Clare do enough to resist determined Galway

NHL Round-up

NHL Round-up

Clare 2-16 Galway 1-18

Niall Gilligan was the toast of the Banner county as his total of 2-6 lifted Clare to a one point win over Galway in an ding-dong encounter at Cusack Park this afternoon.

His two first half-goals, one a deflection of the hurl of Galway goalie Damien Howe and the other following a mix up in the visitors defence, allowed Clare open up a lead.

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But Galway clawed their way back into contention with a David Tierney goal and a number of scores from Rory Gantley. The sides were locked at 2-6 to 1-9 at the break.

The sides were level four times during the second half and Galway could have opened up a lead when they were awarded a penalty, but Gantley - scorer of 10 points - missed the resulting penalty.

Gilligan then had the chance to complete his hat-trick but his 33rd minute effort cannoned off the crossbar with the Galway 'keeper off his line.

Ollie Fahey levelled the game with three minutes remaining but, buoyed on by the home support, Clare mustered up a determined finish to run out slender winners.

Elsewhere, Dublin caused a major upset by beating Munster champions Waterford 2-13 to 2-11 on their own turf.

The visitors were aided by a significant breeze in the first half and had racked up 10 points before Waterford scored their first in the 17th minute.

Tomas McGrane and Liam Ryan found the net for the Dubs in that opening period and they led by 15 points (2-12 to 0-3) at the break.

But as expected, Waterford came charging back after the break and outscored their opponents by 2-8 to 0-1. But a goal from Eoin McGrath and a Dave Bennett penalty were too little too late as Dublin survived by two points.

Results

Division 1A
Laois 1-8 Kilkenny 1-17
Waterford 2-11 Dublin 2-13
Clare 2-16 Galway 1-18

Division 1B
Cork 6-19 Derry 1-5
Limerick 1-12 Offaly 2-16
Tipperary 3-21 Wexford 1-11

Division 2A
Roscommon 0-11 Westmeath 3-14
Down 2-22 Kildare 1-7

Division 2B
Carlow 2-19 Longford 1-9
Meath 0-11 Kerry 2-19

Division 3A
Leitrim 1-5 Donegal 1-3

Division 3B
Cavan 0-6 Tyrone 2-17
Fermanagh 2-4 Monaghan 3-12