Clare get it done in Carlow

Clare 1-12   Carlow 0-9

WINNING is all that matters as the remaining league fixtures fly around on successive weekends. Last Sunday’s six point win in Dr Cullen Park has left Clare with a straightforward task – beat London and Limerick in Cusack Park and they’ll be playing Division 3 football in 2014.

There are several areas of Clare’s game that they will surely be keen to improve upon but, for the next couple of weekends, it’s all about the short term.

Stephen Collins and Chris Dixon made their full league debuts for Clare, while Ian McInerney started at full-forward. Enda Coughlan (one game suspension), Martin McMahon (holidays) and Seán Haugh, were the players who made way against the Leinster county. John Hayes and Michael O’Shea, both recently back on the panel, were introduced as substitutes.

The games pivotal score was netted by Rory Donnelly six minutes before half-time, when the Cooraclare man palmed to the net from about six inches. It was impossible to miss. David Tubridy picked up a misplaced Carlow hand pass as the home county tried to employ a bit of leisurely support play in emerging from defence.

Tubridy’s interception can primarily be attributed to Mark McCarthy’s hounding of the Carlow full back line, who couldn’t escape the incessant attention of the Kilmurry Ibrickane man. It was the fourth of five league games in which McCarthy hasn’t scored but his work rate, ball winning ability and movement was admirable. If he can tag on the odd score, Clare will have a top forward on their hands.

That goal left Clare leading 1-7 to 0-4  having played with quite a strong wind, in bitingly cold conditions. Points from Seán Gannon and Brian Murphy, bridged the gap somewhat, but Clare still led by four points, 1-7 to 0-6 at half-time.

Both teams employed an extra defender from the start. Carlow selected Derek Hayden at corner forward but played him as a seventh defender, leaving Stephen Collins as Clare’s free defender, for most of the first half.

David Tubridy, who played at centre-forward kicked three points from play in the opening half, all from distance and a fourth from a free. Donnelly could have goaled twice but Carlow goalkeeper Craig Kearney deflected one shot over and another for a ’45. Gary Brennan, the games dominant midfielder and Chris Dunning, who ran his heart out at wing-back, notched Clare’s remaining first half points.

Brendan Murphy, who was shown a second yellow card 15 minutes from time and his brother Brian, along with Darragh Foley and Gannon kicked their teams six points in the opening period.

Clare introduced John Hayes for Ian McInerney at half-time. The Kilrush man was played as an extra defender and although he conceded a couple of converted frees, the 35 minute run out will have helped to bring Hayes back up to inter-county pace.

Gary Brennan set the tone from the throw-in when he strode through the Carlow defence and pointed his side 1-8 to 0-6 ahead.

The Murphy’s kicked a brace in reply to leave Clare 1-8 to 0-8 ahead, 15 minutes into the second half.

However the home county fell away completely in the last 20 minutes and added just one point to their tally. Shane McGrath, Tubridy with two more and Donnelly, following a Mark McCarthy pass, ensured that Clare won pulling up.

Chris Dixon made a solid debut, while Stephen Collins couldn’t be faulted for lack of effort, although occasionally he attempted running through Carlow men, rather than around them, which led to Clare losing possession a couple of times.

Shane McNeilis was again tight and composed at full back, while Chris Dunning was involved in plenty of play in the half-back line. While his kicking can improve, Dunning added energy and attacking threat to that line. Gary Brennan was the best midfielder on view, while up front David Tubridy kicked some lovely points from play.

Rory Donnelly had far too much pace and movement for Carlow full-back Shane Mernagh, while as earlier indicated, Mark McCarthy was unselfish and hard working. The 35 minutes given to Ian McInerney will have brought on his match fitness and sharpness as the London and Limerick games loom.

Clare were caught on the line, by Wicklow, 12 months ago. Perhaps this time they may catch Limerick as Division 4 approaches what could be a rather interesting conclusion.

Clare: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Stephen Collins (Doora-Barefield), Shane McNeilis (Kildysart), Chris Dixon (Kilrush); Declan Callinan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Gordon Kelly (Miltown), Chris Dunning (Wolfe Tones); Gary Brennan (Clondegad –captain), Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen); Alan Clohessy (Liscannor), David Tubridy (Doonbeg), Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis); Mark McCarthy (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Ian McInerney (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Rory Donnelly, (Cooraclare).  
Subs: John Hayes (Kilrush) for Ian McInerney (half-time), Michael O’Shea for Stephen Collins (57).
Scorers: David Tubridy (0-6, 0-1f); Rory Donnelly (1-2); Gary Brennan (0-2); Chris Dunning, Shane McGrath (0-1 each).
Wides: 9   Frees: 20   ’45s: 1
Yellow cards: John Hayes, Shane McGrath.

Carlow: Craig Kearney; Conor Lawlor, Shane Mernagh, Benny Kavanagh; Kieran Nolan, Shane Redmond, Martin Doyle; Ray Walker, Darragh Foley; Brian Murphy, Paul Reid, Eoghan Ruth; Brendan Murphy, Seán Gannon, Derek Hayden.
Subs: Willie Minchin for Paul Reid (55), Jeffrey O’Donoghue for Martin Doyle, John Murphy for Ray Walker, Alan Kelly for Eoghan Ruth (all 66).
Scorers: Brian Murphy (0-4, 0-3f); Brendan Murphy (0-2); Darragh Foley (0-2, 0-1f); Seán Gannon (0-1).
Wides: 6   Frees: 23   ’45s: 1
Yellow cards: Ray Walker, Brendan Murphy, Shane Mernagh, Willie Minchin.
Red card: Brendan Murphy.