*Pearse Lillis on the charge for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
IF CLARE ARE to continue in Division 2 of the Allianz National Football League, they must win their remaining two games and even that may not be enough.
Cork 3-10
Clare 1-8
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
That’s the position the Banner senior footballers find themselves in after their round five loss to Cork at Cusack Park this Sunday afternoon, their heaviest defeat of the campaign to date.
This was a game of two halves and Clare’s second half display simply wasn’t good enough to earn the victory that looked likely to happen after they had ended the opening half a point to the good having played against the wind.
To be fair credit must go to Cork for the manner in which they upped their game after the break. “We weren’t a bit happy with what happened in the first half. We were fairly disgusted at half time but we said to the lads that it was time to get the lead out. We looked to be in a bit of bother as we would be facing the wind a point down. We just tore into it, whatever tactics you have you can throw them out the window. It was either get stuck in or go down the road with our tails between our legs”, commented Cork manager John Cleary after the game.
“We said a few words at half time and the message got across to them. We missed a lot of chances, we missed a penalty and maybe four goal chances. We are doing that every day”, the West Cork man added
Before an attendance of 2,596 which included GAA president Larry McCarthy and Tánaiste Micheal Martin (FF) whose son Micheal was the Cork goalkeeper, Clare appeared to be in a strong position at the half way point as they led by a point after playing against the breeze.
They got a great boost at the start of the second half when goalkeeper Stephen Ryan saved a penalty from Cork captain Brian Hurley but from then on the visitors held the upperhand.
Second half goals from Matty Taylor and Sean Powter who also found the net in the opening half, steered the Leesiders to victory and away from the relegation zone.
Scores weren’t that plentiful in the opening half and the first quarter produced just three scores.
Emmett McMahon opened the scoring with a Clare point after five minutes but Cork hit the front four minutes later when Sean Powter goaled.
A foul on Keelan Sexton resulted in a penalty for Clare after fourteen minutes and Sexton found the net as Cork were reduced to fourteen men as Daniel O’Mahoney was shown a black card after being penalised for the foul on Sexton.
Clare went on to lead 1-4 to 1-3 at the interval and there was an air of confidence amongst their supporters that victory could be achieved
Cork stepped up considerably on their first half performance after the break and they picked off some great scores while, on the other half, Clare were guilty of poor shooting. They hit eight wides in the second period, six more than the winners in a tie in which Matty Taylor, Ruairi Deane, Ian Maguire, Sean Powter and Chris Óg Jones were particularly prominent for the visitors.
Early second half points from Eoghan McSweeney and Conor Corbett were followed by a goal from wing back Matty Taylor and Cork were now four points clear just eight minutes into the half.
A brace of Eoin Cleary points in as many minutes gave Clare hope but Ruairi Deane and McSweeney responded for the visitors who led 2-7 to 1-6 entering the final quarter
Powter’s second goal ten minutes from time left Clare with mountain to climb and while they outscored their opponents in the closing minutes, their efforts in the previous two weeks had clearly taken a toll and they were unable to match the swift movement of the winners.
Cillian Brennan, Stephen Ryan, Pearse Lillis and Manus Doherty were Clare’s best on the day
Scorers Cork: Sean Powter (2-00), Brian Hurley (0-03 3f), Eoghan McSweeney (0-02), Chris Óg Jones (0-02), Conor Corbett (0-01), John O’Rourke (0-01).
Scorers Clare: Eoin Cleary (0-04 2f), Keelan Sexton (1-01 1’Pen), Emmet McMahon (0-02 1f), Darragh Bohannon (0-01),
Cork;
1: Micheál Aodh Martin (Nemo Rangers)
2: Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty)
3: Daniel O’Mahoney (Knocknagree)
4: Tommy Walsh (Kanturk)
5: Luke Fahy (Ballincollig)
6: Rory Maguire (Castlehaven)
7: Matty Taylor (Mallow)
8: Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg)
9: Ian Maguire (St. Finbarr’s)
10: Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree)
11: Sean Powter (Douglas)
23: Ruairi Deane (Bantry Blues)
13: Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)
14: Chris Og Jones (Iveleary)
24: Conor Corbett (Clyda Rovers)
Subs:
18: Sean Meehan (Kiskeam) for Shanley (57)
21: Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig) for Powter (62)
22: John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers) for Hurley (65)
Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers) for Corbett
20: Shane Merritt (Mallow) for Maguire;
Clare
1: 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. Breckan’s)
8: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg)
9: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
10: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
11: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
12: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
13: Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg)
14: Emmett McMahon (Kildysart)
24: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Subs; 25: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg) for Sweeney (50)
23: Brendy Rouine (Ennistymon) for Coughlan (55)
26: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane for O’Dea (58)
19: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) for Malone (62)
21: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg) for Cooney 67)
Referee: Liam Devenney, Mayo
