Gaelic Games

Stephen Bennett leads second-half blitz as Waterford put Clare to sword

Déise score 2-6 in blistering eight-minute spell after the interval

Waterford’s Stephen Bennett keeps his concentration despite a stray hurl to score his second goal in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster Under-21 Hurling semi-final against Clare at Walsh Park. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Waterford’s Stephen Bennett keeps his concentration despite a stray hurl to score his second goal in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster Under-21 Hurling semi-final against Clare at Walsh Park. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Wed Jul 13 2016 - 21:13

Waterford 3-23 Clare 1-11

Waterford progressed to their first Munster Under-21 Final since 2009 following a stunning second-half blitz that put Clare to the sword before 4,126 sun-drenched fans at Walsh Park.

Trailing by 1-9 to 0-10 at the break, the hosts turned the tie on its head, rifling in 2-6 within eight minutes of the restart, with a rampant Stephen Bennett slotting home both goals.

Playing with the strong wind to their backs in the opening half, Clare settled well and were 1-4 to 0-1 within nine minutes, with Oisín Donnellan tucking home a fine goal after Ryan Taylor’s run had split open the Waterford defence.

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The Banner's midfield pairing of David Conroy and Kevin Hehir notched up two points apiece in the opening half.

But Waterford finished the half strongly, clocking four points without reply, with Patrick Curran, Stephen Bennett and Shane Bennett all the fore in the closing stages.

As a contest, the game was settled within 10 minutes of the restart, with Stephen Bennett reminding the home crowd of the finishing prowess that powered this group to a minor All-Ireland title three years ago.

Colm Roche slammed in the third goal just shy of the 45th minute during a half in which the hosts outscored Clare by 3-13 to 0-2.

WATERFORD: J Henley; W Hahessy, C Gleeson, D Lyons; M Harney, A Gleeson (0-2, one Sl), C Prunty; M O'Brien (0-2), C Roche (1-0); DJ Foran, T Devine (0-1), M Kearney (0-2); P Curran (0-10, seven frees, one 65), Shane Bennett (0-2), Stephen Bennett (2-3).

Subs: A Farrell for DJ Foran (42 mins), P Hogan (0-1) for C Prunty (48 mins), J Fagan for M Kearney (52 mins), R Browne for S Bennett (58 mins), B O'Keefe for A Gleeson (58 mins).

CLARE: D Vaughan; R Hayes, D Fitzgerald, C Cooney; J McCarthy, A McGuane, B O'Gorman (0-2); D Conroy (0-3), K Hehir (0-2); O Donnellan (1-0), B Duggan (0-1, free), S Gleeson (0-1); C Crehan, R Taylor (0-1), A Shanagher (0-1).

Subs: S Taylor for C Crehan (h/t), P O'Loughlin for S Gleeson (41 mins), J Loughnane for C Cooney (51 mins), P Fitzgerald for O Donnellan (54 mins), C Burke for K Hehir (55 mins).

Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary).