In local sports news, the Clare senior footballers are now just one win away from sealing a spot in the Division Four Final and with it, promotion to Division Three. They were comfortable 3-21 to 2-10 winners over Carlow in Cusack Park yesterday. They didn’t have it all their own way though, and led by just three points at half time, 1-10 to 2-04. Clare were made to work very hard in the opening half, as two Carlow goals put the pressure on the Banner. David Tubridy was once more Clare’s scorer in chief, and his goal in the 8th minute saw Clare leading 1-2 to no score. Carlow bounced back well though, and struck for a goal of their own 10 minutes later before Shane Hickey was sent off on a black card and Carlow converted the resulting penalty to leave just a point between the sides approaching half time. David Tubridy and Martin O’Leary pointed for Clare to leave the home side ahead by three points at the break. Clare began the second half brightly, and when Martin O’Leary pounced for a goal, they led by 2-17 to 2-7. Clare pushed on from here, and captain Gary Brennan put the icing on the cake with a well taken goal three minutes from time. The final score of Clare 3-21 Carlow 2-10 means that Clare are now in pole position to qualify for the decider and gain promotion. They travel to take on Antrim in Creggan next Sunday in the knowledge that either a draw or a win will be enough to seal that spot. Wicklow are now the only side that can scupper Clare’s hopes, as they face newly promoted Tipperary in their final game. Should Clare fail to get a result on Sunday, and Wicklow overcome Tipp, then it will be the Leinster men who go through. Meanwhile in local club action this weekend, the second round of the O’Gorman Cup was played on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. In Group 1, Miltown overcame Ennistymon by 1-10 to 0-9 under light in Miltown on Friday night, O’Currys were comfortable 1-12 to 0-6 winners over Lissycasey on Saturday, Doonbeg beat St Josephs Doora Barefield by 1-12 to 2-5. In Group Two, Kilmurry Ibrickane beat Cooraclare 1-12 to 2-3, and Clondegad beat Eire Óg 2-7 to 0-11. Kilmihil versus Kilrush was postponed. In hurling action, Clare were made to work extremely hard to book their place in the Allianz National Hurling League semi final as they overcame a spirited Laois outfit by 2-23 to 2-19. It was far from plain sailing for Davy Fitz’s side, as they were forced to dig deep to beat a Laois side who were reduced to 14 men midway through the opening half. Laois stunned the All Ireland champions in the opening 15 minutes, and lead by 1-2 to 0-3 inside the opening ten minutes. Laois corner forward Tommy Fitzgerald capitalised on an error in the Clare defence to create the opportunity for Neil Foyle to bury to the back of the Clare net. Clare responded in good fashion to lead by 0-09 to 1-3 after 19 minutes. Laois were then reduced to 14 men when wing back Tom Delaney was shown a straight red card for an incident which left John Conlon in need of treatment. This seemed to galvanise the O’Moore Men, and they drew level as the game approached half time. Then came a big turning point in the game. Clare goalie Patrick Kelly made a good save from Neil Foyle, and from the resultant clearance, Conor Ryan fed Conor McGrath and he found Shane O’Donnell who raised the first of his two green flags for the afternoon. That left Clare with a bit of breathing space at half time, leading 1-12 to 1-9. Clare stormed out of the blocks in the second half, as Colin Ryan once again gave an exhibition of free taking to leave Clare leading by 1-15 to 1-10 after 42 minutes. Enter that man O’Donnell again. McGrath was once again the provider, O’Donnell was once again the finisher. Clare now led by 2-15 to 1-11, and looked comfortable. Credit to Laois, they refused to throw in the towel, and with three minutes to go, they struck for a second goal to leave just two points between the sides at 2-21 to 2-19. Tony Kelly and Colin Ryan pointed once more for Clare to leave the final scoreline Clare 2-23 Laois 2-19. After the game Clare boss Davy Fitzgerald said that he felt his side were a bit complacent and in need of freshening up. Clare will face Tipperary in the League semi-final as the Premier overcame Cork in Thurles yesterday by 3-25 to 4-19. Kilkenny face Galway in the other semi-final after victories over Wexford and Limerick respectively. Details of these fixtures are expected to be announced this evening. It was also a good day for the Clare ladies football team who beat Westmeath in Cooraclare yesterday by the slenderest of margins, 3-8 to 1-13. Clare trailed by 0-6 to 0-3 at half time, but second half goals from Eimear Considine, Louise Woods and Aoife Keane sealed victory for the Banner. Finally in local soccer action, it was a good weekend for West Clare FC as they advanced to the 4th Round of the Clare Cup with a 4-0 victory away to Ruan United yesterday. Kilrush Rangers game at home to Hermitage B was postponed. Next weekend sees the highly anticipated clash of Kilrush Rangers and West Clare FC in the Third Division League in Kilrush. The game is scheduled for a 6.30 kick-off in Kilrush on Friday night.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 12:54:53 +0000
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