Clare 2-23

Laois 2-19

CLARE HAD TO withstand a mighty challenge from a courageous Laois before booking an Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-final with joust against Tipperary at O’Moore Park.

The hosts were at a numerical disadvantage from the 22^nd minute after Tom Delaney’s sending off and when Shane O’Donnell grabbed his second goal, the prospect of the All-Ireland champions driving home their advantage loomed large.

It wasn’t to be though as Laois dug deep and a 67^th minute goal from substitute Brendan Reddin left just two points between them before Tony Kelly and Colin Ryan (free) saw the Bannermen home.

A seventh minute goal from Neil Foyle after tremendous work by Tommy Fitzgerald gave Laois the perfect boost but they were conceding too many frees and with Ryan helping himself to six points, were trailing by 0-9 to 1-3 by the 19^th minute.

Laois had plenty of possession however and only poor shooting – they had 11 wides by half time – prevented them from being ahead.

Paddy Purcell and Matthew Whelan (free) kept them in touch though before Delaney received his marching orders for an off-the-ball incident involving John Conlon. The Laois defender appeared aggrieved by the decision but Alan Kelly appeared very definite.

Stephen Maher was retained in the sweeper role despite the numerical disadvantage and Laois showed their resolve by hitting the front via a monster point from Charlie Dwyer and a Whelan 65.

Conlon and Conor McGrath made it a two-point game once more but back came Laois with a 60m point from corner-back Brian Stapleton and the score of the day from Purcell.

McGrath had Clare in front entering injury time when Patrick Kelly made a good save from Fitzgerald. Seconds later, goal king O’Donnell had the ball in the Laois net, after receiving a pass from McGrath and it was 1-12 to 1-9 at half time.

When O’Donnell converted another opportunity created by McGrath in the 45^th minute the margin was seven and Ryan made it eight.

But this time, it was Clare conceding frees and Maher punished them. Willie Hyland had an inspirational score before the brilliant Purcell set up Reddin to beat Patrick Kelly.

Clare’s experience shone through though and while Laois will take plenty from the outing, it is Davy Fitzgerald’s crew that advance.

Scorers for Clare: Colin Ryan 0-10(8fs); Shane O’Donnell 2-0; Conor McGrath 0-4; Tony Kelly 0-3; Aaron Cunningham 0-2; Patrick O’Connor, Bobby Duggan, Cathal McInerney, John Conlon 0-1 each.

Scorers for Laois: Stephen Maher 0-6(fs); Brendan Reddin 1-1; Tommy Fitzgerald, Paddy Purcell 0-3 each; Neil Foyle 1-0; Matthew Whelan (1f, 1 65), Willie Hyland 0-2 each; Charlie Dwyer, Brian Stapleton 0-1 each.

CLARE: Patrick Kelly, David McInerney, Cian Dillon, Conor Cooney, Brendan Bugler, Conor Ryan, Patrick O’Connor, Patrick Donnellan, Tony Kelly, Peter Duggan, Colin Ryan, John Conlon, Bobby Duggan, Shane O’Donnell, Conor McGrath. Subs: Aaron Cunningham for Donnellan (46); Cathal McInerney for Bobby Duggan (52); Jack Browne for Dillon (58); PJ Scully for Fitzgerald (68); David Reidy for Conlon (70+2)

LAOIS: Eoin Reilly, John A Delaney, Brian Campion, Brian Stapleton, Joe Fitzpatrick, Matthew Whelan, Tom Delaney, Dwane Palmer, Paddy Purcell, Charlie Dwyer, John Purcell, Willie Hyland, Stephen Maher, Neil Foyle, Tommy Fitzgerald. Subs: Ross King for Foyle (ht), Patrick Whelan for John Purcell (42), Brendan Reddin for Dwyer (54)

Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway).

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