Clare show title credentials to down Tipp in atrocious conditions in minor hurling opener

Munster Minor Hurling Championship - Round 1

Tipperary 0-14

Clare 2-15

Tipperary had a tough baptism of fire in their opening game of the 2023 Munster Minor Hurling Championship as they were outclassed by Clare in atrocious weather conditions in Wolfe Tones GAA, Shannon earlier tonight (Tuesday).

A very strong first half from the Banner proved to be far too much for a young Tipp team, with Clare making very good use of the experienced players peppered throughout their ranks from last year's good minor panel who ran Tipp close in the 2022 Munster final.

The incessant rain was biblical throughout the game and it made it really difficult for either team to put their best on the field on the night, especially the Premier players as the physicality and running of the Clare players proved to be too much to handle.

Clare had the benefit of a really strong breeze in the first half and despite Tipperary keeping in touch in the first 15 minutes of the half, the home side finished the half well with Michael Collins brilliantly solo goal and points from Marc O'Brien and Eoin Carey had Tipp trailing 1-11 to 0-6.

It was even enough from a Tipp viewpoint in the first 15 minutes playing into the wind with Clare getting underway with a point from Michael Power on the run; but Tipp settled in with Shane Buckley's brace of frees along with a strong run and finish from Sam Rowan putting Tipp ahead 0-3 to 0-2 after 12 minutes.

Conditions worsened further as the clock ticked on into the second quarter but it didn't hinder Clare's play in the slightest with their forwards proving elusive in the form of Michael Collins, Marc O'Brien, and Michael Power who all took it in turns to hurt Tipp on the scoreboard as they hit Tipp for 1-5 up to the 20th minute; Michael Collins finishing a powerful run to burn several defenders and flick the ball coolly over Harry Loughnane in the Tipp goalmouth.

There's was little in the way of penetration in the other direction with the strong breeze an dominant Clare half back line swallowing up Tipp deliveries time and again, and Jamie Ormond's well taken point in the 23rd minute cut a 15 minute wait for a score, but Clare continued to pour forward and only for some poor shooting, it would have been worse at the break for Tipp. Clare ahead by eight at the interval.

With the wind at their backs Tipp needed to get the opening few scores to get the momentum going in their favour, but Clare started strongly again to fire over the first three points of the half in the first eight minutes; Marc O'Brien (free), Michael Collins, and Michael Power all firing over to quell the Tipp players efforts.

Tipp were living off scraps, even with the breeze at their backs and were reliant on scires fromRobbie Ryan, and a well taken effort from Sam Rowan had it back to eight points again, but Clare struck a killer blow after 50 minutes when Michael Power's run set up Marc O'Brien to fire home from close range to open up a big 2-14 to 0-9 lead.

It would have been easy to fold at this point but in fairness to the Tipp youngster, they never stopped trying and over the course of the final ten minutes they scored five points on the bounce to make it a six point game, but goals were needed to drag back the deficit.

But it wasn't going to come as Clare defended well even with the Tipp attacks proving relentless in the final minutes, and the final score of the game went to Clare three minutes into added time from substitute Evan Price as the Banner exacted a measure of revenge for last year's defeats to James Woodlock's team.

Tipp will now have to dust themselves down to face Cork in their next game in Pairc Úi Chaoimh on April 4, with Woodlock and his coaching staff having a bye week in round 2 to iron out the kinks for the remaining games

Scorers: Tipperary: Robbie Ryan (0-4, 0-2f, 0-1 65), Shane Buckley (0-3, 0-2f), Sam Rowan (0-3), Jamie Ormond (0-2, 0-1f), Leigh Loughnane, Jack Hayes 0-1 each.

Clare: Marc O'Brien (1-4, 0-4f), Michael Collins 1-2, Michael Power 0-4, Fred Hegarty (0-2, 0-1f), Sean Arthur, Evan Price 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Harry Loughnane (Roscrea); Sean Nash (St Patrick's), Evan Morris (Holycross Ballycahill), Ciaran Byrne (Golden Kilfeacle); Cian Ryan (Moneygall), Oisin O'Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs), Darragh Linnane (Mullinahone); Keith Loughnane (Durlas Óg), Shane Buckley (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams); David Costigan (Moycarkey Borris), Sam Rowan (Mullinahone), Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens); Jack Hayes (Moycarkey Borris), Robbie Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers).

Subs: Stefan Tobin (Carrick Swans) for C Ryan (40); Colm Kennedy (Sean Treacys) for Hayes (43); Leigh Loughnane (Roscrea) for A Ryan (59); Jake Houlihan (Nenagh Éire Óg) for R Ryan (60).

Clare: Mark Sheedy; Eoghan Gunning, Ronan Keane, Eoin Carey; Matthew O'Halloran, Mark O'Connor, Jamie Moylan; Oige Fanning, Ronan Kilroy; Michael Collins, Fred Hegarty, Sean Arthur; Jack Mescal, Marc O'Brien, Michael Power.

Subs: Harry Doherty for Fanning (54); Evan Price for Keane (56); Eoin Begley for Mescal (61); Robert Loftus for Gunning (63, inj).

Referee: David Deady (Limerick)