BANNER RAISED

Lohan’s men continue fine run against Cats as Kelly’s double sets them up for summer

- SEAMUS HAYES

THERE may not have been anything at stake in terms of league positions at Cusack Park but both teams were clearly keen to put on an impressive performance.

The 200 spectators permitted certainly got an entertaining afternoon’s action.

The victory marked Clare’s third League win in a row after a poor start to the campaign when they lost their opening two outings to Antrim and Wexford and it also continued their recent good run of results against Kilkenny.

There will be a concern, however, at the loss of Aaron Fitzgerald and David McInerney to injury, the latter having his first start of the season having recovered from a quad injury that had kept him out of the team to date.

A brace of Tony Kelly goals at either side of the first water break, the second coming from a penalty, helped the Banner side to a one-point interval lead, 2-9 to 0-14.