Narrow defeat for Senior Hurlers against Clare

DUBLIN 1-22 

CLARE 3-18

Dublin commenced their Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B campaign with a two-point defeat at the hands of Clare at Zimmer Biomet Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon. 

The visitors impressed for the bulk of the first-half but the concession of late goals to David Reidy and Peter Duggan undermined their ambitions as they trailed by 2-8 to 0-11 at the interval.

A strong third quarter that included a wonderful Brian Hayes goal saw Dublin back in contention but their fate was sealed as Tony Kelly rocketed a third Clare goal entering added time.   

Dublin made a positive start with a foul on late addition Conor Groarke being converted by Donal Burke and the Na Fianna marksman added a second free in the 3rd minute to reward their bright opening. 

Darragh Lohan opened the home account soon after with an excellent point from midfield but Brian Hayes mirrored that effort at the opposite end before a third Burke free pushed the Dubs three points clear by the 7th minute. 

A superb long-distance strike by Andrew Dunphy continued their bright opening and while Mark Rodgers clipped over a brace of frees for Clare, the visitors continued to enjoy the upper hand courtesy of scores from Cian O’Sullivan and Donal Burke (free). 

The hosts gradually found their range after a series of poor wides as they halved their deficitby the 20th minute through points from Rodgers (free) and David Fitzgerald. 

Dublin were far more economical in terms of their shooting with Conor Donohoe landing a cracking score from distance but much of their good work was undone as the hosts finished the half on the front foot. 

The catalyst for Clare’s improved fortunes arrived through Reidy’s well-taken goal in the 29thminute as he raced onto Lohan’s pass before finishing impeccably into the bottom corner. 

Worse was to follow for Dublin two minutes before the break as Shane Meehan cut through before finding Duggan for a second Clare goal, leaving the visitors facing a three-point deficit by half-time.

Despite falling further behind following two Rodgers frees, Dublin were right back in the mix within six minutes of the restart as substitute Dara Purcell made an instant impact with a fine pass to the inrushing Brian Hayes, who crashed a superb finish beyond Éibhear Quilligan in the Clare goal. 

Conor Burke score saw the Dubs back on level terms while frees in quick succession by Donal Burke and Rodgers saw the parity maintained by the 45th minute. 

The visitors had a great chance to put daylight between the sides five minutes later but Donal Burke saw his well-struck penalty diverted over the crossbar by Quilligan. 

That missed opportunity failed to unsettle Dublin however, as they struck three unanswered scores through Hayes, Purcell and Donohoe to seize the initiative in the early stages of the final quarter. 

However, Clare struck back to regain the lead following two points apiece from Tony Kelly and Rodgers and the former settled the issue with a powerful finish from Rory Hayes’ pass in the 71st minute. 

Dublin will now turn their attentions to Round 2 when they host Kildare in Parnell Park next Saturday evening (7.30). 

Scorers – Dublin: D Burke 0-11 (Pen, 9f); B Hayes 1-3; A Dunphy, C Donohue, C O’Sullivan 0-2 each; C Burke, D Purcell 0-1 apiece. Clare: M Rodgers 0-11 (9f); T Kelly 1-3; D Reidy, P Duggan 1-0 each; D Lohan, D Fitzgerald, S Meehan, D Stritch 0-1 each. 

Dublin: S Brennan; J Bellew, P Smyth, E O’Donnell; C Burke, C Crummey, A Dunphy; C Donohoe, C Groake; B Hayes, C O’Sullivan, D Power; D Burke, R Hayes, D Ó Dúlaing. Subs: D Keogh for Power (33), D Purcell for Ó Dúlaing (41), C Ó Riain for Keogh (57), D Lucey for C. Burke (66).

Clare: E Quilligan; R Hayes, C Cleary, A Hogan; C Malone, D Ryan, C Galvin; D Lohan, R Taylor; D Fitzgerald, T Kelly, P Duggan; D Reidy, M Rodgers, S Meehan. Subs: D Stritch for Reidy (46), J O’Neill for Fitzgerald (56), N O’Farrell for Duggan (59), J Conneally for Galvin (59), C O’Meara for Lohan (70). 

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway).