Clare Gardaí take national soccer title

Clare Gardaí 1 Tipperary Gardaí 0

Fairview Rangers’ grounds in Limerick hosted the national inter-garda soccer final last week, when Clare Gardaí defeated their Tipperary counterparts to capture the title.
Clare had contested the final in 2009 but lost out to Wexford in a penalty shoot-out.
Tipperary looked strong in the early stages but they struggled to break down the Clare defence. Clare created the first chance when they won a penalty after 15 minutes when Albert Hardiman was fouled in the Tipperary box. However, Shane O’Connor was wide of the target with his effort.
Within five minutes, O’Connor made up for the miss when he got on the end of a cross by Alan Ryan to shoot to the net with the aid of a deflection.
Clare created a number of goal-scoring opportunities between this and half-time but some last-ditch defending on the part of Tipperary, allied to some wayward shooting by Clare, meant that the score remained at 1-0 at the break.
Just before the break, Clare breathed a great sigh of relief when a Tipperary effort rebounded off the post.
Straight from the re-start, Tipperary attacked but Dermot Cummins in the Clare goal saved well. From here on, Clare dominated. Midway through the half they had a chance to double their advantage but Eoin Barrett’s header was cleared off the line for a corner.
Barrett was forced to retire due to a head injury at this stage of the game and was replaced by Conor Horan.
In the final quarter, Clare had a number of chances to wrap up the game but Frank Browne’s effort hit the side netting while Stephen Kelly and David O’Sullivan blasted over the bar. The Tipperary goalkeeper saved well from Alan Ryan, Shane O’Connor and Sean Buckley, a substitute for Ryan.
After the game, assistant commissioner Kevin Ludlow presented the National Cup to Clare captain Frank Browne watched by a large attendance, which included Clare Chief Superintendent John Kerin.
Many of the Clare team play with junior clubs in Clare, Limerick Desmond and Cork leagues. The Clare manager is Denis Collins, ex-Kilrush Rangers, while the team physio is Deirdre O’Doherty with Cyril Page as assistant.
Newmarket Celtic’s McDonogh Park was the venue for the Clare team’s home games in the competition
Clare: Dermot Cummins; Alan Kelly, Albert Hardiman, Eoin Barrett, Barry O’Grady, Alan Ryan, Donagh Walsh, Frank Browne, David O’Sullivan, Shane O’Connor, Stephen Kelly.
Subs: Conor Horan for Barrett; Sean Buckley for Ryan; Shane O’Connell, Gary Stack, William Delaney.