Tony Kelly is up there with the most skilful hurlers to ever pick up a camรกn. The Ballyea wizard lights up the field of play every time he lines out, and Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League meeting between Clare and Galway was no different.
The 2013 Hurler of the Year was central to everything positive that the Banner County produced throughout the contest.
In what was surely the moment of the match, Kelly picked out teammate Cathal Malone with a remarkable assist for a first-half point.
Kelly had a side-line in his own half of the field, and spotted the run of Malone through the middle of the park. He executed it to perfection, landing the sliotar in the perfect spot to fall into the path of Malone, who duly stormed forward and put it over the bar.
Not many players can execute a pass like that with such a degree of precision!
Despite bursting into a 0-8 to 0-1 lead, Clare were unable to sustain those levels. And Henry Shefflin’s side mounted a comeback, and a second-half Conor Whelan goal helped them to a 1-24 to 0-22 victory.
After Sunday’s defeat, Clare’s hopes of securing a Division 1 semi-final berth were dealt a setback. They finish their group stage campaign at home to Cork next weekend.
Brian Lohan and Co will have one eye on their Munster Championship opener, with Tipperary visiting Cusack Park, Ennis on the opening weekend of the round robin.
