Waterford’s late rally earns draw with Clare

Clare 2-8 Waterford 2-8

A determined finish by Waterford earned them a draw with Clare at Cusack Park on Saturday evening, in front of 1,767 spectators in a Munster Senior football championship quarter-final.

On 68 minutes the hosts enjoyed a 2-8 to 2-5 advantage but late points by Shane Aherne (twice), one from play and another from a placed ball, plus a Paul Whyte equaliser deep into injury time, forced a replay, which is fixed for Dungarvan next weekend.

Clare were in front at the break by 1-5 to 1-2, having played with the aid of a slight breeze.

Within 6 minutes of the throw-in, the Banner raced into a 1-1 to no score lead. David Tubridy opened the scoring with a pointed free in the third minute and Enda Coughlan first-timed to the net minutes later.

A pair of JJ Hutchinson points got Waterford off the mark eventually and a goal by Paul Whyte close to the half-time whistle kept them within reach.

In the second period, a goal for the visitors by Liam ó Lonáin levelled matters at 1-7 to 2-4 and when Tadhg Ó hUallacháin kicked a fine point the Decies lead for the first time in the game.

Clare struck back with a goal by Tubridy to regain the lead and in a frantic finish, Waterford eventually found the form to force a merited draw.

Scorers

Clare: D Tubridy (1-3) 0-1 f, E Coughlan (1-0), S McGrath (0-2), M O'Leary (f), J Malone, G Brennan (0-1) each.

Waterford: P Whyte (1-2), L Ó Lonáin (1-0), JJ Hutchinson (0-2), S Aherne (0-2) 1 f, M Curry, T Ó hUllacháin (0-1) each.

Clare: J Hayes, D Ryan, K Harnett, M McMahon, S Hickey, G Kelly, C Russell, G Brennan (Capt.), S McGrath, J Malone, E Coughlan, S Collins, P Collins, D Tubridy, M O'Leary. Subs: S Brennan for Kelly B/C (31), R Donnelly for O'Leary (51), E Cleary for Malone (63), P McMahon for P Collins B/C (70).

Waterford: S Enright, S Briggs (Capt.), Maurice O'Gorman, T O'Gorman, C Phelan, D Crowley, O Keevers, P Whyte, T Prendergast T Ó'hUallacháin L Ó Lonáin , Michael O'Gorman, B Wall, S Aherne, JJ Hutchinson. Subs: M Curry for Hutchinson (42), D Allen for Wall (58), W Hutchinson for Briggs B/C (50), D Grey for Michael O'Gorman (56), D Hallinan for Keevers (60)

Referee: C Lane (Cork)