Munster SHC, Rd. 4
CLARE 4-21 WATERFORD 2-26
The Big Match coverage comes with thanks to George Corbett Skoda.
Waterford lost out by a solitary point in a Munster SHC cliffhanger at a sundrenched Cusack Park, Ennis this afternoon, a game that had everything!
A Shane Bennett penalty in injury looked to have handed the Dèise a dramatic draw but Clare won it with the last puck of the game, Mark Rodgers scoring a 65 which was hotly disputed by the Waterford defenders, a cruel blow as Clare prevailed by 4-21 to 2-26.
Dessie Hutchinson opened the scoring inside the opening minute but it was a cagey opening with both sides finding it difficult to settle in the sweltering heat.
The games first goal arrived on 20 minutes when a Waterford error was punished as Darragh Lohan rattled the net (1-8 to 0-6). Shane O' Donnell and Tadhg De Bùrca exchanged points as did Aidan McCarthy and Jamie Barron.
Clare got their second goal in 26 minutes when a long delivery was flashed to the net by David Fitzgerald. Waterford responded though with four successive points courtesy of Jack Fagan, Shane Bennett, Kevin Mahony and Dessie Hutchinson free as Clare held a five point lead at the break, 2-13 to 0-14.
Tadhg De Bùrca and Shane Bennett cut that deficit early in the 2nd-half but Clare responded in style as the influential Mark Rodgers literally walked the ball into the net for their third goal to restore a six point. Waterford showed massive resilience though and a wonderful individual goal from Stephen Bennett made it a one point game, the equaliser quickly followed from a Hutchinson free.
Super sub Tony Kelly netted Clare's fourth goal despite the best efforts of Shaun O' Brien. A frantic finish was in store and so it transpired, Peter Duggan and Ian Galvin pushed Clare three points in front entering 4 minutes of injury time. Patrick Fitzgerald was upended and Waterford blasted the resultant penalty to the net through Shane Bennett, brilliant finish. The drama wasn't finished there, a controversial 65 was awarded to the host with literally the last puck of the game, Mark Rodgers held his cool to float over the winner as the Banner fans rejoiced, tough on Waterford but what a battle.
Waterford scorers; Dessie Hutchinson 0-6 (5 frees), Stephen Bennett and Shane Bennett 1-2, Kevin Mahony 0-4, Jack Prendergast 0-2, Tadhg De Bùrca 0-2 (1 free), Paudie Fitzgerald 0-2, Ian Kenny 0-1, Calum Lyons 0-1, Jamie Barron 0-1, Jack Fagan 0-1, Patrick Fitzgerald 0-1, Kieran Bennett 0-1.
Thanks to our commentary team of Kieran O' Connor and Brian Flannery, and also to our sponsors George Corbett Skoda.
It's still very much all to play for next Sunday (final round) as the Dèise travel to face the All-Ireland champions, Limerick at 4pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds, a game you'll be able to hear love on WLR thanks to George Corbett Skoda. A superb Sunday in store next weekend.
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