Goals in either half from Fred Hegarty and James Organ saw the Clare Under 20 hurlers get the better of Waterford by 2-18 to 0-17 on a bright and breezy Wednesday evening in Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field. The scoreline slightly flattered the visitors as Ken McGrath’s Déise missed six frees including four in the second half.
Hegarty was cleared to play following his straight red card against Cork. He delivered 1-7 from dead balls. Organ’s opportunistic goal five minutes from the end sealed a hard fought victory.
Two points from play by Michael Collins gave the visitors a 4-1 advantage after twelve minutes. On the quarter hour, Déise number one Alex Reade made a spectacular save. Jack O’Neill’s shot seemed destined for the top corner before Reade flung himself to his right. A Jack Twomey point and two Mark Hartley frees levelled it up at four apiece.
Four Fred Hegarty frees saw the away team regain the lead. Wind assisted Waterford enjoyed a purple patch approaching the break. Hartley shot two from play before Twomey struck a beauty in front of the stand to edge the hosts 9-8 ahead. In injury time, Hegarty turned Fiacra Cooney and the Waterford defender brought him to ground. Referee Conor Doyle issued a black card and signalled a Clare penalty. Hegarty fired it home as the Banner hit the dressing rooms two up (1-8 to 0-9).
Waterford missed three scoreable frees in the third quarter (two from Hartley and one from Michael Morrissey). Hartley regained his composure with two conversions. An inspirational score from Déise captain Aaron O’Neill left them just one adrift (1-11 to 0-13). Daniel Lalor then won a free that lifted the crowd. Hartley missed however.
With five minutes left, Lalor was blocked down off a short puckout and James Organ blasted home to clinch Clare’s first win of the campaign. Waterford welcome Limerick to Dungarvan next Wednesday.
