TUS Clare Senior Hurling Championship Round Two: Eire Óg: 1-23 (26) v Clonlara: 1-20 (23)
Eire Óg have signalled their intent for the Clare Senior Hurling Championship after defeating the defending county champions in an epic encounter at Dr.Daly Park in Tulla.
As expected it was a pulsating contest from the start, with both sides going tit for tat on the scoreboard.
At the end of the first quarter the sides were deadlocked at 0-07 apiece, before Clonlara finally created some breathing space, outscoring their opponents 1-05 to 0-03 before the break, courtesy of a Diarmuid Stritch rocket, which left Dara Stack helpless in the Eire Óg goal.
Clonlara went into the dressing rooms at half time leading by 1-12 to 0-10 and having registered six scorers in Michael O’Loughlin, Diarmuid Stritch, Ian Galvin, Aidan Moriarty, Colm O’Meara and John Conlon looked in a strong position to push on.
On the restart though, Eire Óg made short work of clawing back with the deficit with Oran Cahill and Danny Russell splitting the posts within the first minute of the second half, before Shane O’Donnell raided for a goal in customary fashion.
The townies drove forward from this juncture and were led by inspired showings from Darren O’Brien, Oran Cahill, David Reidy and particularly Danny Russell who finished with a personal tally of 0-11.
Clonlara did bring the margin back to the minimum on a number of occasions, with Cathal Tots O’Connell providing some crucial scores in the closing stages.
But when Ian Galvin was presented with a late opportunity to bring the game level with a 21-metre free, his powerful effort, went wide of the posts to ensure Eire Óg hung on for a spirited win.
As it finished in Dr.Daly Park Tulla on a full time score of Eire Óg 1-23 to Clonlara 1-20.