Wasteful Waterford rue misses as Clare power to first win of U20 campaign

SEEING YELLOW: Deise selector Tony Browne was cautioned by referee Conor Doyle. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Waterford Munster U20 HC: Clare 2-18 Waterford 0-17 

Goals in either half from Fred Hegarty and James Organ fired Clare to their first win of the Munster Under 20 championship on a bright and breezy Wednesday evening in Dungarvan. The scoreline slightly flattered the visitors as Ken McGrath's Waterford missed six frees over the hour including four in the second half.

With ten minutes to go, all the momentum was with the home team. Mark Hartley had a chance to equalise but dragged his free off target. That seemed to deflate the Déise as Clare struck 1-4 without reply. James Organ's opportunistic goal five minutes from the end sealed a hard-fought victory.

Banner free taker Fred Hegarty was cleared to play following his straight red card against Cork. He delivered 1-7 from dead balls including a penalty in first-half injury time. Diarmuid Stritch, scorer of four points last week, missed out due to concussion.

Both sides struggled to rise the ball on a bumpy surface. Two points from play by speedy centre forward Michael Collins gave the visitors a 4-1 advantage after 12 minutes. Waterford corner man Ben O'Sullivan then saw a shot smothered by Clare netminder Mark Sheedy. 

On the quarter hour mark, Déise number one Alex Reade made an even better save. Jack O'Neill's shot seemed destined for the top corner before the Ballyduff Lower shot stopper dived to his right and deflected it away. Off the counter attack, Mark Hartley converted a free. A Jack Twomey point and another Hartley free levelled it up at four apiece.

Four Fred Hegarty frees saw the away team regain the lead. Déise selector Tony Browne was yellow carded by referee Conor Doyle in the 23rd minute.

Waterford registered eight first-half wides with the wind but enjoyed a purple patch approaching the break. Full forward Hartley got out in front and shot two from play. Twomey struck the score of the half off his left side in front of the stand as the hosts edged 0-9 to 0-8 ahead. In the first minute of injury time, Hegarty turned Fiacra Cooney and headed for goal before the Waterford defender brought him to ground. Doyle issued a black card and signalled a Clare penalty. Hegarty fired it home as the Banner hit the dressing rooms two up (1-8 to 0-9).

Clare extended their lead on the restart with a long-range point from wing back Eoin McMahon. Waterford missed three scoreable frees in the third quarter (two from Hartley and one from Michael Morrissey). Mark Sheedy saved again from Ben O'Sullivan. Hartley regained his composure with two conversions. An inspirational score from Déise captain Aaron O'Neill left them just one adrift (1-11 to 0-13). 

Corner back Daniel Lalor then drove forward with a ball and won a free that lifted the crowd. Hartley missed however. Jack O'Neill popped over two points at the other end. With five minutes left, Lalor was blocked down off a short puckout and James Organ pounced. The Corofin attacker blasted past Reade and buried Waterford.

Scorers for Waterford: M Hartley 0-9 (7fs), J Twomey 0-3, C Tobin 0-2, P Cummins, A O'Neill, G Power 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: F Hegarty 1-7 (7fs, 1-0 pen), J Organ 1-0, M Collins, J O'Neill 0-3 each, L Crotty, J Moylan, R Kilroy, E McMahon, S Boyce 0-1 each.

Waterford: A Reade (Ballyduff Lower); D Lalor (De La Salle), F Cooney (Ballygunner), C Keane (De La Salle); J McDonnell (Tallow), A O'Neill (Ballygunner), C Ryan (Brickey Rangers); E Spelman (Fourmilewater), S Mackey (Fenor); C Deevey (Brickey Rangers), J Twomey (De La Salle), G Power (Clonea); M Morrissey (Fourmilewater), M Hartley (Ballygunner), B O'Sullivan (Lismore).

Subs: P Cummins (Brickey Rangers) for Deevey (38), C Tobin (Ballygunner) for Power (46), P Walsh (Fourmilewater) for Morrissey (55), C O'Sullivan (Ballygunner) for Lalor (57), J O'Keeffe (Lismore) for Spelman (57).

Clare: M Sheedy (Sixmilebridge); E Gunning (Broadford), F Treacy (Éire Óg), J Cahill (Clooney/Quin); J Moylan (Cratloe), J Hegarty (Inagh/Kilnamona), E McMahon (St Joseph's Doora Barefield); J Casey (Kilmaley), M O'Halloran (Sixmilebridge); J Organ (Corofin), M Collins (Clonlara), R Kilroy (Banner); J O'Neill (Clooney/Quin), F Hegarty (Inagh/Kilnamona), S Boyce (O'Callaghan's Mills).

Subs: L Crotty (Scariff) for Gunning (Blood, 43), D Costelloe (Ballyea) for Crotty (48), L Crotty (Scariff) for Boyce (50), F Lyons

(Ruan) for F Hegarty (57), T Lohan (Cratloe) for Kilroy (61), P Ó Sé (Ruan) for O'Halloran (62).

Referee:

C Doyle (Tipperary)