Clare 0-23
Cork 0-19
Eoin Brennan reports from Cusack Park
CLARE MAINTAINED THEIR impressive start to the Allianz National League following a merited victory over Cork in front of almost 5,000 supporters in Cusack Park, Ennis this afternoon.
The result appeared inevitable by half-time after Clare had totally blitzed their lacklustre opponents to open up an 11-point cushion. However, while Cork, backed by the aid of the conditions, did finish the stronger with six of the last seven points, the four-point final margin was as close as they would come to their hosts.
Both counties began with only half of last year’s Munster final personnel, as late changes to the Cork side saw injured pair Alan Cadogan and Conor Lehane replaced by Daniel Kearney and Shane Kingston.
However, after a competitive opening quarter at 0-5 to 0-4, Clare seized full control with seven unanswered points through Peter Duggan (3), Tony Kelly, Mikey O’Malley, Colm Galvin and John Conlon.
Patrick Horgan stopped the 20-minute rot momentarily, only for a dominant home side led by Galvin, David Reidy and O’Malley to ensure a near-perfect half with four more singles on their way to an seemingly unassailable 0-16 to 0-05 interval lead.
With only four points from play for their starting forwards over the 70 minutes, Cork were unexpectedly out-of-sorts up front but were helped in their second half recovery by inspirational long range efforts from Tim O’Mahony, Darren Browne and Mark Ellis.
Clare’s intensity dipped but they still held a nine-point cushion entering the final ten minutes. Cork needed a goal to unearth a full recovery but home goalkeeper Donal Tuohy was equal to a brace of Horgan 20-metre frees as the arrears were gradually toppled.
Clare held on sufficiently, though, to protect their perfect start and complete a first league victory over Cork in Cusack Park in 13 years.
Scorers for Clare: Peter Duggan 0-8 (6f, 2’65); David Reidy 0-3; John Conlon, Seadna Morey, Mikey O’Malley, Tony Kelly, Colm Galvin 0-2 each; Podge Collins, Niall Deasy 0-1 each
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-12 (9f, 2’65); Luke Meade, Tim O’Mahony, Robbie O’Flynn, Mark Ellis, Darren Browne, Bill Cooper, Seamus Harnedy 0-1 each
Clare
1. Donal Tuohy (Crusheen)
4. Patrick O’Connor (Tubber)
3. Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
2. Jack Browne (Ballyea)
7. Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
6. David McInerney (Tulla)
5. Mikey O’Malley (Kilmaley)
8. Colm Galvin (Clonlara)
9. Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
10. Niall Deasy (Ballyea)
11. John Conlon (Clonlara)
12. David Reidy (Éire Óg)
13. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg)
14. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
15. Podge Collins (Cratloe)
Subs
22. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge) for Conlon (50)
21. Conor McGrath (Cratloe) for Collins (56)
20. Daragh Corry (Tulla) for Deasy (59)
17. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona) for O’Malley (65)
25. Jason McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Galvin (65)
Cork
1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk)
2. Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)
3. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
4. Colm Spillane (Castlelyons)
7. Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum)
5. Darren Browne (Kanturk)
8. Mark Ellis (Millstreet)
22. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields)
10. Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own)
11. Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
12. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
9. Luke Meade (Newcestown)
14. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
25. Shane Kingston (Douglas)
Subs
20. Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk) for Kearney (HT)
26. Rob O’Shea (Carrigaline) for Kingston (45)
24. Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields) for Meade (51)
21. Brian Lawton (Castlemartyr) for O’Flynn (60)
Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)
Hooper is somewhat of an anomaly in that he’s a world class 7 that’s basically never been injured for any notable length of time. Not even 29 and nearly a test centurion. Remarkable when you consider how brutal the game is physically these days.
Hopefully, someone will pick up the broadcast rights over here. The quality in the Top League has been “mixed” in recent years with some big name players on the downswing of their careers chasing a last big payday but there seems to be a real uptick in the quality of players & coaches heading there for next season, so it could make for interesting viewing.
@Del McG: yuuuuuuuppppaaaaa
Why, what is the point of playing in Japan. Its understandable in your mid 30s at the end of your career but in his prime why wouldn’t he move to England or France. Probably get the same money and will play a very competitive level of rugby, rather than just collect a pay check and play in a mickey mouse league
@s mc: you answered your own question there chief
@s mc: Big bucks, not as far from home, can basically stay match fit for a return to Super Rugby and the Wallabies when this passes. Will likely get a big contract in France for a couple of years when he calls it quits on his Wallaby career if he still wants to play at a high level.
@s mc: Even though he has had a break, in Japan he can earn the same money as he would in England and France, and its a lot easier on his body. Who wouldn’t take the easier money?
@Kingshu: I would rather look back on career and have won another meaningful tournament than protecting myself.
@s mc: It may beca longer career to look back on, by taking the Japan option
@s mc: Lad, it’s not that hard. He’s not retiring. He’ll be closer to 29 than 30 when this finishes. Consider it a gap year type arrangement. Still opportunities to win trophies but he’s filling the rugby career dead space with a bit of pick up ball that he gets paid really well for. He’ll do the 6 months, pocket a pay check and slot back in as a world class operator with 4-5 years at the top left in him when it’s done. It’s the smart decision for a guy who’s been playing elite back row rugby for 11 years already.
@s mc: yes