*Eoin Cleary splits the posts. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’s senior footballers got off the mark in Division 3 of the Allianz National Football League with a comprehensive second round win over Leitrim, Eoin Brennan rates the performances of the Banner’s footballers.
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1. Eamon Tubridy
Has impressively clocked up his step count over the past two matches and while he wasn’t overly troubled in the goal, aside from an excellent prevention of a two-pointer in the second half, he ably assisted the home offence at every available opportunity. The Magpie’s only downside came from choice of restarts as with Barry McNulty dominating the skies, anywhere else but in his vicinity would have been more advisable.
Rating: 7
2. Manus Doherty
Again, not overly stretched defensively but what a threat the Éire Óg star offers in the other direction as his driving runs and link play are almost worth the admission fee alone. His team-mates just need to be aware of keeping three at the back when he goes.
Set the tone with a back-to-front surge to tee up Emmet McMahon for Clare’s opening two-pointer and was still at the same tempo right until the final whistle.
Rating: 8
3. Cillian Brennan
Didn’t get much chance to but when opportunity knocked, he did emulate fellow last line defender Manus Doherty’s relentless itch to race past the halfway line late on, only to be interrupted by a cynical tackle as well the final whistle. However, in the main, the versatile Clondegad man was content to mind the house and ensure that neither of Leitrim’s chief threats Riordan O’Rourke and Keith Beirne could even get close to testing Eamon Tubridy.
Rating: 7
4. Cillian Rouine
Did have a few loose moments late in the third quarter when first a high challenge on Tom Prior earned the Ennistymon defender the first yellow card of the contest while two minutes later, his clearance fell straight to an opposition player. However, the pros far outweighed the cons as Rouine was miserly both as a shadower while his physicality made him an effective combatant especially when things were tight in the opening quarter.
Rating: 7
18. Cillian McGroary
Came in for the injured Brian McNamara who failed to recover from a dead leg suffered in Belfast and really couldn’t have asked for a better game to have made his senior football competitive debut. After all, McGroary and Co. were predominantly on top which allowed the wing-back to operate mainly in the opposition half rather than being on the backfoot. Provided good support play and will get plenty of other opportunities against much stiffer opposition.
Rating: 7
6. Fionn Kelleher
Not as spectacular as his debut in Corrigan Park but another solid performance at both ends of the park for the versatile St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield player. His defensive highlight arrived in a crucial period just after the break when Leitrim were starting to gather momentum as Kelleher tracked back superbly to dispossess the marauding Barry McNulty. At the turn of the final quarter, he earned and quickly took the free that ended with Ikem Ugwueru finding the net.
Rating: 7
7. Alan Sweeney
His 58th minute goal epitomised the real benefit of Sweeney’s experience and willingness to join the attack at every available chance. It stemmed from an Evan Cahill break through the centre with the St Breckan’s man the perfect and sole outlet to finish emphatically to the net amidst a crowd of players. Did give away the opening Leitrim score but made up for it soon afterwards by setting up Daniel Walsh for a like score.
Rating: 7
5. Ikem Ugwueru
Excellent from an attacking perspective as was always a threat and had a major hand in points for Aaron Griffin, Ciaran Downes and late on Emmet McMahon. The goal, while trademark for the Éire Óg star at this stage, was still so majestic as he slalomed past three defenders on his way to billowing the net. However, didn’t fare as well on midfield marker Barry McNulty who utilised his height advantage to dominate the skies and be Leitrim’s most threatening player.
Rating: 7
9. Sean McAllister
Only game number two for last year’s inspirational U20 full-back who is still finding his feet around the centre. Has a lot to offer in terms of support play and tireless energy and also popped up with Clare’s first point of the second half, having already made a great interception before half-time to allow Aaron Griffin to score. However, as a midfield duo, Ugwueru and McAllister won little direct ball so either might form a better partnership with a more dominant aerial winner.
Rating: 7
12. Daniel Walsh
Was initially anticipated to take up a midfield berth as seemingly the most natural physical replacement for Brian McNamara but was equally effective as a roving wing-forward and a consistent chain in the now natural loop around the new 40 metre arc. Was put through for a point at the start of the second quarter by Alan Sweeney so if there’s a criticism, it’s that Clare supporters would like to see more of that direct running from the Kilmurry Ibrickane man.
Rating: 7
11. Emmet McMahon
Formed a great fulcrum to Clare’s attack throughout. As a finisher, the Kildysart star began in scorching form, securing the first two scores including a historic first ever two-pointer for the county in only the sixth minute. Also provided a late handpassed point to flesh out the final margin while was just as effective as a provider for second quarter singles for fellow attackers Eoin Cleary, Aaron Griffin and Ciaran Downes.
Rating: 7
13. Ciaran Downes
As ever, the Kilmihil talisman was full of running and energy but while he wasn’t short of possession, there wasn’t arguably enough cutting edge in his play which is probably a sign that supportersl know that there’s much more potential menace and scores in his locker. Did score the final point of the opening half in injury-time but that was a mere necessity after missing an easier opportunity only minutes earlier.
Rating: 6
15. Keelan Sexton
With surprisingly little direct ball being delivered, the returning Sexton has had to adapt his game accordingly and become as much of a provider as a potential scorer. Won the opening free for Emmet McMahon to convert and directly set up Eoin Cleary for a point before the break before the roles were reversed at the turn of the final quarter. Had a good inter-play with Aaron Griffin in the lead up to the opening goal as well that effectively quenched Leitrim’s mini-revolt.
Rating: 7
14. Aaron Griffin
The scoring stats speak for themselves where Lissycasey’s talisman was concerned as he scored timely points in the first, second and fourth quarters but also was involved in a whopping 1-5 for others. Was excellent for Ikem Ugwueru’s goal when switching the focus of the attack crossfield while his offloads to Emmet McMahon’s two-pointer and Sean McAllister’s first senior score were just as influBlowiential as his own handsome total.
Rating: 8
10. Eoin Cleary
Blowing off the cobwebs in Belfast where he didn’t trouble the scorekeeper, Cusack Park was once more treated to Eoin Cleary at his brilliant best, highlighted by those brace of monster two-pointers in the first half that should arguably have been three with a slice of fortune. Also scored two eye-catching singles too lets not forget while also helped fellow returnee Keelan Sexton to open back up his account too before making way late on.
Rating: 8
Subs:
Subs: Evan Cahill for McAllister (55), Shane Griffin for Cleary (61), Rory McMahon for McGroary (62), Cormac Murray for Sexton (63), Connor Meaney for Sweeney (67)
21. Evan Cahill
What a twelve months it has been for the Under 20 who established himself as a central cog in Kilmurry Ibrickane’s run to a county senior decider and now has also made his inter-county debut at senior level. Showed his potential with a superb burst for the clinching second goal for Alan Sweeney that will ensure further game-time.
Rating: 6
23. Shane Griffin
Got a bit more time to impress than in Belfast but unfortunately passed up a great chance to score his first point of the new season with a late free that drifted wide.
Rating: 5
20. Rory McMahon
It was a memorable day for the McMahon family as Rory joined his younger brother Emmet in a senior competitive match for Clare for the very first time. Came out with a late ball from defence.
Rating: 5
24. Cormac Murray
Was an effective supersub in last year’s National League but wasn’t given long enough to impact so far. Hopefully will get more minutes in the next few outings.
Rating: 5
24. Connor Meaney
Made a great immediate catch when introduced in what was a spectacular start to his National League journey.
Rating: 5
