*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CONCEDING FOUR GOALS accelerated Clare’s downfall as the county footballers found themselves unable to put back to back wins together.
Meath 4-8
Clare 0-16
Venue: Páirc Tailteann, Navan
Goals win games and this was certainly the case in Navan this Sunday afternoon when Meath overcame Clare in the second round of the Allianz National Football League.
The Royals found the net on four occasions which left the visitors with a mountain to climb and while the Banner men did battle to the finish and kick some great points in the process, they failed to recover from Meath’s majors.
Three goals in the first quarter left Clare with a lot to do on a day when they failed to capitalise on some good chances created, especially on the second quarter when they enjoyed the better of matters.
Defensive errors led to a couple of the goals, particularly two in the space of a minute at the mid point of the opening half at which stage it was 3-2 to 0-2.
The visitors certainly enjoyed the better of matters in the second quarter when they landed five unanswered points to rally to within four points but the home side had the final say when Jordan Morris pointed to leave the half time score at 3-3 to 0-7.
Clare were dealt a huge blow before throw in when team captain Eoin Cleary was ruled out due to illness. He was replaced in attack by Ciaran Downes.
With Darren O’Neill and Keelan Sexton absent due to injuries suffered in the win over Louth, they, suffered a further setback midway through the second half when Cathal O’Connor picked up a black card which left Clare a man down for ten minutes.
During this time Meath struck for their fourth goal which came from Jason Scully and they followed with a point to go nine clear with ten minutes remaining.
Clare, again, stormed back and in the remaining time they landed five unanswered points but, at the end of the day, the concession of those goals proved costly.
Playing against a fresh breeze Clare struggled in the opening quarter and the concession of three goals, two coming in the space of a minute at the mid point of the half, proved costly and left them with a lot to do.
As they have done often in the past, Clare responded impressively to those setbacks and they had the upperhand in the second quarter when they kicked five unanswered points.
The visitors turned over possession on a number of occasions and would not have been flattered had they got a better return from the possession they enjoyed.
The woodwork denied them on two occasions while a bit of inexperience also proved costly.
Ahead of their round three game when they entertain Kildare, Clare will be hoping to tighten up in their last line of defence and also improve on their finishing at the other end.
Cian O’Dea, Cathal O’Connor, who was the captain in the absence of Cleary, and Podge Collins worked extremely hard throughout.
Scorers Meath: D Lenihan (2-2 2f); J. Morris (1-2); J. Scully (1-1)J. O.Connor, D. McGowan, D. Campion (0-1) each
Scorers Clare: E. McMahon (0-5 3f); G. Cooney (0-3); M.McInerney (0-2); J. Malone, D
Coughlan A. Griffin, P. Lillis, P. Collins, D.Bohannon (0-1) each
Meath
1: Harry Hogan
2: Adam O’Neill
3: Michael Flood
4: Cathal Hickey
18: Harry Higgins
6: Donal Keogan
23: Jack O’Connor
8: Ronan Jones
9: Daithi McGowan
10: Cillian O’Sullivan
11: Jason Scully
12: Darragh Campion
13: Jordan Morris
24: Donal Lenihan
15: Shane Walsh
Subs:
14: Diarmuid Moriarty for Walsh(inj., 10)
21: Brian Conlon for McGowan (50)
19: Shane Crosby for Campion(58)
22: Shane McEntee for Scully (66)
Clare
1: David Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
4: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg)
7: Alan Sweeney (St Breckans)
5: Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
6: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
9: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
8: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
10: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
18: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil)
12: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
13: Podge Collins (Cratloe)
14: Emmett McMahon (Kildysart)
15: Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg)
Subs:
20: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) for Downes(half time)
25: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg) for Coughlan (50)
26: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Sweeney (61)
23: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg) for Cooney (60)
22: Dan Keating (Kilmihil) for O’Connor (62)
Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)
