James Hegarty and Jathan McMahon battle for possession. (Photo : Gerard O'Neill/Clare Echo)
Clonlara’s TUS Clare Senior Hurling Championship group campaign followed a familiar script on Sunday afternoon at Cusack Park: early dominance, a mid-game slump, and a clutch late surge to rescue a vital result.
A rescue mission seemed improbable early on as Clon’ raced seven points clear on the back of sharp attacking play from Michael Collins, Ian Galvin, and Diarmuid Stritch. However, group leaders Inagh Kilnamona fought their way back into contention and turned the tables early in the second half, driven by Aidan McCarthy, Connor Hegarty and Seán Rynne. Trailing by two points as injury time approached—with Ballyea eating into their scoring-difference pressure in the group's other tie—Micheál O’Loughlin held his nerve to slot two late frees and secure a share of the spoils, leaving the final standings intact as Inagh Kilnamona qualify as seeded group winners and Clonlara advance as runners-up.
