Eoin Hayes of Clare is congratulated by team mates following his first half goal against Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Clinical Clare booked their place in the Oscar Traynor final for the second time in three years thanks to a merited two-goal victory over Donegal in Doora this afternoon
Enjoying a 2-1 advantage at the interval, the decisive moment came about 23 minutes into the second-half when Clare were awarded a crucial penalty.
Stephen Kelly scored twice for Newmarket Celtic against Pike Rovers. Photograph by John Kelly.
Eoin Whelan of Clare in action against Jamie Boyle of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Darren Murphy of Clare in action against Kyle Black of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Eoin Hayes of Clare in action against Ryan Gildea of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Kyle Black of Donegal in action against Darren Murphy of Clare during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Gary Merritt and Damien Crossan of Donegal in action against Paddy Purcell of Clare during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Joe Coll of Donegal in action against Eoin O Brien of Clare during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Colin Smyth of Clare in action against Benny Bonner of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Eoin Hayes of Clare in action against Ryan Gildea of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Darren Murphy of Clare in action against Gary Merritt of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Eoin Hayes of Clare in action against Benny Bonner of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Eoin Hayes scored twice in Clare’s win over West Cork. Photograph by John Kelly.
Eoin Hayes of Clare is congratulated by team mates following his first half goal against Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Clare manager Donie Garrihy and assistant David Russell on the sideline against Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
David Mc Carthy of Clare in action against Ryan Sheilds of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Daryl Eade of Clare in action against Gary Merritt of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
David Mc Carthy of Clare in action against Kyle Black of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Clare defenders block a free from Gary Merritt of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Eoin Hayes of Clare is congratulated by team mates Paddy Purcell and Stephen Kelly after scoring a penalty against Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Joe Collins of Clare in action against Benny Bonner of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Darragh Corry of Clare in action against Damien Crossan of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Joe Collins of Clare in action against Ryan Gildea of Donegal during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Damien Crossan of Donegal in action against Mark Roche of Clare during their Oscar Traynor semi-final in Doora. Photograph by John Kelly.
Eoin Hayes stepped up to unleash an unstoppable rocket into the net past the hapless Joe Coll,
While Donegal battled hard until the final whistle and managed to create a few goal chances, none of them were very clearcut and they couldn’t have any real complaints about the result.
Clare got off to a dream start when Stephen Kelly scored a superb goal after four minutes.
The Newmarket Celtic midfielder trapped a long delivery with his left, beat two defenders before he shot with his so-called weaker right foot from over 25 metres, which Joe Coll couldn’t hold and spilled the ball into the net.
While Donie Garrihy’s men were winning more possession, Donegal bounced back in the 13th minute with an opportunist goal from Brian Crossan.
Five minutes before half-time, Eoin Hayes put Clare 2-1 ahead. A long delivery from Stephen Kelly split the Donegal defence allowing Eoin Hayes to slip in behind a defender and slot the ball past the advancing Joe Coll.
While Donegal battled hard until the final whistle and managed to create a few goal chances, none of them were very clearcut and they couldn’t have any real complaints about the result.
Dominant in the air, particularly at the back, Clare dominated periods of the first half and could have been further in front at half-time.
CLARE: Barry Ryan, Darryl Eade, Eoin O’Brien, Paddy Purcell, Darren Murphy, Darragh Corry, Colin Smyth, Stephen Kelly, Eoin Hayes, David McCarthy, Eoin Whelan.
Subs: Joe Collins, 50 min for Colin Smyth, Brian Monaghan 55 mins for Darren Murphy, Mark Roche, 96 mins for Eoin Whelan injured.
