Clare outgun Waterford in rip-roaring 60-score Munster SHC clash

Clare held off a late Waterford fightback to claim the two points. Despite holding healthy leads in the second half, it was never comfortable for the Banner. 

Shane O'Donnell was a late addition to the Clare starting team against Waterford in the Munster SHC. He scored 0-4. Pic: ©INPHO/Natasha Barton

Munster SHC: Clare 2-33 Waterford 4-21 

Welcome back. Clare kicked off the 2026 Munster championship with a rip-roaring victory over Waterford in a game that included an eye-watering 60 scores. A rapid-fire game roars on.

Shane Meehan finished it in style with a smashed finish after collecting from Ian Galvin. The final whistle sounded seconds later. Finally, Clare could breathe easily. Despite the six-point margin and stretches of dominance, at no point here were they comfortable.

Stephen Bennett hit a remarkable 3-12 to charge the visitors' challenge. They cut through the Clare defence repeatedly. Even late on, Patrick Curran had another goal chance denied. This new format affords teams the window to improve and in this regard they have work to do.

The extent to which Ennis was primed for championship was unmistakable. All over town there was clear evidence of it. A huge roar rose from the Northern Terrace when it was announced that Shane O’Donnell would start. Even the weather played its part with the sun baking Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg. The pre-match entertainment struck the right note with their opening track: My Favourite Game.

Clare’s half-time lead was hard-earned. It was 0-15 to 2-8 with a late Mark Rodgers free ensuring the home side had a slight advantage. The story of this game was long ball yielding rewards.

Stephen Bennett soared and with the benefit of advantage, swung twice before he beat Éibhear Quilligan. Seán Walsh was brought down by Niall O’Farrell for a penalty. Bennett found the net once again. Their third goal and his hat-trick was the result of a booming free from the terrific Billy Nolan.

Meanwhile, Brian Lohan sent Peter Duggan to the square with O’Donnell and Mark Rodgers feeding off him. Duggan linked up with Rodgers for a brilliant goal at the start of the second half but Waterford refused to yield.

After conceding six in a row, Jamie Barron swung back. Dessie Hutchinson fed Calum Lyons who laid off to Sean Walsh to instigate another fightback. A sense of panic turned to exhilaration when Meehan produced the last green flag.

Scorers for Clare: M. Rodgers 0-11 (1 65, 10 frees); S. Rynne 0-5; T. Kelly 0-4, S. O’Donnell 0-4; P. Duggan 1-1; D. Stritch 0-3; S. Meehan 1-0; D. Ryan, D. Lohan 0-2 each; R. Taylor 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: S. Bennett 3-12 (1-0 pen, 0-12 frees); D. Hutchinson 0-4; S. Walsh 1-0; A. Gleeson 0-2; J. Barron 0-2; P. Hogan 0-1.

CLARE: E. Quilligan; R. Hayes, C. Cleary, A. Hogan; D. Ryan, N. O’Farrell, C. Malone; D. Lohan, R. Taylor; T. Kelly, D. Reidy, S. Rynne; M. Rodgers, P. Duggan, S. O’Donnell.

Subs: C. Leen for Hogan (22-27, Temp); D. Stritch for Reidy (50); C. Leen for Hayes (57); S. Meehan for O’Donnell (62), I. Galvin for Rynne (66).

WATERFORD: B. Nolan; M. Fitzgerald, I. Kenny, A. O’Neill; J. Fagan, P. Leavey, S. Bennett; D. Lyons, C. Lyons; J. Prendergast, J. Barron, M. Kiely; S. Walsh, S. Bennett, D. Hutchinson.

Subs: P. Hogan for S. Bennett (40); A. Gleeson for Kiely (47); K. Mahony for D. Lyons (53); P. Curran for Barron (67); R. Kilroy for Hogan (68).

Referee: S. Hynes (Galway).