Clare attack hits a brick wall

The relief of the Galway supporters in the 5,000 crowd yesterday was audible. The reassured home fans were even prepared to forgive their team's 21 wides, for what mattered most was the title holders' produced a 100 per cent improvement on the previous Sunday's dismal showing against Offaly.

"There was no comparison with last week's match," said team manager Noel Lane. "I'm very happy with the style of direct hurling we played today and the general approach of the team as a unit."

The most potent part of Galway's display was provided by a defence that outstripped various Clare attacking formations. Cyril Lyons and his Clare management team were left scratching their heads due to the brilliance of Cathal Moore, Liam Hodgins and Finbar Gantley in a cast-iron halfback line of multiple skills, keen anticipation, sharp mobility and excellent delivery power.

In front of this Galway barricade was the masterly David Tierney in midfield, who seemed to be everyone's "man of the match". The athletic Tierney was simply majestic when striking off his left side, and his fetching was often uncanny. The best of his three points came 15 minutes into the second half when, having left his marker for dead, he switched onto his favourite side to pick off a huge point from 70 yards.

Lyons was succinct when giving his reason for making so many switches up front. "When you are up against a quality defence like that you just have to move your players around in search of an answer."

Losing Jamsie O'Connor after 30 minutes with a hamstring injury didn't exactly help, and having to start without Tony Carmody on the right wing was another blow to the team's attacking potential.

Probably the best indication of Clare's attacking woes was reflected by the fact that only Conor Clancy at full forward retained his original position, that is until the closing stages when he was called ashore.

Alan Markham played in five attacking positions, but realised most with the dead ball, scoring three points off easy frees.

The Clare defence was held together by the impeccable play of full back Brian Lohan, Brian Quinn, on his left, and centre back Sean McMahon.

Still, the chances were there for Galway to at least double their score. Eight first-half wides and a further 13 in the second half tells its own tale. Clare were never afforded the same scope for scores, but still had 12 wayward shots at the Galway posts.

On reflection, the Clare forwards may have settled had they not been denied an opening-minute goal during a hectic onslaught but, the crossbar stopped Clancy and Ollie Canning, back on the goal line, saved from O'Connor.

Clare then had to wait until the eighth minute to open their account with a long point from McMahon. By that time Rory Gantley had got Galway off the mark with two frees. The sides were level at half time 0-6 apiece, but Galway always seemed more likely to piece together the winning formula. They opened a three-point lead by the 15th minute of the second half, 0-10 to 0-7.

GALWAY: C Callanan; G Kennedy, M Healy, O Canning; F Gantley, L Hodgins, C Moore (0-2 frees); D O'Brien, D Tierney (0-3); R Gantley (0- 2 frees), O Fahy (0-2), G Glynn; K Broderick, M Kerins, A Kerins (0-2). Subs: F Healy for Broderick (32 mins), D O'Shaughnessy (0-1) for R Gantly (h-t), P Walsh for O'Brien (53 mins), D Forde for F Healy (65 mins).

CLARE: C O'Connor; L Doyle, B Lohan, B Quinn; R Woods, S McMahon (0-2 one 65), F Lohan; C Lynch, G Malone; JP O'Connell (0-2), D Forde (0-2), G Considine, A Markham (0-3 frees), C Clancy, J O'Connor. Subs: G Quinn for Woods (25 mins), E Flannery for O'Connor (30 mins), K Ralph for Considine (45 mins), S Ryan for Cleary (66 mins).

Referee: M Wadding (Waterford)