McGrath’s hat trick too much for Tipperary

By Seamus Hayes

Clare 4-15 Tipperary 0-20

Clare’s ability to get through for goals helped them to a comfortable win over Tipperary in this round three Allianz hurling league tie played before an attendance of 8,133.

Full forward Conor McGrath hit three, the first after ten minutes putting his side five clear. Tipperary had the margin down to a three points when McGrath hit for a second and this was quickly followed by a John Conlon goal which left Clare 3-7 to 0-8 ahead at half time.

Ten minutes before the break, Clare lost Darach Honan to injury and this led to the introduction of Podge Collins who went onto play a key part in the win.

Tipperary put on the pressure after the break and they outscored Clare 0-6 to 0-1 in the first fifteen minutes of the new half.

At the mid point of the half, McGrath struck for his third and Clare’s fourth goal and while Tipperary battled on, Clare remained in control and deservingly captured the spoils to move to move to the top of the league table with two home games remaining.

Tipperary did create a few goal chances but Clare goalkeeper Donal Tuohy produced two outstanding saves in that second half

Scorers; Clare;

C. McGrath (3-1); J. Conlon (1-3); Colin Ryan (0-4) P. Duggan (0-2) P. Donnellan, C. Galvin, D. Honan, T. Kelly, S. Morey (0-1) each;

Tipperary;–

J. O’Dwyer (0-7); J. Forde, J. Woodlock, S. Bourke, C. Kenny (0-2) each S. McGrath, K. Bergin, P. Murphy, N. McGrath, M. Heffernan (0-1 each

;

Clare

;–Donal Tuohy; Seadna Mlorey, Cian Dillon, David McInerney; Brendan Bugler, Conor Ryan, Pat O’Connor; Pat Donnellan, Colm Galvin; John Conlon, Peter Duggan, Colin Ryan; Darach Honan, Conor McGrath, Cathal O’Connell

Subs;

—Podge Collins for Honan (inj.26 minutes); Tony Kelly for Galvin (50 mins) Shane O’Donnell for O’Connell ( 51 minutes); Cathal McInerney for Duggan (65 minutes) Paul Flanagan for Morey (69 minutes);

Tipperary

;–Darren Gleeson; Paddy Stapleton, Tom Stapleton, Cathal Barrett; Shane McGrath, Thomas Hamill, Michael Cahill; Brendan Maher, James Woodlock; Kieran Bergin, Noel McGrath, Paddy Murphy; Jason Forde, Johnnie O’Dwyer, Shane Bourke

Subs;–

Conor O’Mahoney for Hamill (34 minutes); Denis Maher for Murphy (40 minutes); Conor Kenny for Burke (56 minuts) Michael Heffernan for Bergin (61 minutes); Ronan Maher for forde (63 minutes)

Referee;–James Owens, Wexford;