Clare a class above the students

WATCHED by an attendance of 615 people in Miltown Malbay, Clare scored a easy win over Limerick IT (LIT) in the preliminary round of the 2013 McGrath Cup last Sunday. The game amounted to a mere run out for Clare against an LIT team that had trained just once since their last Division 2 league game in November.

 

WATCHED by an attendance of 615 people in Miltown Malbay, Clare scored a easy win over Limerick IT (LIT) in the preliminary round of the 2013 McGrath Cup last Sunday. The game amounted to a mere run out for Clare against an LIT team that had trained just once since their last Division 2 league game in November.

Clare were fitter, stronger, more hard-working and played with zip and a discernible pattern. They scored 19 of their 21 scores from play, with Shane McGrath notching seven, including one of four fisted first-half points, with Podge McMahon (two) and corner back Enda Coughlan also fisting scores.

Alan Clohessy, full-forward Ian McInerney and Joe Dowling kicked Clare’s remaining first-half points, while captain Gary Brennan scored a superb 19th minute goal, following slick Clare ball handling and movement.

One minus from a Clare perspective was the soft LIT goal put away by midfielder Tommy McCarthy 14 minutes into the first half. Not that it mattered given the limitations of their opponents, but Clare did kick a total of 17 wides, which is profligate even for the first Sunday in January. 

Clare led 1-10 to 1-0 at half time. They introduced Cathal Duggan and Thomas Downes to the forward line on the resumption and maintained their total dominance throughout the subsequent 35 minutes.

McGrath added four further points, while Niall Kelly, Ian McInerney, Enda Coughlan with a top class point and Alan Clohessy completed their 20-point tally.

Brian Coleman from a free and Steven O’Comáin kicked LIT’s points in the second period.

LIT fielded three Clare players in Seánie Malone (Miltown), Seán Hayes (Lissycasey) who played against his brother Joe and Colm Callinan (Kilmihil). Their best player was Limerick’s James Brouder who made at least three excellent saves, including a double stop in the 69th minute from Gary Brennan and Ger Quinlan.

Brennan ruled midfield for Clare, while Enda Coughlan’s support play and passing was a cut above everyone on the field. Coughlan isn’t a recognised corner-back but is likely to be the most attack-minded number four in the NFL Division 4 if he continues to be selected in that position.

No Clare player was placed under undue pressure by their opponent but Shane McGrath and Ian McInerney must be singled out for their displays. McGrath’s point-kicking and fisting was impressive, while McInerney showed for ball through and continually brought his attacking colleagues into the game. 

Senior debutants Stephen Collins, Chris Dixon, Podge McMahon and Niall Kelly all had good moments but know that Sunday’s game against Limerick in Foynes will give them a clearer idea of what inter-county football is about.

Clare looked in good physical shape and this game will have warmed them up for a more realistic examination this weekend.

Clare: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Stephen Collins (St Joseph’s, Doora-Barefield), Chris Dixon (Kilrush), Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane); Declan Callinan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Gordon Kelly (St Joseph’s, Miltown), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane); Gary Brennan (Clondegad-captain), Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen); Shane McGrath (Parnell’s), Joe Dowling (Ennistymon), Alan Clohessy (Liscannor); Podge McMahon (Clondegad), Ian McInerney (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Niall Kelly (Lissycasey).
Subs: Cathal Duggan (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield) for Podge McMahon, Thomas Downes (Cooraclare) for Joe Dowling (both half-time), Ivor Whyte (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield) for Declan Callinan (57), John Keane (Corofin) for Cathal O’Connor (63), Ger Quinlan (O’Curry’s) for Ian McInerney (67).
Scorers: Shane McGrath (0-7), Alan Clohessy (0-4, 0-1 45), Ian McInerney (0-3, 0-1 45, 0-1f), Podge McMahon (0-3), Gary Brennan (1-0), Enda Coughlan (0-2), Niall Kelly (0-1).
Wides: 17   Frees: 14   45s: 3.
Yellow cards: 0.

Limerick IT: James Brouder (Limerick), Shane Considine (Limerick), Seánie Malone (St Joseph’s, Miltown), Gary Canty (Donegal); Paul Barrett (Kerry), Shane Curran (Kerry), Gavin Murphy (Wexford); Tommy McCarthy (Limerick), Michael Brennan (Kerry), Seán Hayes (Lissycasey); Steven Behan (Limerick), Brian Coleman (Sligo), Colm Callinan (Kilmihil).
Subs: Nathan Breen (Kerry) for Steven Behan (23), Chris Wallace (Kerry) for Colm Callinan (51), Eoghan O’Sullivan (Kerry) for Shane Considine (53), Steven O’Comáin (Mayo) for Tommy McCarthy (63).
Scorers: Tommy McCarthy 1-0, Steven O’Comáin 0-1, Brian Coleman 0-1f.
Wides: 0   Frees: 22   45s: 0.
Yellow cards: Seánie Malone, Nathan Breen.

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork).