46), J McGann for Bohannon (51), D O’Donnell for McInerney (55), C Burke for Sweeney (59), T McDonald for Coughlan (67).

Referee: D Murnane (Cork).