Clare 2-27
\nLaois 1-17<\/p>\n
Paul Keane reports from MW Hire O\u2019Moore Park<\/em><\/p>\n CLARE ARE FINALLY up and running in Division 1B of the Allianz NHL after burning off luckless Laois at MW Hire O\u2019Moore Park with a strong second-half display to seal their first win of 2021.<\/p>\n The Banner were missing All-Star Tony Kelly with an apparent dead leg injury and blasted 20 wides overall, 13 in the first-half, but still had more than enough to overcome the hosts.<\/p>\n Shane O\u2019Donnell struck Clare\u2019s first goal in the 10th minute and set up the second for substitute Mark Rodgers in the 48th minute which all but sealed the deal, moving them 11 points clear.<\/p>\n There was a welcome return for experienced midfielder Colm Galvin who came on in the second-half following a long-term groin injury. Aaron Fitzgerald also made his debut for Clare after switching from Colm Collins\u2019 football panel and lasted the duration in defence.<\/p>\n Both sides began at a furious pace with Clare 0-2 to 0-1 ahead after just 70 seconds but all of those wides hurt the visitors who only led by 1-12 to 0-11 at half-time when it should have been more.<\/p>\n \n Clare\u2019s Diarmuid Ryan and Ciaran Collier of Laois.<\/p>\n Source: Brian Reilly-Troy\/INPHO<\/p>\n O\u2019Donnell at least made no mistake with his goal, the 2013 All-Ireland final replay hat-trick hero bursting through a couple of tackles and blasting to the net.<\/p>\n Cathal Malone fired over a series of long-range points for Clare too and they reeled off bursts of 0-4 and then 1-2 without reply in the third quarter of the game to put daylight between the teams.<\/p>\n O\u2019Donnell took off on a similar direct run through the middle for Clare\u2019s second goal before laying off to sub Rodgers who volleyed home.<\/p>\n There was a volleyed goal from Laois too, Ross King netting in the 52nd minute but it was little more than consolation for Seamas Plunkett\u2019s side who slumped to their third straight defeat.<\/p>\n Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 0-13 (0-12f), Mark Rodgers 1-2, Shane O\u2019Donnell 1-1, Cathal Malone 0-4, Diarmuid Ryan 0-2, Ian Galvin 0-2, John Conlon 0-1, Jason McCarthy 0-1, David Fitzgerald 0-1.<\/p>\n Scorers for Laois: PJ Scully 0-10 (0-8f, 0-1 65), Ross King 1-2, Paddy Purcell 0-2, Colm Stapleton 0-1, James Ryan 0-1, Jack Kelly 0-1.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n