Galway second best against goal-hungry Banner

All-Ireland U-20 Hurling Championship Final

Clare 4-20

Galway 2-16

At Semple Stadium

GALWAY'S challenge to bridge a 14-year gap ran aground in this afternoon's All-Ireland U-20 Hurling Championship final against a dominant performance from goal-hungry Clare.

Towering full-forward Thomas O'Connor netted twice and Jamie Moylan and Marco Cleary once as the Banner men continued their flawless record in national deciders at the grade following on from previous successes in 2009, '12, '13 and '14.

Despite playing catch-up from the fourth minute, Galway fought the good fight and struck for final quarter goals through Brian Callanan and Jason Rabbitte. But the margin never dipped below nine points as Terence Fahy's side held firm in defence behind impressive 'keeper Mark Sheedy.

Plenty of pre-match speculation centred around the involvement of Galway senior stars Jason Rabbitte and Niland. Rabbitte came into the team from the start, while Niland was held in reserve after his recent ankle injury sustained against Dublin.

Thomas O'Connor's goal in the fourth minute gave Clare an early boost and after Moylan pounced for their second green flag in the 30th minute, Clare went in with a 2-8 to 0-9 interval advantage.

Upper hand

Their defence held the upper hand on Galway with two points each for Brian Callanan and Rabbitte their only concessions from play from attackers. Free-taker Jack Shaughnessy and midfielders Michael Burke and Cullen Killeen accounted for the remainder of Galway's first half scores.

Clare, in contrast, had a much wider spread of marksmen with midfielder Graham Ball and forwards Michael Collins, Paul Rodgers and Cleary all on target along with the excellent Fred Hegarty.

The key moment came when wing-back Jamie Moylan powered onto a neat pass from Rodgers before breaking clear of the Galway cover to blast home. It amounted to a major blow to Galway's chances on the cusp of the break.

Clare picked up where they left off after the restart with goals from O'Connor in the 36th minute and Cleary in the 38th minute. It completed an unbroken run of 3-3 without reply either side of the break as Galway's deficit grew to 13 points.

Aaron Niland had entered the fray by then and his close-range free was kept out before Sheedy also saved well from Rabbitte. Niland and Ciarán Leen found the target for the Leinster champions, but with Fred Hegarty keeping Clare's tally ticking over, Galway were always at arm's length.

Brian Callanan pulled a goal back as the scoreline stood at 4-15 to 1-15 on 53 minutes before Clare hit for home with five points without answer as Ronan Kilroy, Fred Hegarty, Seán Boyce and Jamie Moylan all tallied.

Rabbitte was Galway's best player in defeat and his late goal marked a consolation before Clare completed a rare minor and U-20 All-Ireland double three years apart.

CLARE: Mark Sheedy; Eoghan Gunning (captain), Robert Loftus, Matthew O'Halloran; Jamie Moylan (1-1), James Hegarty, Ryan Hayes; Daniel Costello, Graham Ball (0-1); Ronan Kilroy (0-2), Michael Collins (0-2), Fred Hegarty (0-7, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65); Marco Cleary (1-2), Thomas O'Connor (2-0), Paul Rodgers (0-4, 0-1 sideline cut). Subs: Darren Moroney, for Costello, 48 mins; Ronan Keane, for Hayes, 49 mins; Seán Boyce (0-1), for O'Connor, 56 mins; Jack Mescall, for Collins, 60+1 mins; Seán Arthur, for Cleary, 60+1 mins.

GALWAY: Chris Callanan; Thomas Blake, Ed O’Reilly, Mikey Fallon; Jonah Donnellan, Donnacha Campbell (captain), Gavin Maher; Michael Burke (0-1), Cullen Killeen (0-1); Luke Kennedy, Darragh Counihan, Jack Shaughnessy (0-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65); Jason Rabbitte (1-2), Brian Callanan (1-2), Vince Morgan. Subs: Aaron Niland (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 65) for Killeen inj., 33 mins; Gearóid King, for Campbell, 36 mins; Seán Moran, for Burke, 43 mins; Ciarán Leen (0-1), for Kennedy, 48 mins; Ronan Cahalan for Maher, 52 mins.

REFEREE: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin).