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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Clare v Waterford, Munster U21HC semi-final

We went minute-by-minute as the two sides did battle for the chance to meet Tipp in the final.

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Clare 2-22 Waterford 0-9

Hello, and welcome to this evening’s liveblog.

Here are the teams:

WATERFORD U21H: Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner): Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater), Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner), Mark Wyse (Passage); Ray Barry (Lismore), Philip Mahony (Ballygunner), Eoin Madigan (De La Salle); Padraig Prendergast (Lismore), Jake Dillon (De La Salle); Gavin O’Brien (Roanmore), Eamonn Murphy (Dunhill), Martin O’Neill (Mount Sion); Fionán Murray (Cappoquin), Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner), Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg).

CLARE U21H: Ronan Taaffe (Tubber); Paul Flanagan (Ballyea), David McInerney (Tulla), Killian Ryan (Ruan); Patrick O’Connor (Tubber), Conor Ryan (Cratloe), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge); Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge); Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Padraig Collins (Cratloe), Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones); David O’Halloran (Eire Og, Ennis), Conor McGrath (Cratloe), Cathal O’Connell (Clonlara).

Of course, the other Munster semi-final took place last night – the details can be found here.

We’re underway and Waterford have taken an early lead.

Conor McGrath scores a beautiful goal for Clare, but it’s ruled out, owing to an infringement in the build-up.

The breakneck tempo at which this game started has abated, following a frantic opening, in which Clare wasted no time in making their dominance count on the scoreboard.

Eamon Murphy is currently receiving treatment after falling awkwardly, giving everyone a chance to draw breath.

Conor McGrath has looked lively since the game started, but he’ll be disappointed with his latest effort, shooting wide from a difficult angle.

GOAL FOR CLARE!

Conor McGrath’s shot is well saved by Stephen O’Keeffe, but David O’Halloran is on hand to tap in the rebound.

Clare have easily been the superior team in the opening stages, and the scoreline reflects that.

Wonderful save by Stephen O’Keeffe to stop Aaron Cunningham’s powerful shot.

With just over 17 minutes played, this game is already threatening to turn into a rout – Waterford urgently need to up their performance, or it’ll be game over by half-time.

Another well-taken point by Cathal O’Connell following good skill by Conor McGrath to evade his marker and set him up.

At the moment, Waterford simply have no answer to the pace and intensity of this Clare performance.

Eamonn Murphy finally gives Waterford fans something to cheer about, with a superbly taken point from a difficult angle.

Waterford are making some basic errors and look desperately short of confidence. This could be a long evening from their perspective.

However, as I type, Martin O’Neill has at least registered a point on the brink of half-time, with a free from distance.

HALF-TIME: CLARE 1-11 WATERFORD 0-4

At half-time, the scoreline in no way flatters Clare. They have been the superior side by far, and would be even further ahead, were it not for Stephen O’Keeffe’s brilliant save (see 19.50). They look sharper and hungrier than their opponents in virtually every area of the field.

Therefore, even with a full half to play, it’s difficult to see how Waterford can find a way back into this game, given the lackadaisical manner in which they seemed to approach the first half.

(Clare’s David O’Halloran celebrates scoring his sides first goal – INPHO/James Crombie)

It’s a particularly disappointing performance from Waterford given that, as one of our readers has pointed out, the team contains many of the players who won the Munster title at minor level three years ago.

The second half is underway…

Waterford have started the half in a positive fashion, with a Martin O’Neill effort from distance hitting the post, before being cleared to safety.

No points to report on as of yet.

Fionán Murray has hit what is already their second wide of the half, in addition to the aforementioned O’Neill attempt.

They’re enjoying a good spell now, but have failed to make it count on the scoreboard.

GOAL FOR CLARE!

Colm Galvin’s shot deflects off the post and falls kindly to Padraig Collins, who comfortably slots it into the net.

That’s game over, surely.

Galvin and O’Halloran have added further points for Clare, who are running riot at the moment.

Waterford, following a promising opening to the second half, have completely collapsed and looked have practically given up at this stage.

Another decent save from Stephen O’Keefe to prevent Conor McGrath scoring a third Clare goal.

Martin O’Neill converts a free from distance, before Shane Golden gets an equally impressive point for Clare.

It’s a lost cause for the visitors at this stage.

A routine free from Cathal O’Connell in front of the posts means Clare now lead by a hefty 18 points.

The remaining few minutes are destined to be a bit of a damp squib.

Clearly confident that the game has been won, Clare have made a raft of substitutions in the last few minutes, with the latest seeing Jarlath Colleran replacing Colm Galvin.

Cathal O’Connell, who has been one of the standout players for Clare this evening, adds to his impressive tally, with another expertly-taken point.

It’s been quiet in the last few minutes. The numerous substitutions have undoubtedly disrupted the flow of the game.

Moreover, both sides are now playing in a rather lethargic manner, as if they are resigned to the fact that it’s all over bar the shouting.

FULL TIME: CLARE 2-22 WATERFORD 0-9

So Clare will play Tipp in the Munster final.

In summary, from the first minute onwards, the outcome of this encounter seldom looked in doubt.

Waterford started the match extremely sluggishly and failed to improve thereafter.

Clare, on the other hand, gave a thoroughly professional display, ruthlessly making their superiority tell, without ever really being tested by their opponents.

Right, that’s it from me for tonight. Thanks, as ever, for your company.

Read: Clare v Waterford – Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21HC semi-final match guide>

Read: Kenny: ‘2001 final was unlike anything I have ever played in’>

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