Diarmuid McMahon made his long-awaited return to the Clare hurling team in Thursday night's challenge match win over Dublin at Nenagh. Clare..0-29 Dublin...2-20 The game was three-quarters of an hour late in starting due to the Dublin team bus being held up in traffic, but the full 70 minutes was still played. McMahon lined out in his familiar centre half forward role in what was his first appearance for the Banner since returning from a stint in Australia in March. Clare were in control of proceedings until the 22nd minute when a mistake by goalkeeper Philip Brennan allowed Dublin wing back Peter Kelly's delivery to cross the goal-line. That score levelled the tie at 1-5 to 0-8, but Clare finished the half strongly to lead by 0-17 to 1-11 at half-time. Tommy Naughton's charges levelled the scoring again in the 52nd minute when top-scorer Kevin Flynn fired home their second goal, but Clare upped the ante again in the closing quarter to run out three-point winners. Tweet

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