GAA: Allianz National Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final
Clare1-24
Tipperary2-13
Report: Shane Brophy at Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
Tipperary’s wait for a National Hurling League title goes on as they were well-beaten by Clare in this semi-final on Sunday.
Manager Liam Cahill made seven changes to the side that defeated Antrim in their final group game with Darragh Stakelum making his first start at senior level.
Barry Hogan was recalled between the posts with Conor Bowe coming back into the half-back line. Willie Connors returned after missing three games while in attack there were starts for Gearoid O’Connor, Dan McCormack, and Patrick Maher.
The Premier were very slow out of the traps and were eight points down by the time Jason Forde opened their account in the twelfth minute from a free, however, while the corner forward scored five in the half, he also missed three frees and was replaced on them by Gearoid O’Connor who missed his first two efforts.
One of the few pieces of positive play from Tipp led to Jake Morris’ goal on sixteen minutes following a pinpoint pass by Dan McCormack, 0-9 to 1-3. However, Tipp gave up the score almost immediately as David Fitzgerald brought down the puckout and drove towards goal before blasting to the corner of the net.
Tipp trailed 1-14 to 1-5 but finished the half well with points from McCormack and Morris to give them some momentum for the second half.
Sean Hayes and Alan Tynan were sent into the fray at half time as Hayes made an immediate impact finishing a Conor Bowe surge and pass to the net within fourteen seconds of the restart.
Finally, there was an energy to Tipp’s play as Forde, Tynan, Willie Connors and sub Sean Kenneally all pointed as they cut the gap to two on 45 minutes but they only would score twice for the remainder, from Morris and a Sean Ryan free.
Tipp finished with nineteen wides, an incredible nine missed frees from four different strikers which summed up their day with eight coming from Jason Forde alone, something you wouldn’t associate with him.
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: David Fitzgerald (Clare)
SCORERS – Clare: Aidan McCarthy 0-8 (6 frees, 1 65); David Fitzgerald 1-3; Mark Rodgers (frees), David Reidy 0-3 each; Keith Smyth 0-2; Adam Hogan, Diarmuid Ryan, Cian Galvin, Darragh Lohan, Cathal Malone 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Jason Forde 0-6 (5 frees); Jake Morris 1-2; Sean Hayes 1-0; Dan McCormack, Willie Connors, Alan Tynan, Sean Kenneally, Sean Ryan (free) 0-1 each.
TEAMS – Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Conor Leen, Conor Cleary, Adam Hogan; Diarmuid Ryan, Cian Galvin, John Conlon; Cathal Malone, Darragh Lohan; David Fitzgerald, David Reidy, Peter Duggan; Keith Smith, Ian Galvin, Mark Rodgers.
Aidan McCarthy for Rodgers (19 inj); Seadna Morey for Lohan (47-54 blood); Shane Meehan for Smyth (52); Seadna Morey for Conlon (57); Sean Rynne for I Galvin (63); Rory Hayes for Hogan (65); Patrick Crotty for Reidy (70+2).
Tipperary: Barry Hogan (Kiladangan); Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Michael Breen (Ballina); Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh), Robert Byrne (Portroe), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill); Willie Connors (Kiladangan), Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy); Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy), Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields); Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og), Patrick Maher (Lorrha), Jason Forde (Silvermines).
Subs: Sean Hayes (Kiladangan) for P Maher (HT); Alan Tynan (Roscrea) for D Stakelum (HT); Sean Kenneally (Moneygall) for C Stakelum (43); Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers) for Bowe (55); Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons) for O’Connor (61).
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)
