By Peter T. Nolan
Connecticut 7-15
Clare 3-10
The afternoon’s second debutantes, Connecticut State, certainly looked up to the challenge of the senior hurling division as they demolished Clare in the season’s first hurling match Sunday at Gaelic Park. Keith Hennessey’s opening goal was a sign of things to come, putting the suburbanites up a goal early.
Connecticut’s Waterford import, Paul Flynn, scored six first-half points, from frees and play, but Clare hung tough with John Kennedy (0-4) and Liam Briodie (0-3) impressive.
Clare were working hard and keeping it close at the midway mark, trailing 1-8 to 0-7. But the second half was a shooting clinic from Connecticut, led by Flynn and Aiden Power. Flynn started with two good points before finding the net. John O’Mahoney added another point and then the floodgates opened. Aiden Power hammered home three goals in rapid succession and the route was on.
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Veteran campaigner Joe Firth goaled twice for Clare, but it was not to be a banner day for Clare as Connectiut ran out to a huge win.
Man of the match: Paul Flynn.
Connecticut: Donal Leahy, Maurice Crowe, Phil Wickham, Tom Foy, Mark Comerford, Richie Purcell, Eric McDonald (0-1), Aiden Power (3-1), Fergus Flynn (1-2), Keith Hennessey (1-1), Paul Flynn (1-9), John O’Mahoney (1-1).
Clare: Steven O’Hara, Brian Adams, Kevin Moore, Seamus Pender, Ronan Sheedy, Steve Flynn, John Kennedy (0-5), Denis Ryan (0-1), Martin Ready, Barney Breen, Joe Firth (2-0), Sean Green (1-1), Liam Briodie (0-3).