Tipperary 5-22 Clare 3-23
A first championship win in almost two years has kickstarted the Liam Cahill era, as Tipperary got the better of Clare in a high-scoring shootout at Cusack Park, Ennis this afternoon in the opening round of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship.
Tipperary’s last victory in the championship was recorded against the same opponents in the Munster semi-final way back on July 4 2021, and the importance of this five-points win cannot be overstated as Tipp set their sights on progression from Munster towards the All-Ireland championship.
It wasn’t vintage fare by any means but that won’t concern Tipp, who did well to hold a typically determined effort by the Banner at bay in front of an official attendance of 17,971.
Tipp were ahead by a goal seven minutes into the second half when Jake Morris, who was making a beeline for the goal, was hauled back by David McInerny, a transgression that earned the Clare defender a black card and a ten-minute spell in the sin bin.
It also resulted in a penalty that was driven low to the net by Jason Forde to make it 4-13 to 2-13.
Clare succeeded in trimming the deficit to four points by the time McInerny returned but they were unable to make any major inroads into the Tipp lead for the remainder of the game.
Sean Ryan’s introduction for Tipperary in the 63rd minute proved an inspired move by management; the Templederry player was only on the pitch for a matter of seconds when he shot his team’s fifth and decisive goal.
Clare battled hard to the finish but Tipp were in no mood to capitulate and surrender their hard-earned gains. Mark Kehoe, Sean Ryan, Seamus Kennedy, Conor Bowe and Jason Forde (from a free) all had points in the closing stages to seal the victory, while Clare had the consolation of a late goal from their best player Aidan McCarthy.
Jake Morris, who illustrated his predatory instincts with a considerable haul of 2-4; Jason Forde, Noel McGrath, Bryan O’Mara and Brian McGrath took the individual honours in a performance that will give Tipp great encouragement for their next game, another tricky away assignment against Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh the weekend after next on Saturday evening, May 6.
Tipp made an explosive start, racing into a six-point lead before Clare barely had time to settle.
Jake Morris, Noel McGrath and Brian McGrath had points inside the opening two minutes and when Jason Forde’s line ball went all the way to the net Tipp were ahead by 1-3 to no score with just three minutes and ten seconds gone on the clock.
Clare edged their way back into contention before they were hit with another body blow in the 17th minute when 'keeper Eamonn Froudy’s excursion from his goal was halted when he was mugged by Jake Morris, who tapped the ball into the empty goal.
Five minutes later, Clare shot themselves in the foot once more when their puckout broke down and Jake Morris drove home Tipperary’s third goal.
A point from Gearoid O’Connor after 28 minutes meant that Tipperary led by 10 points, the largest margin that had separated the sides in the opening half. Yet, by the time the half-time whistle sounded, that advantage had been whittled down to four.
Aidan McCarthy, Clare’s outstanding player in the first half, started the revival with a point before the Banner pounced for their first goal in the 33rd minute. It was a goal made and clinically executed by Mark Rodgers, who caught Tony Kelly’s delivery and turned sharply before firing low to the bottom corner of the net.
Jason Forde responded with a converted sideline ball but Clare’s dander was up. Diarmuid Ryan had a point before they carved open the Tipp defence with some ease for their second goal. Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers and Aidan McCarthy exchanged passes before the ball was returned to Rodgers, who made no mistake.
As play swung to the opposite end, Tipp had points from Jake Morris and Gearoid O’Connor, before Aidan McCarthy had the final say of the half from a free to leave it 3-12 to 2-11.
Tipperary: Barry Hogan, Cathal Barrett, Ronan Maher, Johnny Ryan, Brian McGrath (0-1), Bryan O’Mara, Michael Breen, Noel McGrath (captain (0-3), Alan Tynan (0-1), Dan McCormack, John McGrath (0-1), Seamus Kennedy (0-1), Jake Morris (2-4), Gearoid O’Connor (0-2), Jason Forde (2-6, 1-0 sideline, 1-0 penalty, 0-6 frees).
Substitutes: Conor Stakelum for Alan Tynan (46 minutes), Mark Kehoe (0-1) for John McGrath (59 minutes), Sean Ryan (1-1) for Gearoid O’Connor (63 minutes), Conor Bowe (0-1) for Noel McGrath (70 minutes), Enda Heffernan for Brian McGrath (70 minutes)
Clare: Eamonn Froudy, Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Paul Flanagan, Diarmuid Ryan (0-1), John Conlon (0-1), David McInerny, Tony Kelly (captain (0-1), Cathal Malone, Peter Duggan, Ryan Taylor (0-2), Aidan McCarthy (1-12, 0-9 frees), Ian Galvin (0-2), Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers (2-1).
Substitutes: Rory Hayes for Adam Hogan (45 minutes), Shane Meehan (0-2) for Ian Galvin (52 minutes), Aron Shanagher for Mark Rodgers (63 minutes), Robin Mounsey (0-1) for Ryan Taylor (67 minutes), Jack Kirwan for Peter Duggan (70 minutes).
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
