*Captain Eoin Cleary in possession for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’S SENIOR FOOTBALLERS have suffered a successive defeat in the Allianz NFL, letting a six point lead slip.
Kildare 0-16
Clare 0-15
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
Just like it was to mark the end of Colm Collins’ first year as manager of the Clare footballers back in 2014, one point separated them from Kildare in Cusack Park in a game they should have secured a victory from.
“Football suicide” is how Collins described it at the final whistle after they were unable to hold onto a six point advantage while a straight red card for Kildare’s Ben McCormack which should have strengthened their cause arguably derailed it.
Collins was not wrong as this was a victory that Clare certainly left behind them. Instead of embracing the extra man, they panicked and retreated into their shells.
Kildare’s comeback coincided with rising tensions on and off the field. The drama was heightened when Stephen Ryan picked up a black card, Clare having used all their substitutes were unable to introduce David Sexton and so Emmet McMahon ended up between the posts.
Discussing a one point defeat was not expected when Gavin Cooney pointed to make it 0-14 0-08 on forty seven minutes. Following McCormack’s red, the tide turned and those in the attendance of 2,692 could sense that a draw was now a very strong possibility.
Little did any of the punters expect that Kildare would kick the final four scores and leave Co Clare as one point winners.
Clare’s scoring drought which lasted twenty two minutes in the half was a key factor to this along with their tendency to reverse in possession rather than driving forward.
Adding to the frustration is how well they played for the opening forty minutes. When Alan Sweeney picked up a black card in the opening half, they responded with 0-03 in a row. It was tense at this stage but Clare always seemed in control and deservingly led 0-11 0-07 at the interval. That they were dominant and managed to veer off curse makes stomaching the result all the more difficult for Collins, the players and management.
As the ball was thrown-in, the way in which Ryan Houlihan kept Podge Collins pinned to the ground indicated it would be a tense affair, the manner in which referee David Murnane failed to discipline Houlihan at that juncture highlighted that decision making was going to be irritating over the hour.
Next up is the tough test of Dublin in Croke Park for Clare’s footballers who will have little time to feel sorry for themselves. On this occasion, Ronan Lanigan, Dermot Coughlan, Eoin Cleary and Ikem Ugwueru impressed for the hosts while Neil Flynn, Kevin Feely and David Hyland were best for the winners.
Scorers Kildare: J Hyland (0-04 4f), N Flynn (0-04 2f), D Flynn (0-02), P Woodgate (0-02 1f), J Robinson (0-01), K Feely (0-01), D Kirwan (0-01), D Hyland (0-01)
Scorers Clare: E Cleary (0-08 6f), E McMahon (0-02 1f), G Cooney (0-02), R Lanigan (0-01), P Collins (0-01), D Coughlan (0-01).
Kildare:
1: Mark Donnellan (Maynooth)
19: Eoin Doyle (Naas)
3: Shea Ryan (Sarsfields)
4: Ryan Houlihan (Moorefield)
5: David Hyland (Athy)
2: Mick O’Grady (C ) (Celbridge)
7: Paddy McDermott (Naas)
18: Kevin Feely (Athy)
9: Kevin O’Callaghan (Celbridge)
20: Paddy Woodgate (Raheens)
11: Kevin Flynn (Celbridge)
24: Ben McCormack (Sarsfields)
15: Jack Robinson (Clogherinkoe)
14: Darragh Kirwan (Naas)
13: Jimmy Hyland (Ballyteague)
Subs:
23: Daniel Flynn (Johnstownbridge) for Robinson (42)
10: Neil Flynn (Maynooth) for Woodgate (44)
6: Darragh Malone (Allenwood) for O’Callaghan (58)
25: Shane O’Sullivan (Clara) for Hyland (66)
Clare:
16: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
4: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg)
5: Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
6: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
7: Alan Sweeney (St Breckans)
8: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
9: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
12: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
11: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
10: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
13: Padraic Collins (Cratloe)
15: Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg)
14: Emmett McMahon (Kildysart)
Subs:
25: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg) for Sweeney (HT)
19: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) for Cooney (47)
23: Brendy Rouine (Ennistymon) for O’Connor (47) (inj)
17: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil) for Coughlan (55)
24: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg) for Doherty (70)
Referee: David Murnane (Cork)
