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New York GAA Berry lifts Waterford over Clare

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Waterford 2-10, Clare 2-8

Waterford’s senior hurlers put in a strong challenge for a playoff position with this convincing display over rivals Clare, which puts Waterford level on points with leaders Limerick.

Having been well beaten by Limerick last week, Waterford clearly had a point to prove Sunday at Gaelic Park. They had played well in earlier games, winning their first two of the season, but really had the stuffing knocked out of them by Dave Sims and company the previous Sunday at Gaelic Park.

It was never obvious as to who the eventual victors would be though. Clare were by far the better team in the first half. In fact, going into the interval the Banner County enjoyed a four-point lead.

The game opened on something of a personal display for the crowd from Clare midfielder John Kennedy, who was accurate in his shooting efforts no fewer than six times.

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Kennedy was truly reveling in the middle of the park, hitting an early goal and five points throughout the half. Waterford replied through Richie Purcell, Jamie Duggan, Dan Sweeney and the ever reliable Mike Curtin, to leave their side trailing by four going into the break.

Whatever was said to the Waterford players at half time by the coaching staff should have been recorded for posterity, as they entered the second period in a far more confident mood. Purcell and substitute Fintan O’Shea hit points to reduce the deficit to two, then Donal Berry hit a goal to give the Waterford men the lead for the first time.

Clare’s full forward, Michael McCloskey, hit a goal to return the lead into Clare’s hands, but after that it was really all Waterford.

Dave Ryan hit a couple of points, followed by a Clare double from Kennedy, but a goal from Mike Curtin placed Waterford firmly back in the driver’s seat to give his side the lead, and a late point from Shane O’Brien gave Waterford the two points they needed so badly.

Waterford are still well in the hunt for a playoff place, with a healthy total of six points.

Clare, meanwhile, aren’t out of it by any means, but with such healthy competition from the likes of Westmeath, Tipperary and potential party spoilers Offaly, the season has quite some way to go yet.

Waterford: Kevin Martin, Conor Power, Tom Bermingham, Jojo Sullivan, Stuart Barry, Dave Ryan (0-2), Tomas Maher (0-1), Jamie Duggan (0-1), Richie Purcell (0-2), Donal Berry (1-0), Shane O’Brien (0-1), Mike Curtin (1-1), Dan Sweeney (0-1) Subs.: Fintan O’Shea (0-1).

Clare: Aidan O’Connor, Tony Burns, Noel McGovern, Brian Adams, Seamus Pender, Marty McGlade, Sean Harvey, John Kennedy (1-7), Kieran Loughlin, Barney Breen, Donal Moore (0-1), Darren Doherty, Michael McCaskey (1-0) Sub.s: Robert Thompson, Keith Dowling, Keith Munivan.

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