Clare have to overturn half-time deficit to get past Kildare in brilliant battle

Clare overturned a half-time deficit to get past a brilliant and battling Kildare side when they faced off in Round 4 of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B.

The 2024 All-Ireland champions came out 0-27 to 3-14 the better when they visited Cedral St Conleth's Park and faced a stiff test against Brian Dowling's men, which more than proved The Lilies belong at this level of hurling.

It was a blistering start to this game with each team registering a couple of points within just three minutes of the referee’s first whistle.

After five time All-Star Tony Kelly gave his side the lead for the first time, The Lilies responded by finding the net.

Kildare pressure high up the field paid off and earned Cathal McCabe a sight at goal. The Maynooth man made no mistake by firing the ball low into the bottom right corner to the delight of the outnumbered home support.

The visitors levelled things with back-to-back points as the game reached the 10-minute mark.

The Lilies then shot themselves three clear once again when Jack Sheridan found the net following a beautiful attacking move. A sweeping switch of play and fast hands brought the ball to Gerry Keegan who beat his man and accelerated towards goal. The Celbridge forward drew attention and created space for the man he offloaded to Jack Sheridan who in turn blasted the ball into the back of the net. 

Gerry Keegan followed his assist with a brilliant point to give Kildare a 2-3 to 0-5 lead after 13 minutes.

After a point at each end, Clare closed the gap to two before a Gerry Keegan score restored their three-point advantage. In between those exchanges of white flags was a stellar save from Paddy McKenna to deny Shane Meehan a certain goal.

The Lilies maintained that three point lead until first half injury-time when referee Brian Keon found extra seconds from somewhere which the visitors made use of.

A Senan Dunford point with the final play of the half made this 2-8 to 0-12 at half-time in favour of The Lilies. It was a scrap in the opening half and one that the Kildare players approached with no fear and instead  absolutely relished the prospect, and they were well worth their half-time lead.

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The tide didn’t turn immediately after the break and it was in fact Kildare that came out strongest with points from Jack Sheridan and Muiris Curtin quickly after half-time.

The visitors drew themselves level in a ruthless spell of four points without reply as they punished every Kildare loss of possession.

Gerry Keegan edged The Lilies back in front at 2-11 to 0-16 with 45 minutes on the clock.

Back-to-back scores from Cathal Malone edged Clare in front before David Qualter restored parity with an outstanding score and the teams sat level with 19 minutes to go.

Mark Rodgers edged Clare ahead with a free and gave them the lead that they would not relinquish as their quality and strength in depth began to show.

Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Stritch and Jack O’Neill pushed Clare further on as they took control of this game and exerted their dominance late on.

Kildare missed some second half frees which hurt their chances but legs began to tire and their huge endeavours began to wilt as the half wore on.

The home fans got one final cheer in this game when Jack Sheridan found the net with a free in the third minute of added time; firing past a packed Clare goal-line.

After an excellent game, Clare finished as 0-27 to 3-14 victors and took a four-point win against a Kildare side that shocked the visiting fans with their resolve.

Clare, Tony Kelly 0-8, Mark Rodgers 0-7 (0-6 frees), Senan Dunford 0-3, Ryan Taylor 0-3, Diarmuid Stritch 0-2, Cathal Malone 0-2, Shane Meehan 0-1, Jack O'Neill 0-1.

Kildare, Jack Sheridan 2-4 (1-3 frees, 0-1 65'), Cathal McCabe 1-0, Gerry Keegan 0-3, David Qualter 0-3, Cathal Dowling 0-1, Simon Leacy 0-1, Paul Dolan 0-1, Muiris Curtin 0-1.

CLARE: Eamonn Foudy; Dylan McMahon, Conor Cleary, Conor Leen; Diarmuid Ryan,  John Conlon, Niall O'Farrell; Diarmuid Stritch, Ryan Taylor; Colm O'Meara, Mark Rodgers, Senan Dunford; Shane Meehan, Tony Kelly, David Fitzgerald. Subs: David McInerney for John Conlon (Half-time), Cathal Malone for David Fitzgerald (Half-time), Jack O'Neill for Colm O'Meara (45 minutes), Ross Hayes for Conor Leen (48 minutes), Ian Galvin for Senan Dunford (64 minutes).

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Liam O'Reilly, Rian Boran, Dan O'Meara; Paul Dolan, Cian Boran, Simon Leacy; Daire Guerin, Conan Boran; Cathal McCabe, Cathal Dowling, Jack Sheridan; David Qualter, Muiris Curtin, Gerry Keegan. Subs: James Dolan for Muiris Curtin (17 minutes Temporary Sub), Muiris Curtin for James Dolan (38 minutes Temporary Sub Reversal), Alan Goss for Daire Guerin (47 minutes), Conn Kehoe for Cathal Dowling (60 minutes), Richy Hogan for Gerry Keegan (69 minutes).

Referee: Brian Keon (Galway)

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