Fennelly ponders future after Dublin humiliation

Dublin hurlers have never experiened such humiliation on their home patch at Parnell Park. In essence they fell victim to a physically stronger and more polished Clare team.

"It was a difficult match for us to take on, yes, there was a banana skin thing about it. Our fellas were wary of being caught and that proved a major motivating factor for us," said Clare manager Cyril Lyons.

Dublin struck a total of 20 wides - 16 in the second half. "When you hit wides at that rate what can you expect," said manager Kevin Fennelly, who is undecided about his future with the team. "I'll go home and think about it," said the Kilkenny man.

Dublin's wayward scoring attempts were not as big a factor as Clare's snappier hurling skills and the team's ability to gain valuable possession in tight corners before using it properly.

Apart from the first 20 minutes when Dublin were seen at their best, encouraged by a shock goal from Liam Ryan, the home team were outclassed. Clare were dominant in midfield, thanks to Colin Lynch (until he retired in the last quarter) and John Reddan. They also showed a great hunger for possession and a relentless urge to raise their game to even greater heights right up to the end.

In trying to contain the forceful efforts of a physically stronger Clare team Dublin became flustered, got little time on the ball and were forced into repeated error.

The worst of these howlers saw Dublin goalkeeper Brendan McLoughlin lose sight of a tentative second-half Gearoid Considine lob from the right only for the ball to enter his net unchallenged. Earlier, McLoughlin attempted a solo from his goal and lost possession stranded 50 yards out. Another Clare point resulted.

But Dublin forwards Kevin Flynn and Conal Keaney got chances for points that should have been taken in the second half.

Tony Griffin, Niall Gilligan and Conor Earlie in the Clare attack seemed incapable of making similar mistakes.

The highlights were almost entirely provided by Clare players. The Munster side's first goal by Gilligan was a gem after the Sixmilebridge man took on the Dublin cover to shoot hard and low at the end of an incisive run.

Then when James O'Connor found Lynch with an astute hand pass the midfielder first-timed a half-volley over the bar from halfway.

Top scorer Gilligan was far more influential on the Clare half forward line than O'Connor whose contribution was a pointed free before being replaced by Ger Considine in the second half.

Dublin scored 1-1 in the opening seven minutes to lead by two points but they failed to register another score until late in the half and trailed by 1-11 to 1-3 at half-time.

The Dublin goal clearly justified switching centre back Liam Ryan with centre half forward Darragh Spain at the start. Other Dublin switches had little effect.

CLARE: 1 D Fitzgerald; 2 B Quinn, 3 B Lohan, 4 F Lohan; 5 D Hoey, 6 S McMahon, 7 G Quinn; 8 C Lynch, 9 J Reddan; 10 J O'Connor, 11 T Griffin, 14 N Gilligan; 13 D Forde, 12 A Markham, 15 C Earlie.

Subs: C Plunkett for Quinn (20 mins), J Considine for Markham (61 mins), G Considine for O'Connor (62 mins), G Malone for Lynch (64 mins).

DUBLIN: 1 B McLoughlin; 2 P Brennan, 3 S Perkins, 4 D O'Reilly; 5 S Hiney, 11 D Spain, 7 K Ryan; 8 T Moore, 9 D Sweeney; 10 C Keaney, 6 L Ryan, 12 S Martin; 13 G Ennis, 14 K Flynn, 15 P O'Donoghue.

Subs: C Meehan for K Ryan (40 mins), T McGrane for Sweeney (48 mins), D Donnelly for Ennis (52 mins).