Clonlara reach new ground with win over Kiladangan

Clonlara (Clare) 0-23 Kiladangan (Tipperary) 1-19

Diarmuid Stritch landed the winning score as Clonlara produced a stoppage-time turnaround to overhaul 13-man Kiladangan.

The Tipperary champions had fought valiantly after straight red cards shown by referee Ciarán O'Regan to goal-scorer Dan O’Meara and Seán Hayes.

Led by Billy Seymour (0-11), they came from three points behind to lead by two as late as the third of five added minutes.

But Clonlara rallied with the final three points from the Moriartys, Aidan and Cian, before Stritch’s 66th-minute winner. The Clare U20’s replacement had just been announced but the substitution was never made as he intercepted a loose pass to the delight of the Clare champions.

Their first-ever provincial victory sends them into a Munster final against either Ballygunner or Na Piarsaigh.

Clonlara began with a significant wind advantage at their backs and after Seymour’s opening point, they made it count.

John Conlon certainly didn’t overindulge at the All-Star banquet as the award-winning centre-back displayed his attacking talents with back-to-back points. He would end with another prize, receiving man of the match for his four-point haul.

They moved 0-06 to 0-02 clear but it could’ve been more. Barry Hogan made a fine save from Ian Galvin and Colm O’Meara sent a one-handed swipe just wide.

Kiladangan were struggling to retain their puck-outs but they received a major boost in the 15th minute. Andy Loughnane did well to keep Seymour’s sideline cut in play and fed O’Meara to bounce the sliotar into the net.

Seymour twice levelled from frees before Kiladangan burst two ahead, with points from Declan McGrath and another Seymour free.

Clonlara lifted their game again to clip the next four. Páraic