Clare clinch minor hurling last-four spot with win over Galway
Clare 2-21 Galway 2-13
An eight-point victory didn't flatter Clare, as they got their second knockout win in eight days to reach the last four of the All Ireland Minor Hurling Championship.
Despite falling four behind 90 seconds into the second period, this Clare side expertly turned the tide and defended quite well, to limit Galway to just a point for the remainder.
Powered on by the likes of Dara Kennedy and Jack O'Halloran in defence, the class of Ian O'Brien, Liam Murphy and sharpshooter Paul Rodgers pushed them past the winning post with something to spare.
Galway, for their part, contributed to a decent contest, and it certainly was a game when they played, wind assisted in the opening half. Having lost the Leinster final, this was their road back but the Banner bump sees them dumped out.
A fine start by Kenneth Burkes charges saw Galway lead 0-5 to 0-2 early on with Gus Lohan and Ronan Cahalan making some early contributions in attack. However, Clare, who finished third in Munster, were able to get back level when a piledriver from Rory Ralph saw the first green flag after 13 minutes.
Clare really had momentum and O'Brien added two points, one after a smart Cathal Mannion save. Galway needed something and a surge before half-time got them back in front.
First a Jack Shaughnessy free was cancelled out by a beautiful Paul Rodgers sideline cut. But next, a Galway goal.
Superb vision from Tadgh Mac Cártaigh found Cahalan in acres of space, allowing him to rattle the net. Frees at either end late in the half meant Galway led 1-12 to 1-11 at half-time.
A penalty from the first play of the second period went to Galway. Shaughnessy saw it saved but sharp to the rebound was Mac Cártaigh who found a way past Leon Talty. This could have kick started Galway's challenge.
However, Clare shrugged it off and were within a point on 48 minutes, as Ben Talty clipped over. They went ahead through a goal from Liam Murphy who danced past his man.
The same man got two of the final six points to set up an exciting looking last four clash with the Rebels, next weekend.
Galway's failure to score a point from play in the second half will show possibly how short they fell, but Cahalan and Cillian Roche were denied late consolation goals by the post and keeper, respectfully.
Scorers for Clare: Paul Rodgers 0-11 (0-6f, 0-1 s/l); Liam Murphy 1-3; Ian O'Brien 0-4; Dara Kennedy 0-1; Ben Talty 0-1; John Barry (free) 0-1.
Scorers for Galway: Ronan Cahalan 1-2; Tadhg Mac Cártaigh 1-2; Cillian Roche 0-3 (2f); Jacl Shaughnessy 0-3 (2f); Gus Lohan 0-2; Mikey Maher 0-1.
Clare: Leon Talty; Niall Doyle, Jack O'Halloran, Zak Phelan; Evan Crimmins, Dara Kennedy, Colm Daly; Graham Ball (C), Evan Cleary; Rory Ralph, James O'Donnell, Ben Talty; Ian O'Brien, Paul Rodgers, Liam Murphy.
Subs: Eoin O'Connor for Murphy (blood 28 -30); John Barry for Ralph (45), Sean Connellan for O'Donnell (50), Eoin O'Connor for Talty (57); Darragh Murrihy for Daly (57); Jake Gibbons for Rodgers (inj – 60); Cormac Gunning for Kennedy (blood – 60 – ft).
Galway: Cathal Mannion; Lee Murphy, Aodhán McDonagh, Robert Burke; Mikey Maher, Shay Brady, Dara Zimmerer; Seán Moran (Capt), Cian Hannon; Gus Lohan, Jack Shaughnessy, Ronan Cahalan; Tadhg McCárthaigh, Cillian Roche, Ethan Coleman.
Subs: Stephen Keane for Lohan (45); Jody Canning for Hannon (49), Senan Coen for Maher (51); Shay Glennon for Brady (54); Cian O'Loughlin for Coleman (60).
Referee: Nicky Barry (Waterford).
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