All-Ireland MHC Final: Clare 2-22 Galway 4-11
Clare produced a monumental performance on the big day to claim their second All-Ireland minor hurling title ahead of their fancied rivals Galway in Thurles on Sunday.
They conceded a pair of goals early and late, but in between they were unstoppable.
Their defence led by Eoghan Gunning, James Hegarty, and Jamie Moylan limited a Galway attack that had outscored their opponents by 100 points across six games.
At the other end, they took a Galway defence that had never allowed more than 0-14 in any match for 2-22, with the goals arriving at the start of the second half from Ógie Fanning and Hegarty. By the end, they had 12 scorers, including four subs.
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They celebrated their first title at this grade since the double of 1997 with Gunning raising the Irish Press Cup.
Galway’s two goals inside 13 minutes came from a Jason Rabbitte catch and a blasted Cullen Killeen finish, but each time Clare came back to level and then lead with a string of points. They finished the half ahead, 0-12 to 2-5.
Galway’s skilful short-passing game was being tested like never before and it came under greater stress when Clare added two goals within seven minutes from Fanning and a Hegarty free dropped over the line.
Clare’s defending was resolute with Mark Sheedy blocking a close-in Niland free, Matthew O’Halloran denying Brian Callanan from the rebound, and Gunning intervening with three dispossessions after another block on Conor Gilligan.
The final 10 minutes were split 0-6 to 2-0, with Galway consolations via a Harry Holmes screamer and Killeen’s second.
CLARE: M Sheedy; E Gunning, R Keane, C Rynne; M O’Halloran, J Hegarty (1-2, 1-2 frees), J Moylan; J Mescal (0-1), E Price (0-1); R Kilroy, M Collins (0-3), S Arthur (0-2); Ó Fanning (1-1), M O’Brien (0-7, five frees), E Begley (0-1).
Subs: F Hegarty (0-1) for Keane (h-t, inj), M Power (0-1) for Begley (39 mins), E Carey for Gunning (48-50, blood), H Doherty (0-1) for Fanning (51), Carey (0-1) for Mescal (53), E Mulcahy for Kilroy (60+3).
GALWAY: S Murray; T Blake, S Murphy, G King; D Quirke, D Campbell, E O’Reilly; M Burke (0-1), C Killeen (2-0); D Counihan, C Burke, C Gilligan; B Callanan, J Rabbitte (1-1), A Niland (0-8, six frees).
Subs: M Fallon (0-1) for Campbell (h-t), S Keane for O’Reilly, H Holmes (1-0) for C Burke (both 40 mins), E Mulleady for Callanan (58).
Referee: M Kennedy (Tipperary).
