Clare 2-20 Down 0-6 DESPITE being beaten by 20 points, Down manager Gerard Monan expressed satisfaction with his side's performance in the opening game in Division Two of the Allianz hurling league.
The Mourne men recorded 20 wides at Cusack Park yesterday and they certainly should have recorded a bigger tally.
"The scoreboard looks bad but we had a lot of wides," said Monan, inset.
"Fellas worked hard and never dropped the heads and they responded in the right way. They spent six hours in the bus on Saturday.
"Playing here in Cusack Park is fantastic experience for these Down players and hopefully we will learn from this."
links of london charms A contribution of 2-10 from full forward Mark Flaherty played a huge part in Clare's win as they set out on a road that they hope will lead to a quick return to Division One.
The winners dominated the early exchanges and were 0-6 to 0-0 in front after 15 minutes. The wides were already mounting up for the visitors, who had half a dozen in the first quarter.
Clare had added a further two points to their tally before Down opened their account, in the 22 minute, with a Paul Braniff effort.
Clare could and should have had a couple of goals to their credit at that stage but a combination of poor finishing and some outstanding goalkeeping from Graham Clarke meant that they had to wait until four minutes from the half-time whistle for their first goal, which came from Flaherty.
That score helped them to a 1-13 to 0-4 half-time lead and they were well on their way to collecting the points at this stage.
The standard of play in the second half deteriorated and there were just four points in the third quarter, three of which were for Clare.
Clip on charms Paul Braniff saw his effort for a goal from a 25-metre free rebound off the crossbar with the Clare defence beaten but despite exerting a bit of pressure, they never really threatened the Banner goal again.
In the final couple of minutes Clare added 1-2 with the goal coming from Flaherty in between points from Diarmuid McMahon and Martin 'Ogie' Murphy. Cian Dillon, James McInerney, Alan Brigdale and Sean Collins gave most support to the game's top scorer Flaherty.
Down's best were goalkeeper Clarke, who certainly saved his side from a much heavier defeat, Conor Woods and Paul Braniff.
CLARE: P. Brennan; B.Bugler, C. Dillon, A. Brigdale; D. O'Donovan, J. McInerney, P. Donnellan (0-1) B.
O'Connell (0-1) Capt. N. O'Connell; S. Collins (0-2) F. Lynch, J. Clancy (0-3); D. Honan; M. Flaherty (2-10, 0-9 frees); M. Murphy (0- 2); Subs - J. Conlon for Clancy; C. Ryan for N. O'Connell; D.McMahon (0-1) for Lynch; D. Barrett for Collins DOWN: G.Clarke; L. Clarke, F.Conway, S. Ennis; M. Thomas sabo charms Teague, C. Woods (0-1) C. Coulter; K. McGarry, C. O'Prey; P. Keith, B. Ennis, P. Braniff (0-4, 2 frees); J. Coyle (0-1) G. Johnston, E. Clarke; Subs - J. McCusker for Coyle; P. Flynn for Teague; E McGuinness for Keith; M. Hughes for L. Clarke REFEREE: Michael Haverty (Galway).
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