Galway defeat Clare to advance to All-Ireland SHC semi-finals

A limp first-half display proved too much to overcome for Clare as they bowed out of the All-Ireland SHC with a 2-17 to 0-17 loss to Galway at Semple Stadium.

The Tribesmen now advance to the semi-final in Croke Park on August 14 to face Munster champions Tipperary in a rematch of their scintillating encounter at the same stage last year, which Galway won by 0-26 to 3-16.

Davy Fitzgerald had a minor heart operation in Dublin's St Vincent's Hospital on Wednesday but he was fit enough to travel to Thurles and take his place on the Clare sideline.

The Banner struck first as Tony Kelly converted a short-range free before Johnny Coen - starting at midfield to mark David Reidy - hit back for Galway.

Joseph Cooney then put the Tribesmen ahead with a well-taken score from distance before Joe Canning and Kelly traded frees.  

Colm Galvin struck for the Banner to level matters before Brendan Bugler gave away a cheap foul on Canning and the Portumna man edged Galway back in front.

The game's first goal came in the 16th minute when Conor Cooney burst through the Clare defence and rifled the ball low into the bottom corner.

Galvin replied straight away for Clare but Joseph Cooney soon had his second point and Canning stretched Galway's lead to five points with another free.

Clare looked like they would get a goal of their own in the 26th minute when Kelly broke through on goal but Adrian Tuohy - a late starter at midfield - got back to make a superb hook.

David Burke hit a brilliant score from distance for Galway shortly afterwards before Kelly and Canning traded frees once again.

Canning tacked on two more frees as Galway took full advantage of the strong breeze at their backs in the first half. Kelly hit his first score from play just before the interval to leave seven points between the teams at the break.

Clare needed a fast start to the second half but disaster struck after just 22 seconds when Canning rifled in the second goal of the game after Galway sent the ball forward from the throw-in.

That stretched Galway's lead to ten points but Clare soon cut into it with two more frees from Kelly and a Galvin score.

Canning replied with a free before Aron Shanagher forced a good save from Colm Callanan up the other end after a great catch.

Kelly added another free and set up Galvin for his fourth score of the afternoon as Clare continued to try and chip away at Galway's commanding lead.

Padraic Mannion ventured forward to pop over a point for Galway but Clare answered straight back as Shane O'Donnell won a free for Kelly to pop over.

Substitute Conor McGrath - on for the ineffective Podge Collins - cut the deficit further and the Clare fans were on their feet shortly afterwards when David McInerney pointed from behind his own 45-yard line to put five points between the teams.

Galway needed a point to halt Clare's charge and they got one when Cyril Donnellan scored but McGrath then hit a wonderful score for Clare from the right sideline to remind us why the Cratloe man is regarded as one of the best forwards in the game.

With ten minutes to play, Colin Ryan, on as a Clare substitute, converted a free from his own 65-yard line before Cathal Mannion answered for Galway.

Canning then hit another free after Oisin O'Brien was cautioned for a high challenge on Donnellan before the outstanding Galvin once again scored for Clare with a terrific point from the left sideline.

But Galway kept answering every Clare score and David Burke did so again as he rifled over from 60 yards to leave Clare needing two goals entering injury time.

A Kelly free from 25 yards which was saved by Canning was as close as they came. Ryan and Aidan Harte traded scores but Galway comfortably held on to secure a deserved six-point win.