Clare delivered a five-star performance in Thurles this afternoon to defeat Galway by 2-22 to 4-11 and capture the All-Ireland minor hurling championship title.
Brian O’Connell’s side shipped two first-half goals but still led at half-time (0-12 to 2-5) thanks to the points of Marc O’Brien, Sean Arthur and Ogie Fanning.
Cullen Killeen had netted both goals for the Tribesmen in the opening period at Semple Stadium, but after the turnaround it was Clare’s two goals in a devastating seven-minute spell that had them with one hand on the Irish Press Cup.
O’Brien’s darting run set-up Fanning for their first and the second would come from a James Hegarty ‘65’ which dropped over the line and the latter would point a free soon after to make it 2-13 to 2-7.
A Harry Holmes goal did reduce Galway’s arrears to four but the Banner lads got points down the home stretch via Harry Doherty and Eoin Cleary to seal their county’s first All-Ireland MHC title - and second overall - since 1997.
31 nóim #CLAvGAL 🏆 @GaaClare 1-12@Galway_GAA 2-06
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 4, 2023
Tús láidir ag an gClár don dara leath!
Ógie Fanning with a brilliantly finished goal for Clare straight after half-time.@ElectricIreland | #GAABEO | #GAA
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/t8X7j3cp1O
Tweet"Really happy with the lads, so delighted for them [...] It's massive for Clare hurling"
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 4, 2023
Bainisteoir buacach an Chláir - Brian O'Connell 🏆@ElectricIreland |@GaaClare | @TG4TV#GAABEO | #GAA | #CLAvGAL pic.twitter.com/6iUhF3eQHy