N.Y. GAA Weekenders inspire Waterford hurlers

By Sean O’Reilly

Waterford 3-16, Clare 1-6

The only hurling game of the day proved to be a one-sided affair Sunday at Gaelic Park.

Waterford meant business from the start and with two weekend players in their squad, they looked a formidable outfit. Indeed, Galway’s Nigel Shaughnessy and Gordon Glynn had a huge impact on this game and between them accounted for 3-5 of Waterford’s total.

Clare started the game well and had a goal from Ollie Noonan after just 3 minutes when he rounded his marker and kicked past Ian Duggan. Sean McMahon followed with a point and it looked like an upset might be on the cards. Waterford were shook, but they settled, with scores coming from Denis McCarthy and Glynn. Liam Briody put Clare further in front before Roy Hennerbry replied for Waterford. Waterford took control as the first half progressed, and with Shaughnessy finding more space at midfield, he created opportunities for his inside forwards. McCarthy and Glynn found the target in 25th and 28th minutes as Clare seemed to collapse after such a bright start. Hennerbry pointed a free on the stroke of halftime to leave the score Waterford 0-4 Clare 1-2.

Clare opened the scoring in the second half after 2 minutes with a point from center forward Sean McMahon. However, they weren’t to score again until the 22nd minute. Waterford really found their rhythm in the second half and their imported players stamped their authority on the game.

Shaughnessy took over at midfield and turned the game in Waterford’s favor. They led by 1-12 to 1-3 after 15 minutes with scores from Ray Duggan, McCarthy, Danny Sweeney and the ever-elusive Glynn. Waterford’s first goal came after 12 minutes of the second half. Glynn struck the ball to the net after a goalmouth scuffle; it was all Waterford from then until the end. Shaughnessy added two great points and scores also followed from Sweeney and Glynn.

Clare’s only reply was a point from Stephen O’Hara.

Shaughnessy’s goal in the 24th minute was the highlight of a one-sided second half. The former Galway senior collected the ball at midfield and soloed 40 yards before unleashing a pile driver to the top corner that left Clare reeling. The Banner men had another point from a free by Sean McMahon, but Glynn put Clare out of sight with a well-taken goal in the 27th minute.

Clare’s Eddie Flynn and Seamus Pender did manage to score before the end, but it merely put a better complexion on the scoreline of a one-sided game. For Waterford, weekenders Shaughnessy and Glynn were in flying form and found good support in McCarthy, Hennerbry and Sweeney. Clare had no answer to Waterford on a day when McMahon, Eddie Flynn and Liam Briody tried hardest.

Waterford: I. Duggan, P. Wickham, T. Birmingham, K. Hennesy, R. Purcell, T. O’Connor, N. Shaughnessy 1-2, R. Duggan, D. Sweeney 0-3, G. Glynn 2-3, R. Duggan 0-1, R. Hennerbry 0-3, D. McCarthy 0-4. Subs: M. Flynn 0-1.

Clare: A. O’Connor, N. McGann, R. McKenna, S. Pender 0-1, J. Kennedy, E. Flynn 0-1, D. Doherty, B. Adams, O. Noonan 1-0, S. McMahon 0-2, J. McFadden, S. O’Hara 0-1, L. Briody 0-1.