Clare edging closer to promotion

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE

Clare 2-22   Laois 2-13

CLARE recorded their third win from three outings in the 2012 National Hurling League and, in truth, they always looked the better side as they accounted for Laois at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise on Sunday. However, there is sure to be some concern that they conceded 2-13 in addition to missing a number of good scoring opportunities at the other end.

Clare 2-22   Laois 2-13

CLARE recorded their third win from three outings in the 2012 National Hurling League and, in truth, they always looked the better side as they accounted for Laois at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise on Sunday. However, there is sure to be some concern that they conceded 2-13 in addition to missing a number of good scoring opportunities at the other end.
A merited nine-point victory keeps the Banner side on course for promotion to the top division and this week, they will hope to strengthen their position when they entertain Wexford at Cusack Park. To have any chance of being in the hunt for promotion, the Slaneysiders must win this game as they have already lost twice.
Clare had five changes in personnel from the side that started against Antrim a week earlier. Both Patrick O’Connor and Conor McGrath were late withdrawals from the side due to illness, while Domhnaill O’Donovan missed out due to suspension following his dismissal in the Antrim game. Forwards, Daire Keane and Cathal McInerney, were left out of the starting line-up this week.
Eamonn Glynn was given the corner-back spot in the absence of O’Donovan and the Inagh-Kilnamona man did well. Having missed the Antrim game due to a bout of ’flu, James McInerney returned and he came into the half-back line in place of O’Connor. Jonathon Clancy came in for McGrath. Elsewhere in attack, Sean Collins returned after illness to replace Daire Keane, while Caimin Morey was in the first 15 ahead of Cathal McInerney.
Laois got off to a blistering start with three points inside the first four minutes but a Sean Collins goal in the fourth minute, after he took a pass from John Conlon, helped settle the visitors. Pat Donnellan, Caimin Morey, Sean Collins and John Conlon (2) followed with points for Clare to lead 1-5 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter.
In fairness, Clare could have been further ahead at this stage of the game but some heavy challenges on John Conlon which were, surprisingly, allowed to go un punished, meant Clare’s tally wasn’t as great as it could have been.
It was 1-8 to 0-4 when Laois were given a boost as full-forward Neil Foyle found the net. Clare went on to lead by five points at half-time, 1-11 to 1-6.
A strong start to the second half saw the visitors take a commanding 10-point lead, which left the home side with a lot to do. Points from Pat Donnellan and Sean Collins at either side of a John Conlon goal pushed the score out to 2-13 to 1-6 and while the midlanders battled to the end, the gap was too great. The difference was eight points at the turn of the final quarter and Clare stretched this to 11 with 10 minutes remaining.
In the final quarter, both sides availed of the opportunity to introduce some substitutes as Clare remained in control and deservingly took home the points.
Full-back Cian Dillon had a difficult afternoon and encountered problems against Neil Foyle and Willie Hyland who moved to full-forward in the closing stages. Corner-backs Conor Cooney and Eamonn Glynn did well, while Brendan Buglar also got through some good work. John Conlon and Sean Collins were the pick of the attack.

Clare: Patrick Kelly; Eamonn Glynn, Cian Dillon, Conor Cooney; Brendan Buglar, James McInerney, Enda Barrett; Nicky O’Connell, Pat Donnellan; Caimin Morey, Sean Collins, Fergal Lynch; John Conlon, Colin Ryan and Jonathon Clancy.
Subs: Daire Keane for Lynch (48 minutes); Liam Markham for Morey (53 minutes); Patrick Kelly (Clarecastle) for Barrett (64 minutes); Eoin Hayes for Clancy (70 minutes).
Scorers: John Conlon (1-3), Colin Ryan (0-5, 3f); Sean Collins (1-1); Pat Donnellan (0-4); Daire Keane (0-3), James McInerney, Jonathon Clancy (0-2 each); Nicky O’Connell (1 free), Caimin Morey (0-1 each).
Frees for:10; wides: 15.
Bookings: Cian Dillon (60 minutes); James McInerney (65 minutes).

Laois: Eoin Reilly; Paddy Mullaney, Darren Maher, Brian Stapleton; Conor Dunne, Joe Fitzpatrick, Matthew Whelan; James Walsh, Brian Dunne; Willie Dunphy, Michael McEvoy, Willie Hyland; Stephen Maher, Neil Foyle and John Brophy.
Subs: David O’Mahony for Dunphy (half-time) Sean Bourke for Dunne (55 minutes); Dayne Peacock for Brophy (58 minutes); Chris Murray for Foyle (64 minutes).
Scorers: Willie Hyland (1-6, 1-3f); Neil Foyle (1-1), Matthew Whelan, James Walsh, Chris Murray, Michael McEvoy Stephen Maher, John Brophy (0-1 each).
Frees for: 12; wides: 12.
Bookings: Michael McEvoy (55 minutes).

Referee: Eamon Hasson, Derry