Tony Kelly delivered a dozen deadly points as 14-man Clare recorded a 0-18 to 0-15 victory over Wexford in Wexford Park.

This was a fantastic display from Brian Lohan’s charges, who responded superbly when asked questions in the final quarter, Kelly landing two timely strikes from play when the pressure was really on.

Despite a spirited second-half revival from Davy Fitzgerald’s Leinster champions, they were second best as Clare led throughout, Kelly’s brilliance more than compensating for the first-half dismissal of captain John Conlon.

It was all Clare before the break and they were full value for their eight-point interval advantage, 0-12 to 0-4.

The Banner County suffered a blow when Conlon was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Kevin Foley seven minutes from the break, but – wind at their backs – the visitors had started brightest and led by double scores when Kelly fired over a 33rd-minute free, 0-8 to 0-4. Kelly (2), David Fitzgerald and Shane O’Donnell added late points before the short whistle as the winners turned around with a comfortable advantage.

By the time the Model County opened their account through Jack O’Connor in the 13th minute, the Banner already has six on the board, Fitzgerald opening the scoring inside the first minute and Ryan Taylor also chipping in with a score as Kelly nonchalantly kept the scoreboard ticking over from placed balls.

A couple of Jack O’Connor frees had the hosts back within three when Conlon was sent off but the red card only seemed to encourage Clare, who outscored their hapless opponents by six points to one in the ten minutes or so before the interval.

Wexford started the second half more brightly and a rapid run of points from Paudie Foley, Rory O’Connor (2), Jack O’Connor and goalkeeper Mark Fanning – from play, from inside his own half! – suddenly had their arrears back to three.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, a Kelly free finally got the Banner moving again – 0-13 to 0-9. Conor McDonald pulled back a brace either side of one from Paul Morris, the minimum now separating them, Liam Og McGovern cancelling out Kelly’s next free.

With seven minutes remaining, Fitzgerald doubled the visitors’ lead and the gap was still two with as many minutes left following an exchange of frees between Kelly and Paudie Foley. Then, up popped the former Hurler of the Year with a timely and magnificent point from play

That was, poignantly, the final score.

Clare - D Tuohy; C Cleary, J Browne, E Quirke; S O'Halloran, P O'Connor, A McCarthy; D McInerney, T Kelly (0-12, 10f); D Reidy, D Fitzgerald (0-3), I Galvin; R Taylor (0-2), J Conlon, S O'Donnell (0-1). Subs: D McMahon for I Galvin, S Morey for R Taylor, C Malone for D Reidy, L Corry for E Quirke, A Shanagher for S O'Donnell.

Wexford - M Fanning (0-1); Joe O'Connor, L Ryan, S Reck; D Reck, P Foley (0-3f), S Murphy; L Og McGovern (0-1), K Foley; A Rochford (0-1), R O'Connor (0-2), Jack O'Connor (0-4, 3f); C Dunbar, C McDonald (0-2), P Morris (0-1). Subs: A Nolan for L Og McGovern, H Kehoe for D Reck.

Referee - S Cleere.

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