Clare stutter past Laois
Clare 1-16 Laois 2-11
The free-taking ability of Seanie McMahon and Tony Carmody rescued Clare this afternoon in Ennis, as their Allianz NHL Division 1A bid got off to a shaky start against plucky Laois.
The visitors - who conceded a total of 10-33 to the Banner men in their league and championship meetings last season - put in a dogged effort, which saw them 1-06 to 0-06 up at the break.
Goalkeeper Patrick Mullaney had helped himself to a 12th-minute goal as he came up from the rear to blast a close-in free past a stranded Philip Brennan.
That put Paudie Butler's men 1-03 to 0-03 in front and they traded points from Damien Walsh and James Walsh (0-02) to a Carmody hat-trick in the closing stages.
Clare - who would the third and last of their league titles in 1978 - came out all guns blazing on the restart and fired over six points - with McMahon on target with three, and Colin Lynch, Conor Plunkett and Carmody also scoring.
Although Laois did level it and went back in front through a Cathal Brophy goal, Clare gradually assumed control with substitute Daithi O'Connell profiting from some lacklustre marking to bag a 66th-minute goal. Another substitute for the home side - Declan O'Rourke had also come on to good effect, scoring three points in an all-action 20-minute cameo.
The goal put them 1-16 to 2-10 in front, and Robert Jones' final point for Laois - who had Canice Coonan top-scoring with 0-04 - proved immaterial.
Clare: Philip Brennan; Conor Harrison, Brian O'Connell, Gerry O'Grady; David Hoey, Sean McMahon (0-04, 0-03 frees, 0-01 65'), Darragh Clancy; Diarmuid McMahon, Gerry Quinn; Frank Lohan (0-01), Conor Plunkett (0-01), Colin Lynch (0-01); Tyrone Kearse (0-01), Tony Griffin, Tony Carmody (0-05, 0-03 frees). Subs used: Declan O'Rourke (0-03) for Plunkett (49 mins), Daithi O'Connell (1-00) for Lohan (52), Brian Lynch for Kearse (58), Colin Forde for Brian O'Connell (60).
Laois: Patrick Mullaney (1-00 free); Brian Campion, Patrick Cuddy, Liam Tynan; Joe Fitzpatrick (0-01), Seamus Dwyer, Michael McEvoy; David Doyle, James Walsh (0-02), Canice Coonan (0-04, 0-03 frees), Damien Walsh (0-01), Eoin Browne; Damien Culleton, Robert Jones (0-02, 0-01 free), Philip Russell (0-01). Subs used: Eamon Jackman for James Walsh (43 mins), Cathal Brophy (1-00) for Doyle (49), Colm Clear for Browne (55).
Referee: John McDonnell (Tipperary)
