Clare outclass Antrim while Down fall to Wexford

Clare made it two wins from two in hurling's Division 1B, powering to an impressive 2-30 to 1-19 win over Antrim in Cushendall.

Five years ago, the Banner came unstuck when the sides met in Belfast but there was to be no repeat as they took a grip early and didn't let go against the hosts, who battled well but never really threatened an upset.

In Ballycran, Down's second half surge came up just short as two late points saw Wexford claim a 0-27 to 0-25 win.

The visitors looked well placed when eight ahead at the break before Down fought back to level late on, but they couldn't finish the job as Wexford again found the late answer to deny an Ulster side for the second week running.

Mark Rodgers top-scored with 13 points in a man of the match display for Clare, while goals from Shane Meehan and David Fitzgerald helped Brian Lohan's side to a 14-point win.

Seaan Elliott's 10 points from frees provided the bulk of the Antrim scores with Conal Cunning grabbing a good goal and the returning Kellan Molloy chipped in with points when introduced, but the Saffrons were second best throughout as they fell to a second defeat of the campaign.

Rodgers and Elliott traded early before another from Rodgers began a burst of five Clare scores on the spin.

Antrim grew into it a little with three of the next four as Sean McKay grabbed their first from play and Joe Maskey landed from range, but Clare were beginning to dominate around the middle and Antrim goalkeeper Cormac McFadden was called into action to deny David Reidy from point-blank range.

The gap was four when McFadden saved again, this time from David Fitzgerald, but the goal Clare had been threatening arrived in the 29th minute as Fitzgerald made the break and although he seemed to overcook his hand pass, Shane Meehan gathered and showed composure to steady and drill home.

Clare's shooting was an issue with their wides tally into double figures before half-time, but they did hit a flow before the break as Rodgers brought his first-half tally to eight between play and frees, with Meehan and Fitzgerald also landing.

Seaan Elliott ended a barren 12 minutes for Antrim from a free, while Sean Duffin clipped over just before the break, but Clare held a healthy 1-13 to 0-7 advantage at the interval.

It was a long way back for the hosts, who left a couple of efforts short to begin the second period before Meehan found his range at the other end.

Aside from a Ryan McCambridge point from play, Antrim were relying on Elliott frees early in the second period with Clare having a better spread as Rodgers grew his tally while Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Ryan and Darragh Lohan also contributed.

A second Clare goal arrived in the 55th minute as Fitzgerald cut in from the right and slammed home but Antrim rallied a little and Cunning sped away for a goal of his own soon after.

Antrim substitutes Jack McCloskey and Keelan Molloy found scores, but Clare finished well with the returning Shane O'Donnell on target alongside Dylan McMahon and Seanan Dunford as they maintained their winning start.

It was an even start in Ballycran with the sides level at 0-5 apiece after 10 minutes with Pearse Og McCrickard landing three frees while Ben Taggart and Eoghan Sands were also on target for the hosts.

Wexford's spread was greater with Richie Lawlor, Ross Banville, Kevin Foley and goalkeeper Mark Fanning (free) finding their range before the visitors took a grip with eight of the next nine points.

They continued to dominate going into the half with Foley, Banville, Jack Redmond and free-taker Simon Roche prominent as they built a 0-20 to 0-12 advantage at the interval.

Despite Wexford's Tomas Kinsella registering early in the second period, Down roared back with the next three scores through Niall McFarland, Daithi Sands and Cahal Coleman.

Roche did halt momentum briefly from a free, but Down were into a flow as four points from substitute Paul Sheehan, plus scores from McCrickard and Liam Savage bringing them to within one entering the final quarter.

Roche and Jack Redmond steadied Wexford nerves, but after Donal Hughes and Conor Hearne traded, points from Sheehan, Savage and Daithi Sands tied it up with five to play.

However, the Yellowbellies dug in and Hearne edged them back in front with a Roche free in added time securing a two-point win and another narrow victory over Ulster opposition after their late show against Antrim last week.