Waterford under-20s stage stunning second-half comeback to topple Clare

Even late black cards, to Keating and Adam Murray, couldn’t spoil a famous win. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Waterford 4-12 Clare 2-15  

A four-goal second half burst, against the elements, inspired Waterford, who finished with 13 men, to a stunning comeback victory over hosts Clare after a rip-roaringly entertaining Munster U-20 FC (Phase One Round One) encounter at a windy Doonbeg.

Despite leading by three points at half-time (0-8 to 0-5), the Déise youngsters looked in big trouble five minutes into the resumption, with the Banner striking for a brace of green flags – Colin Riordan and Darragh Killeen with the fisted finishes.

By the 43rd minute, when Clare’s towering midfielder Sean Fennell lofted over a magnificent two-pointer off the right peg, the home team looked in complete control (2-9 to 0-9). 

Luke Pyne, Sean MacAllister and the excellent Daire Culligan were in dominant form.

However, against all odds, Waterford just would not lie down and admit defeat. 

It was soon their turn to find the net on the double, with full-forward Conor Keating showing his predatory instincts with two very composed and confident bullets to the Clare net.

The visitors now had the bit between their collective teeth and, with renewed self-belief, the third Waterford goal arrived in the 49th minute. 

On this occasion, a speculative long delivery caused a mix-up in the Clare defence, and Paddy McCarthy tapped home from close range (3-9 to 2-10).

Clare were now completely at sixes and sevens. Indeed, three white flags on the bounce for Waterford, top scorer Joe Brennan (2) and Diarmuid Mackle on the mark, put the Déise five to the good (3-12 to 2-10).

The Banner regathered themselves, and four unanswered points narrowed the deficit to the minimum. However, Waterford had another sting in the tail, centre-back Fergal O’Brien chipping Eoin Byrne for the killer fourth goal. 

Even late black cards, to Keating and Adam Murray, couldn’t spoil a famous win.

Scorers for Waterford: J Brennan 0-7 (2f, 2 Tpf), P McCarthy 1-3 (1m, 2f), C Keating 2-0, F O’Brien 1-0, A Murray, D Mackle 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: D Culligan 0-5 (1f), C Riordan 1-2, D Killeen 1-1, S Fennell 0-4 (1Tp, 1f), C Fennell(f), D McMahon, L Pyne 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: S Burns (Dunhill); M McMaugh (The Nire), J Foley (Affane Cappoquin Tourin), C Kiely (Portlaw); D Jacob (St Saviours), F O’Brien (Gaultier), B Boland (St Saviours); C MacCathmhaoil (Ferrybank), K Moloney (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg); D Mackle (Abbeyside Ballinacourty), A Murray (Rathgormack), D Cooney (Gaultier); J Brennan (Tramore), C Keating (Kilmacthomas), P McCarthy (Brickey Rangers).

Subs: K Flynn (Gaultier) for Cooney (46), C Sloan (Gaultier) for MacCathmhaoil (48), D Murphy (Fenor) for Moloney (58).

CLARE: E Byrne (St Breckan’s); C Hill (Lissycasey), D Hill (Lissycasey), M Kelly (Lissycasey); E Wragg (Lissycasey), S McAllister (Clondegad), L Pyne (Éire Óg Ennis); E Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane), S Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks); O O’Connell (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), D Killeen (Lissycasey), D Culligan (Lissycasey); S McMahon (Banner), C Riordan (Wolfe Tones na Sionna), C Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks).

Subs: D McMahon (Lissycasey) for O’Connell (38), C Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for C Fennell (46), S Conneally (Ennistymon) for Wragg (50), C Hannon (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield) for Pyne (60+1).

Referee: E Ó Muircheartaigh (Kerry).