Dominant Clare end Waterford's interest in Munster Hurling Championship

Waterford's inaccuracy and indiscipline cost them again as they exited the Munster Hurling Championship at the hands of Clare with a game to spare afte a 12-point loss at FBD Semple Stadium.

The Banner backed up their victory over All-Ireland champions Limerick to jump to the top of the Munster round-robin, although their opponents this week were toothless in attack. They returned just six points in the second half and the same number from play.

Calum Lyons’ 31st-minute red card, for two avoidable yellows, gave Clare the momentum to stretch away, although they already looked likely winners after Ian Galvin’s first-half goal.

In the absence of injury-hit Aidan McCarthy, Tony Kelly chipped in with 0-13, while Cathal Malone’s goal finished it as a contest for the 14,320 fans at Semple Stadium.

It means for the third time in four years, Brian Lohan’s men have eliminated a team managed by his former teammate turned managerial adversary Davy Fitzgerald as Waterford fell to a sixth championship loss in a row.

Their attack hasn’t scored a goal in their last five games across league and championship. Up against a Clare defence that had shipped seven in their last two games, they hardly threatened one.

That isn’t their only problem. Even without goals, Waterford have fallen short of raising 20 white flags in all three outings.

Jamie Barron's miss when eyeing goal was one of 12 Waterford wides all half (to Clare’s four) as they converted just 10 of their 23 shots, while relying on frees (0-07) for the majority of their scores.

Waterford’s first point from play by Austin Gleeson in the 16th minute levelled the game at 0-5 all but Clare struck the front with a 1-02 punch to give them a lead they never looked like giving up.

Shane O’Donnell