*Photograph:Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’s senior footballers remain unbeaten in Division 2 of the Allianz NFL after rescuing a successive draw on the road.
Roscommon 0-09
Clare 0-09
Venue: Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon
Late points from Keelan Sexton, Eoin Cleary and David Tubridy saw Clare claim a draw away to high flying Roscommon on Sunday afternoon.
Two pitch inspections at Dr Hyde Park, one at 9am and the other at midday on Sunday saw this Division 2 clash proceed while other games fell foul to Storm Franklin. While the fixture did not fall foul to the weather, the stormy winds certainly wreaked havoc on the contest with shooting hindered by the strength of the gale in Roscommon.
An impressive opening half against the stormy wind was not maintained by Clare, a twenty three minute window in the second half were they failed to score ultimately serving as a reason for their inability to head home with a win in the bag. Like Roscommon, they scored more from play against the elements.
Podge Collins a late inclusion in the starting team, got Clare off the mark in both halves, as ever the Cratloe livewire brought a high level of workrate and helped set the tone when the visitors were on top. White flags from Aaron Griffin, Eoin Cleary and Alan Sweeney created a 0-04 0-02 advantage with twenty minutes played.
Roscommon despite scoring two points from play, led by a single score at the break, Cathal Heneghan whose mother hails from Feakle among those hitting the target for Anthony Cunnigham’s men.
Ultan Harney’s black card aided Clare’s comeback, they trailed 0-09 0-06 with nine minutes of normal time remaining but came good with Sexton converting a 65 while Cleary and Tubridy produced excellent finishes to save the day for the Banner.
Keeping unbeaten status is a big plus for both sides who will also feel this was a contest they could have easily claimed a victory on when reflecting back on the game. For Roscommon, Conor Cox, Brian Stack and Ultan Harney impressed for the Rossies, Clare’s best were Podge Collins, Eoin Cleary, Cian O’Dea and Alan Sweeney.
Scorers Clare: P Collins (0-02), E Cleary (0-02), A Griffin (0-01), A Sweeney (0-01), J Malone (0-01), K Sexton (0-01 1’65), D Tubridy (0-01)
Scorers Roscommon: D Smith (0-04 4f), C Heneghan (0-01), E Smith (0-01), C Cox (0-01), R Hughes (0-01), D Murtagh (0-01)
Clare:
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
4: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
7: Alan Sweeney (St Breckans)
5: Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
6: Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis)
9: Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg)
8: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
10: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
11: Eoin Cleary (St Josephs Miltown)
12: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
13: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
14: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
17: Padraic Collins (Cratloe)
Subs:
15: David Tubridy (Doonbeg) for Malone (43)
26: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Doherty (49)
24: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart) for E Collins (66)
19: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil) for Griffin (69)
Roscommon:
1: Colm Lavin (Éire Óg)
2: Mark Richardson (Padraig Pearses)
3: Brian Stack (St Brigids)
4: Eoin McCormack (St Dominics)
5: Dylan Ruane (Michael Glaveys)
6: Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses)
7: Richard Hughes (Roscommon Gaels)
8: Ultan Harney (Clann nan Gael)
9: Eddie Nolan (St Brigids)
10: Niall Kilroy (Fuerty)
11: Enda Smith (Boyle)
12: Cathal Heneghan (Michael Glaveys)
15: Conor Cox (Éire Óg)
14: Donie Smith (Boyle)
13: Cian McKeon (Boyle)
Subs:
19: Niall Higgins (Elphin) for Richardson (HT)
21: Ciaran Murtagh (St Faithleachs) for Ruane (57)
26: Diarmuid Murtagh (St Faithleachs) for Heneghan (60)
20: Ciaran Sugrue (St Brigids) for Cox (65)
23: Keith Doyle (St Dominics) for Higgins (69)
Referee: Patrick Maguire (Longford)
