Captain Brennan inspires Clare in replay win

 

Clare 3-11 Waterford 0-12

CLARE secured a place in next Sunday’s Munster semi-final following a comprehensive win over Waterford in the teams quarter-final replay.

Second half goals from Shane Brennan and Rory Donnelly sealed the win. They were very much on top during the second period where they were inspired by Gary Brennan who played superbly at midfield.

They will now play Kerry next Sunday in Cusack Park at 3.30pm.

Clare started very slowly and in fact they trailed 0-4 to 0-0 after eleven minutes. However Waterford were dealt a savage blow in the second minute when midfielder Shane Aherne was black carded following a tackle on Martin McMahon. To make matters worse for Waterford his midfield colleague Tommy Prendergast was black carded three minutes before half time.

Paul Whyte kicked three of Waterford’s first half points, two from play, while JJ Hutchinson kicked the remaining three from open play. Shane McGrath was in excellent first half form for Clare, kicking three points, while Seán Collins landed a brace. However it was Gary Brennan’s 24^th minute goal which was the first halves crucial score. The Clare captain was put through by a perceptive and perfectly delivered pass from Shane Hickey.

However, Brennan’s younger brother, Shane should have goaled in the 18^th minute but Oran Keevers cleared off the line.

Clare went on to completely dominate the second half though and secured their first Munster championship win over Waterford since 2007.

Clare: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Dean Ryan (Éire Óg), Kevin Hartnett (Meelick), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane); Shane Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Gordon Kelly (Miltown), Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg); Gary Brennan (Clondegad – captain), Kevin Hartnett (Meelick); Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis), Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Seán Collins (Cratloe); Martin O’Leary (Kilmihil), Shane Brennan (Clondegad), David Tubridy (Doonbeg).

Subs: Jamie Malone (Corofin) for Barry Hartnett (25), Rory Donnelly (Cooraclare) for Enda Coughlan (46), Eoin Cleary (Miltown) for David Tubridy (47), Laurence Healy (Ennistymon) for Martin McMahon (63), Podge McMahon (Clondegad) for Sean Collins (63).

Scorers: Gary Brennan 1-2, Shane McGrath, Sean Collins 0-3 each, Shane Brennan, Rory Donnelly 1-0 each, David Tubridy, Jamie Malone, Ciaran Russell 0-1 each.

Waterford: Stephen Enright; Dean Crowley, Thomas O’Gorman, Maurice O’Gorman; Conor Phelan, Shane Briggs (captain), Oran Keevers; Shane Aherne, Tommy Prendergast; Michael O’Gorman, Liam O’Lonáin, Tadhg O’hUallacháin; Brian Wall, Paul Whyte, JJ Hutchinson.

Subs: Wayne Hutchinson for Shane Aherne (2- black card), Declan Allen for Tommy Prendergast (32 – black card),

Scorers: Paul Whyte (0-5, 0-4f), JJ Hutchinson 0-4, Liam O’Lonan 0-2, Declan Allen.

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois).

Peter O’Connell