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April 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway)

Competition:

Munster Senior Hurling Championship

Description:

Clare defeated Waterford by 2-33 to 4-21 in Round 1 of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday April 19th at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg.

Match Highlights

Munster SHC: Clare win thrilling opener

Clare 2-33 Waterford 4-21

Report By Cian O’Connell at Ziomer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg for GAA.ie

The drama. An absorbing Munster SHC opener unfolded in Ennis with Clare surviving despite a defiant Waterford display.

Substitute Shane Meehan’s goal deep into stoppage proved to be the final blow in a game that raged. Waterford’s grit and determination was admirable, but Clare still found a way in front of 18,338 spectators.

So much happened. Sean Rynne nailed five points, Tony Kelly dashed about clipping four, a tally matched by the ever dependable Shane O’Donnell, who was relevant to the narrative always.

At the opposite end of the field the metronomic Stephen Bennett finished with a remarkable 3-12 haul, and still ended up on the losing side. It was that sort of game. Austin Gleeson made a welcome return to the inter-county fold, mining two points, but it still wasn’t enough. Brian Lohan’s team prevailed.

Unsurprisingly, the opening period commenced at a decent clip with Waterford eager to make an impact against the locals, who’d generated momentum winning Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League.

When the industrious Seán Rynne whipped over a fine point to edge Clare 0-4 to 0-3 ahead in the 10th minute, Waterford summoned a response.

Stephen Bennett reacted promptly after his initial effort was saved by Eibhear Quilligan to rattle the net from the rebound.

Clare reeled off three points on the spin courtesy of Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers (free), and Diarmuid Ryan, but Waterford pounced again.

Niall O’Farrell fouled Seán Walsh and from the resultant penalty Bennett struck again, edging Waterford 2-3 to 0-7 ahead.

It remained keenly contested and hard fought with Waterford 2-8 to 0-13 in front in first half stoppage time.

Rodgers subsequently rifled over a couple of frees to ensure Clare led by the minimum, 0-15 to 2-8, at the turnaround. Delicately poised, it most certainly was.

When the action recommenced there was no let up. Rodgers pass released Peter Duggan to scored a goal. Before Rodgers added a score from a free, Adam Hogan had thwarted Walsh with a sweet block.

Chances continued to be crafted. Billy Nolan’s long free caused panic with Bennett profiting to complete his hat-truck on 42. That goal had Waterford back to within three, 1-18 to 3-9.

Midway through the second period Clare scored six unanswered points to move 1-27 to 3-12 clear. That appeared to be a healthy cushion, but Waterford just kept battling.

Hutchinson and Callum Lyons were involved in the build up to Seán Walsh’s 63rd minute goal. When Bennett tapped over a free seconds later, Clare’s advantage stood at 1-30 to 4-18.

From then until the end it stayed alive. Only three divided the teams when Waterford replacement Patrick Curran had an attempt repelled by Quilligan.

Bennett narrowed the gap with a free, but Tony Kelly fired over a trademark score to settle the nerves.

Then, Meehan’s major sealed the deal.

Scorers for Clare: Mark Rodgers 0-11 (10fs, 1 65), Sean Rynne 0-5, Peter Duggan 1-1, Tony Kelly and Shane O’Donnell 0-4 each, Shane Meehan 1-0, Diarmuid Stritch 0-3, Darragh Lohan and Diarmuid Ryan 0-2 each, Ryan Taylor 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett 3-12 (1-0 pen, 12fs), Dessie Hutchinson 0-4, Sean Walsh 1-0, Jamie Barron and Austin Gleeson 0-2 each, Peter Hogan 0-1.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Rory Hayes, Conor Cleary, Adam Hogan; Diarmuid Ryan, Niall O’Farrell, Cathal Malone; Ryan Taylor, Darragh Lohan; Tony Kelly, David Reidy, Seán Rynne; Mark Rodgers, Peter Duggan, Shane O’Donnell.
Subs: Conor Leen for Hogan (22-28), Diarmuid Stritch for Reidy (50), Conor Leen for Hayes (58), Shane Meehan for O’Donnell (62), Ian Galvin for Rynne (66), Ronan Kilroy for Hogan (68).

Waterford: Billy Nolan; Ian Kenny, Mark Fitzgerald, Aaron O’Neill; Jack Fagan, Paddy Leavey, Shane Bennett; Calum Lyons, Darragh Lyons; Michael Kiely, Jamie Barron, Jack Prendergast; Stephen Bennett, Seán Walsh, Dessie Hutchinson.
Subs: Peter Hogan for Shane Bennett (41), Austin Gleeson for Kiely (47), Kevin Mahony for D Lyons (54), Patrick Curran for Barron (67).

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway).

Ticket Information

Due to early returns, terrace tickets for both of next Sunday’s Munster SHC Round 1 games in Ennis and Thurles respectively will go on sale at 12 noon today (Tuesday) via Ticketmaster and participating Centra and SuperValu outlets.

Team News

Clare: Éibhear Quilligan, Rory Hayes, Conor Cleary, Adam Hogan, Diarmuid Ryan, Niall O’Farrell, Cathal Malone, Darragh Lohan, Tony Kelly, Peter Duggan, Ryan Taylor, Seán Rynne, Shane Meehan, Mark Rodgers, David Reidy.
Substitutes: Eamonn Foudy, John Conlon, Shane O’Donnell, Cian Galvin, Jack O’Neill, David Fitzgerald, David McInerney, Ian Galvin, Conor Leen, Senan Dunford.

Waterford: Billy Nolan (Roanmore), Ian Kenny (Ballygunner), Mark Fitzgerald (Passage), Aaron O’Neill (Ballygunner), Calum Lyons (Ballyduff Lower), Paddy Leavy (Ballygunner), Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart), Darragh Lyons (Dungarvan), Jack Prendergast (Lismore), Jack Fagan (De La Salle), Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart), Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater), Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner), Sean Walsh (Fourmilewater), Michael Kiely (Dungarvan).
Substitutes: Alex Reade (Ballyduff Lower), Conor Keane (De La Salle), Brian Lynch (Clashmore‑Kinsalebeg), Kieran Bennett (Ballysaggart), Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion), Peter Hogan (Ballygunner), Kevin Mahony (Ballygunner), Patrick Curran (Dungarvan), Seamus Fitzgerald (Killrossanty), Tadhg de Búrca (Clashmore‑Kinsalebeg).

Clare v Waterford

Clare and Waterford did not meet in this year’s Allianz League, with Waterford competing in Division 1A and Clare in Division 1B, meaning this will be their first major clash since last year’s Munster Championship.

That encounter took place in Walsh Park, where Waterford emerged eight-point winners in the Munster round-robin series.

Last Five Championship Meetings

  • 2025: Waterford 2-23 Clare 0-21 (Munster Round Robin)
  • 2024: Clare 4-21 Waterford 2-26 (Munster Round Robin)
  • 2023: Clare 2-22 Waterford 0-16 (Munster Round Robin)
  • 2022: Clare 3-31 Waterford 2-22 (Munster Round Robin)
  • 2021: Clare 1-22 Waterford 0-21 (Munster Quarter-Final)

Match Facts

  • Waterford’s win over Clare in last year’s Munster Championship was their first Championship victory over the Banner County since 2016. In the intervening period, Clare had won all six meetings.
  • Waterford recorded two wins and four defeats in Division 1A of this year’s Allianz League, resulting in relegation alongside Offaly.
  • Clare won all six of their Division 1B group fixtures and maintained their unbeaten League run with a victory over Dublin in the final.
  • Brian Lohan is in his seventh season as Clare manager, while Peter Queally is in his second year in charge of Waterford.

Match Day Information

Key Times

  • Stiles Open: 12.00 hrs
  • Throw-In: 14.00 hrs – Munster Senior Hurling Championship, Round 1

Parking Information

  • No parking is permitted in the immediate vicinity of the grounds, except for holders of special parking passes.
  • Parking passes for Glór Theatre and Clare FM studios must access the area via the Causeway Link Road only (Templegate Roundabout).
  • Vehicles with these passes should arrive before 13.00 hrs.
  • Pedestrian traffic will be given priority after the game. Vehicles within the cordon area may be required to wait for up to 40 minutes before being permitted to move off.

Access to Ennis

Supporters can access Ennis via the following motorway junctions:

  1. Junction 11 (Dromoland)
  2. Junction 12 (Clareabbey)
  3. Junction 13 (Tulla Road) – heaviest traffic congestion expected pre‑ and post‑match
  4. Junction 14 (Barefield) – lightest traffic volumes expected

Post‑match egress is recommended via Junctions 12 and 14.

Parking Facilities

Ample parking is available relatively close to the stadium at the following locations:

  • Clare County Council Offices, New Road, Ennis – V95 DXP2 (Free)
  • Clare Marts – V95 APF2 (Free)
  • Holy Family School, Station Road, Ennis – V95 YR79 (Paid parking – nominal €5, supervised)
  • Abbey Street / Parnell Street / Market Car Parks
  • Legal on‑street parking where available

Disability / Mobility Parking:
A limited number of disability parking passes are available and issued by the Clare and Waterford County Boards.

Traffic Restrictions Close to Grounds

  • No match traffic will be permitted to access Francis Street except for permit/pass holders.
  • Vehicle access to Francis Street from Clon Road will be restricted to residents and vehicles accessing Tesco and Aldi only.
  • Shopper vehicle access may be restricted during peak supporter movement times: 13.00–14.00 hrs and 15.30–17.00 hrs.
  • Parking on Tulla Road inbound will be fully restricted to facilitate post‑match egress to Junction 13.

Traffic Enforcement

  • Illegal parking may result in a Fixed Charge Notice and/or towing where deemed necessary.
  • Particular Garda attention will be paid to poor parking in residential areas off New Road, Lifford Road, Clon Road and Tulla Road.
  • Vehicles parked in the vicinity of Garda “No Parking” cones will receive a fixed charge penalty notice.

Ticket Entry Points

Stile numbers are clearly marked on each ticket:

  • Stiles 1–20: Tesco side – Francis Street
  • Stiles 21–24: Friary Lane (opposite the Poor Clares), Francis Street
  • Stiles 25–40: Garda Station side – Abbey Street

Terrace & Stand Access

  • North Terrace / Stand: Stiles 1–6 (Tesco side) and 33–40 (Garda Station side)
  • East Terrace (Aldi): Stiles 7–14
  • South Seated Stand / Sideline: Stiles 15–20 (Tesco side) and 21–24 (Friary side)
  • West Terrace (Cloister): Stiles 25–32 (Garda Station side)

Alcohol & Prohibited Items

Alcohol:
Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg is an alcohol‑free venue. Patrons who present at the stiles intoxicated or in possession of alcohol will be refused entry under stadium regulations and Sections 21 and 22 of the Public Order Act 1994.

Flares & Smoke Bombs:
Patrons attempting to enter the grounds with pyrotechnics will be refused entry. Any person found igniting a flare or smoke bomb inside the stadium will be ejected and may be prosecuted under Section 68(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, carrying a fine of up to €2,500 and/or up to six months imprisonment.

Broadcast Details:

Venue:

  • Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg