Photo: Clare captain Paul Flanagan returns to the field with the Munster Minor Hurling Championship trophy

Munster Minor Hurling Final

Clare              1-16

Waterford              1-11

History in Thurles without tears as Clare’s young hurlers celebrated a tremendous win in their fifth championship game to capture the Munster Minor hurling title for the first time since 1989 spawned a generation of history makers.

After an opening ten uncertain minutes Clare were dominant and were handsomely rewarded with the silverware. It was a novel pairing for  a minor final, perhaps the first since 1989 with neither Tipperary nor Cork present on Munster final day.

Waterford were the bookmakers favourites at 4/9 on the strength of  their win against Cork four days previous and their opening round victory over Clare by six points early in the series.

Clare had one change from the Limerick game in the penultimate round with Haulie Vaughan coming in for Noel Purcell for their first provincial decider since 1999 against the reigning champions.

Waterford centre forward Eamonn Murphy took the first score in the second minute. Tony Kelly’s ambitious effort from midfield was just wide as Clare soaked up early Waterford pressure.

It was the 8th minute before the second score came following a fine catch by Padraic Prendergast and accurate delivery to Cormac Heffernan who made no mistake.

For their part Clare were fighting a rearguard action at this stage. Their first score came after a foul throw by Eoin Madigan that allowed David O’Halloran to raise a white flag on 13 minutes.

The pressure was eased minutes later with a great score from David O’Halloran after smart work from Kevin Lynch and Colm Galvin set up the Eire Óg man. Lynch was also starting to hold his own at centre back.

Niall Arthur converted a 65 giving Clare the lead for the first time after 18 minutes. After their early jitters Clare dominated in most aspects from the 10th minute until the end of the half without creating a goal chance.

Tony Kelly sent over a tremendous score with Daire Keane doing likewise two minutes later. The final brace of scores of the half fell to Padraic Mahony (free) as Clare faced the second half  on level terms, 0-6 apiece.

Clare’s half back line were on top for most of the opening half. Daire Keane opened a short lived lead with the first score of the half only for defensive errors in the full back line allowing Stephen Roche the equaliser.

A minute later Prendergast had the Decies back in front. The game’s tempo increased markedly as Waterford went two clear when Eamonn Murphy made no mistake after 36 minutes.

Niall Arthur narrowed the gap to a point before a Clare goal turned the game around. Paudge Collins won the ball to set Daire Keane up whose pass found O’Halloran who lashed the ball to the net through a forest of bodies. Within a minute Niall Arthur got his scoring sights right with a free after a foul on Collins.

Buoyed by their vocal supporters, Waterford fought their way back into the game. Kevin Lynch lost the ball allowing Eamonn Murphy to race through for a low shot past Ronan Taaffe as the Decies were now just behind by the minimum, 1-10 to 1-9, entering the final quarter.

A number of cameos from both sides had supporters cheering as Clare surged five clear, 1-14 to 1-9 with scores between the 47th and 52nd minutes from Niall Arthur (2) and two wonderful efforts courtesy of Tony Kelly and Stephen O’Halloran that had both sides cheering.

Clare were now coasting, on top and looking like champions especially when Daire Keane now moved outfield popped over a point in the 53rd. Tony Kelly raced upfield to set up Jamie Shanahan for a well taken score as Clare now led by 1-16 to 1-10 with five minutes remaining. Waterford’s Jake Dillon responded with a minor but all Clare had to do was guard the goal to be champions.

When the whistle blew Clare’s name was added to the list of Munster Minor hurling champions for just the third time in their history. The champions were well served by Seadna Morey, Paul Flanagan, Enda Boyce, Tony Kelly, David O’Halloran, Niall Arthur and Daire Keane.

Waterford will improve in the knockout stages. They had solid displays from Stephen O’Keeffe, Darragh Fives, Eamonn Murphy, Padraic Mahony and Darren Duggan.

Following the game the Munster Minor hurling cup was presented to team captain Paul Flanagan by another Clareman, Robert Frost, the vice chairman of the Munster Council.

CLARE: Ronan Taaffe, Haulie Vaughan Paul Flanagan, Seadna Morey, Enda Boyce, Kevin Lynch, Stephen O’Halloran (0-1), Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly (0-2), Cathal Malone, Paudge Collins, Jamie Shanahan (0-1), David O’Halloran (1-2), Niall Arthur (0-7), Daire Keane (0-3). Subs: Alan Mulready for Malone. Sub: Cathal O’Connell for Collins,

WATERFORD: Darren Duggan, Jamie Barron, Stephen O’Keeffe, Luke Egan, Raymond Barry, Darragh Fives, Eoin Madigan, Padraic Prendergast (0-1), Gavin O’Brien, Jake Dillon (0-1), Eamonn Murphy (1-2), Padraic Mahoney (0-4) Stephen Roche (0-1), Cormac Heffernan (0-1), Martin O’Neill. Subs: Colm Curran (0-1) for O’Neill, Cein Chester for Roche, Sam Lawless for Prendergast,

Referee: David Copps (Cork).