Munster MFC: Thomas Dillon fires Clare to Daryl D’Arcy Cup with victory over Waterford

Thomas Dillon's two second half goals proved decisive as Clare overcame Waterford in Lemybrien

The Clare team which defeated Waterford in the Munster MFC. Pic: Clare GAA

Munster MFC phase 2: Waterford 0-08 (0-1-6) Clare 2-08 (2-0-8)

Two second half goals from Thomas Dillon proved crucial as Clare deservedly left Lemybrien with the Daryl D’Arcy Cup.

The game hung in the balance before a four-minute burst from the Doonbeg man turned the tide in the Banner’s favour.

The sides were level at the break after a tight and tense opening period given ambitions of progression and winning the cup were on the line at Páirc Naomh Bríd.

After a spate of wides from both counties, Waterford nearly struck for goal on five minutes. Charlie Smyth broke through and squared to Charlie Kelly but Conor Griffin made a superb stop to prevent the Déise opening the scoring in style.

Fourteen minutes ultimately passed before anyone struck oil, but it was Clare who did so as a long ball was gratefully grasped by Liam Keane and the Lissycasey man swivelled to split the posts with ease. Waterford levelled on 19 minutes, Caolan Johnston broke through and played it to Aidan McMaugh and he swept over with ease, but a patient move was capped off by Robbie Kelly at the other end as the Banner bit back.

A Dara Gough free again brought about parity, however an impressive instant response from Clare captain Shane Cahill sparked the game into life. Approaching the break, the visitors were dominant but failing to work the scoreboard - and the Déise levelled with their last move of the half, Anthony O’Donnell surging through and setting up McMaugh, the Nire man made no mistake and it was 0-3 apiece at the interval.

Waterford were hoping for a fourth win in five and a double over Clare following their earlier success in Quilty, and a stunning two-point effort off the left flank from Liam O’Grady quickly gave added momentum to those ambitions. Dillon soon reduced arrears to one, but Dara Gough struck another free as the hosts established control.

Gough teed up Charlie Kelly as a lively home crowd grew stronger in voice, but a fisted effort from substitute Michael Normoyle kept the Déise on their toes. On 43 minutes, the visitors suddenly found themselves ahead.

A very well worked switch to the right flank allowed Dillon to weave his way towards goal, and he fired hard and low under Jack Sheehan to make it 1-5 to 0-7 in the Banner’s favour.

Route one was working the oracle for Clare, and Dillon in particular, as the forward struck for goal number two three minutes later. A beautiful pass from Cahill landed perfectly for Dillon to twist and turn and once again provide the finishing touch.

Waterford needed a goal of their own, and as a Charlie Smyth strike flashed wide of goal at one end, an unmarked Cahill split the posts with ease at the other. Ronan Kirwan saw an effort blocked off the line as the Déise huffed and puffed, but Clare were unforgiving as Cahill burst through for another.

Dillon brought his tally to 2-2 from a free, as fatigue began to show for Waterford. An Anthony O’Donnell strike proved consolatory, as Dillon’s goals were definitively the difference.

Scorers for Waterford: D Gough (0-2; 0-2f); A McMaugh (0-2); L O’Grady (0-2; 1tp); C Kelly and A O’Donnell (0-1 each)

Scorers for Clare: T Dillon (2-2; 0-1f); S Cahill (0-3); L Keane, R Kelly and M Normoyle (0-1 each) 

WATERFORD: J Sheehan (Kilgobinet); A McManus (Tramore), J Skehan (Rathgormack), S Healy (Geraldines); C Johnston (Gaultier), A O’Donnell (Brickey Rangers), L O’Grady (Gaultier); C Kelly (Geraldines), T Walsh (The Nire); E Bloomer (Gaultier), A McMaugh (The Nire), R Kirwan (Rathgormack); D Gough (Stradbally), C Smyth (Tramore), S Masterson (Ballyduff Lower) 

Subs: D Hutchinson (Gaultier) for Masterson (45); R Hallahan (Dungarvan) for Kelly (45); A Reddin (De La Salle) for Walsh (50); J Casey (Stradbally) for Bloomer (59); F Murray (Abbeyside / Ballinacourty) for McMaugh (59) 

CLARE: C Griffin (Ennistymon); G Browne (Cooraclare), S Neenan (Kildysart), T O’Loughlin (St Breckans); J Greene (Corofin), C Killeen (Lissycasey), S O Neill (Éire Og); S Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane), P Neylon (Shannon Gaels); R Cotter (Kilrush Shamrocks), T Bane (The Banner), T Dillon (Doonbeg); Robbie Kelly (Kildysart), L Keane (Lissycasey), S O’Callaghan (St Joseph’s Doora / Barefield) 

Subs: M Normoyle (St Breckans) for O’Callaghan (36); Z O’Shea (Doonbeg) for Bane (42); D Fitzpatrick (St Breckans) for Neylon (45); R Brody (Ennistymon) for Cotter (55); E Soffe (Kilrush Shamrocks) for Killeen (59) 

Referee: C Murphy (Cork)