A dramatic fightback, including a sensational late winner from Tony Kelly, has seen Clare claim a one-point win in the Allianz Hurling League Final replay over Waterford.
The 1-23 to 2-19 victory gives the Banner a first League title since 1978, but only came after a dogged battle against a Waterford side who had found themselves in front for much of the action in Thurles.
Last week’s initial game brought no goals, but that changed in under 20 seconds today as Patrick Curran netted for the Deise with the game’s first shot. He also added a free to give Waterford an early four point lead.
However, Clare fought back with scores from Tony Kelly (2), Aaron Cunningham and Podge Collins while Conor McGrath then pointed a free after 15 minutes and the teams were level, 1-2 to 0-5.
The Cratloe man would then put his side into a brief lead, but Waterford would strike another blow when Patrick Curran pounced on a mistake in the Clare defence to set-up Jake Dillon for a second Deise goal.
This spurred a feast of scores from Derek McGrath’s men -Austin Gleeson and Shane Bennett scored fine scores as they went into a six-point lead after 25 minutes, 2-7 to 0-7.
Conor McGrath was to the fore in Clare’s fightback, although Waterford continued to chip scores onto the board, but a 34th minute McGrath point was the highlight for Clare in this part of the game, as the Banner reduced the half-time gap to three points, 2-9 to 0-12.
The teams exchanged points in the opening stages of the second half, with Clare unable to fully bridge the gap, and Waterford started to pull away through scores from Curran, Austin Gleeson and others.
However, Ballyea’s Tony Kelly gave a short in the arm to the Banner’s hopes on 48 minutes, when he picked up the sliotar and shot powerfully into the Waterford net, making it 2-15 to 1-15.
Darach Honan scored Clare’s next point, though Waterford pulled out a four point lead before Clare brought it back to one thanks to a Colin Ryan free, as well as scores from Tony Kelly and David Reidy.
Inside the last ten minutes now, Curran and then substitute Brian O’Halloran pointed for Waterford before Colin Ryan responded from play.
Waterford scored again, and with 69 minutes on the clock, Waterford led by two.
However, Darach Honan scored a great point from out wide, before Tony Kelly won a free on his own 65. He duly pointed it, bringing the scores level, and it looked like extra time was on the cards.
However, there would be late drama once more, and it was in Clare’s favour, as Kelly pounced on a late chance, with effectively the final puck of the game, to give Clare a 1-23 to 2-19 victory and a first League Championship since 1978.
