Cork 1-20 Clare 0-20: Patrick Horgan fires Rebels to victory over Banner

Peter Duggan of Clare in action against David Griffin of Cork

Cork picked up their first win of the Allianz Hurling League, with a 1-20 to 0-20 win over Clare, with Patrick Horgan hitting 0-16.

Given the back-drop of the controversy surrounding the venue change for the meeting of Cork and Clare, and the fact that the Rebels were rooted to the bottom of the table, it was the home side who were arguably in greater need of a win at Pairc Ui Rinn. Ultimately, that proved crucial down the home straight.

In the first half, Clare looked far sharper than their hosts. It seemed more problems were being unearthed for John Meyler than solved. Horgan's 33rd-minute strike was Cork's first point from play in the tie, as the Glen Rovers' man was the only consistent threat in the Lee-siders' forward unit.

Clare broke into a two-point lead in the early stages, with John Conlon causing the Rebel rearguard issues. Although Jamie Coughlan was unlucky not to find the Clare net after turning Rory Hayes, it was the Banner who dominated the opening of the encounter.

Tony Kelly was characteristically lively in the middle of the park, as Conlon's physicality on the edge of the square was proving too much for Damien Cahalane to handle.

When 2013-Hurler-of-the-Year Kelly gave Clare a 0-6 to 0-3 lead, it looked like the Banner were primed to push on. However, in the 23rd minute Seamus Harnedy sent a long ball into the square, it was spilled and ended up in the net. Goalkeeper Keith Hogan will not want to see the replay.

Nonetheless, while Clare made most of the running, the teams went in level at the break, 1-6 to 0-9.

David Fitzgerald and Daniel Kearney tangle during the tie

The Cork second-half effort was much improved, as their striking was cleaner. With the Clare backs happy to concede frees, Horgan was deadly accurate throughout.

Although Cahalane began to come to terms with last year's All-Star full forward, it was Ian Galvin who did much of the damage up front for the Banner.

The home side grew into the tie as the half wore on. Conor Lehane ran in on goal twice, but was hooked on the first occasion before the whistle was prematurely blown for a Cork free the second time.

While Clare battled on with moments of individual brilliance from Kelly, Horgan's placed balls had the Rebels in front leading down the home stretch.

The Cork sharpshooter's accuracy proved the difference, with the Rebels picking up the two points on offer, deservedly after a strong second-half showing.

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Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)

Attendance: 4,737

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-16 (0-15 frees), Seamus Harnedy 1-1, Tim O'Mahony 0-1, Daniel Kearney 0-1, Jamie Coughlan 0-1.

Scorers for Clare: Tony Kelly 0-6, John Conlon 0-4, Ian Galvin 0-4, Peter Duggan 0-4 (0-3 frees, 0-1 65), Diarmuid Ryan 0-2.

Cork

1. Anthony Nash

2. Sean O'Donoghue

3. Damien Cahalane

4. Stephen McDonnell

5. Christopher Joyce

6. Tim O'Mahony

7. David Griffin

8. Cormac Murphy

9. Bill Cooper

12. Conor Lehane

11. Seamus Harnedy

10. Daniel Kearney

13. Jamie Coughlan

14. Aidan Walsh

15. Patrick Horgan

Subs:

Luke Meade for Cormac Murphy (49)

Darren Browne for David Griffin (60)

Alan Cadogan for Jamie Coughlan (60)

Clare

1. Keith Hogan

4. Jack Browne

3. David McInerney

2. Rory Hayes

5. Cathal Malone

6. Conor Cleary

7. David Fitzgerald

8. Shane Golden

9. Colm Galvin

10. Peter Duggan

11. Tony Kelly

12. Diarmuid Ryan

13. Ian Galvin

14. John Conlon

15. Podge Collins

Subs:

Ryan Taylor for Shane Golden (53)

Colin Guilfoyle for Peter Duggan (62)

Mikey O'Neill for Podge Collins (63)

Aidan McCarthy for David Fitzgerald (64)