Clare captured their first ESB Munster MHC title in 21 years when David O'Halloran's 38th minute goal inspired them to victory over holders Waterford at Semple Stadium yesterday.

Clare 1-16
Waterford 1-11

Davy Fitzgerald and Jamesie O'Connor were members of the last Clare team to lift a provincial title in the grade in 1989, and the Banner faithful will hope that this latest success will lead to more senior glory in the future.

After defeating Clare by 1-21 to 0-16 in an earlier encounter, the Deise entered the decider as favourites, but the Banner boys were a different proposition on this occasion and were full value for their victory.

Aided by the breeze in the first half, Clare looked the better side, but Waterford went into the break on level terms (0-6 apiece) thanks mainly to the accuracy of free-taker Padraic Mahoney.

Waterford opened up a three-point lead on the restart, only for O'Halloran to bring Clare level when he finished a three-man move to the net. O'Halloran and Niall Arthur added points to push the underdogs four points clear before Eamon Murphy revived Waterford's challenge with a 45th minute goal.

But with O'Halloran, Daire Keane and Kevin Lynch to the fore, Clare shot six unanswered points in the final quarter to end their long wait for minor success. Tweet

Most Read Stories