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DUBLIN 0-13
CLARE 2-20
It proved a disappointing end to their campaign for Dublin as they succumbed to Clare bythirteen points in their Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship preliminary quarter-final in Semple Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After a relatively encouraging start for Dublin, it was the Munster side that dictated matters in the opening half with eleven points from Paul Rodgers and goals by Liam Murphy and Ben Talty building a 2-13 to 0-7 lead by the turnaround.
Matters were far tighter after the break but an early goal to ignite thoughts of a Dublin comeback proved elusive with nine points over the hour from Rory Flannery of little consolation by the final whistle.
It didn’t take Clare too long to open the scoring with Rory Ralph pointing inside fifteen seconds before Rory Flannery levelled matters three minutes later with a smart score from play.
A brace of Rodgers points pushed the Banner two points clear by the 6th minute but Dublin began to settle into the fixture as Conaill O’Sullivan clipped over from the left flank soon after.
Further scores by Flannery (free) and Corey Kelly saw Dublin take the lead by the 9th minute but from a promising position, their challenge unravelled to a degree from that point as their opponents seized control of matters.
Rodgers scored four points inside three minutes to kickstart this dominance and while Flannery replied through a 17th minute free, Murphy raced through on goal and placed a precise finish beyond Hugh Leahy in the Dublin goal.
Another three points in quick succession from Rodgers highlighted his massive influence on proceedings with Dublin largely dependent on the free-taking of Flannery for scores as the Kilmacud Crokes player added two further frees.
However, Dublin’s task became even more difficult a minute before the break as Talty read the break well before leaving Leahy helpless once again as Clare moved twelve points clear by the interval.
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