Wolfe Tones in control

Munster SHC Round One/Wolfe Tones 1-14 Bruree 0-5: Clare champions Wolfe Tones run out easy winners over Bruree in a poor first round clash at Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday.

The Limerick champions were outclassed, especially in the second half by a well-drilled if unspectacular Shannon outfit.

Bruree's Stephen O'Halloran opened the scoring with a free after nine minutes and though they trailed 0-7 to 0-4 at the break they were still in contention.

But Wolfe Tones, inspired by the O'Connell brothers Gary and Brian at midfield, totally dominated a one-sided second half.

They added five points within 12 minutes, three from Gareth McPhillips (two from frees) and a brace from play by Paul O'Rourke. Patsy Keyes set up Paul O'Rourke for the game's only goal after 48 minutes and thereafter there was no way back for Bruree.

WOLFE TONES: R Carley, J Coen, B Lohan, Dermot O'Rourke; K McCarthy, F Lohan, B Loughnane (capt); G O'Connell, B O'Connell; B McPhillips (0-4, three frees), P Keyes, G McPhillips (0-6, five frees); P O'Rourke (1-2), Declan O'Rourke (0-2), Daithi O'Connell. Subs: D O'Riordan for Keyes (53), J Roughan for G O'Connell (54), B Hughes for Daithi O'Connell (56), R Hehir for P O'Rourke (57), Darren O'Connell for Dermot O'Rourke (59).

BRUREE: D Lane; K O'Rourke, John O'Brien, JP Murphy; D Lenihan, S McDonagh (Capt.), S Mullane; James C O'Brien, James V O'Brien (0-1); M Lane, G O'Brien, B Hogan; T O'Brien, S O'Halloran (0-3, two frees), M O'Brien (0-1). Subs: C O'Brien for T O'Brien (50), A Sexton for G O'Brien (52), P Sexton for O'Halloran (54).

Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).