Clare remain marooned in Division 4

FOR the third time in four seasons, Clare imploded when a clear avenue towards promotion from Division 4 opened up for them. In 2010, a point from either of their games against Limerick or Waterford would have been sufficient, while last year they fell to Wicklow in Aughrim. Last Sunday victory over Limerick in Cusack Park would have been enough but yet again, when the pressure came on, Clare faltered.

FOR the third time in four seasons, Clare imploded when a clear avenue towards promotion from Division 4 opened up for them. In 2010, a point from either of their games against Limerick or Waterford would have been sufficient, while last year they fell to Wicklow in Aughrim. Last Sunday victory over Limerick in Cusack Park would have been enough but yet again, when the pressure came on, Clare faltered.

They can point, with some justification, to Donal O’Sullivan’s second-half save from David Tubridy’s penalty, Ian McInerney’s missed goal chance just before half-time and Shane McGrath hitting the crossbar. If one of those chances had hit the net, Limerick’s fortitude would have been more forcibly examined. Yet Clare’s six starting forwards kicked just two points between them, while the home county kicked 11 wides.

Contrast that wides tally to Limerick, who kicked three in total and none in the second half, while playing into a strong wind.

Limerick were much more efficient in front of goal, while their patient possession game was ideally suited to playing into the breeze during the second half. In that second half, Clare defended too deeply, allowing Limerick to hold possession for long periods before they were put under pressure, mostly about 40 yards from the Clare goal.

Clare were very slow to settle and Limerick, who won the toss and played with the elements, led 0-5 to 0-0 after 18 minutes. Ian Ryan pointed two frees, while Eoghan O’Connor, Ger Collins and Seanie Buckley kicked scores from play. Ryan had a goal effort saves by Joe Hayes in the third minute at the expense of a 45’.

Before Mark McCarthy scored Clare’s first point in the 23rd minute, David Tubridy kicked two wides, while Tubridy, Shane McGrath, Rory Donnelly and Gary Brennan all kicked harmless ball into the grasp of the Limerick goalkeeper. Brennan also hit the crossbar with a point attempt.

However, McCarthy’s point settled Clare as did the introduction of Michael O’Shea for Rory Donnelly, who sustained a facial cut. Following a direct run and a one-two with Tubridy, O’Shea kicked an excellent score, although Buckley, marked by Declan Callinan, replied instantly with an equally impressive point. Now 0-6 to 0-2 adrift, Clare added points from Brennan, made by a McCarthy turnover and Ian McInerney, whose point was set up by decent interplay involving O’Shea and Chris Dunning.

Just before half-time, McInerney found himself one-on-one with Donal O’Sullivan but the Limerick man saved the shot and although Shane McGrath picked up the rebound, he kicked the opportunity wide.

Still, Clare were in a reasonable position at the interval, 0-6 to 0-4 down but with the elements and the home crowd behind them.

While the bald facts are that Clare were outscored 1-7 to 0-6 in the second half, the missed penalty was a huge moment. Michael O’Shea, Gary Brennan off his left foot and Ian McInerney, from a free won by Mark McCarthy, had pointed Clare to within a point, 0-8 to 0-7 of Limerick. Buckley scored Limerick’s opening point of the second half, following an excellent example of their patience and calmness in possession.

In the ninth minute Gary Brennan won a Limerick kick-out and barrelled through the centre of their defence, before being pulled back by Mark O’Riordan.

 

Ian McInerney had kicked Clare’s previous point from a free, although Tubridy is the regular free taker. The Doonbeg man took the penalty however and hit it low, straight down the middle. O’Sullivan saved it, while the rebound was deflected out for a 45’.

McInerney’s 45’ drifted wide, as did a Tubridy effort from play. Buoyed by these let offs, Limerick pulled further ahead with Ian Corbett pointing from play and Ryan from a free, conceded by Enda Coughlan, who picked the ball on the ground.

Now four points down, 0-11 to 0-7, Clare needed a big moment. Shane McGrath nearly provided it but his shot hit the crossbar and while Chris Dunning picked up the rebound, his shot went wide. Now at full-forward, with substitute Ger Quinlan in the middle, Gary Brennan pointed Clare to within three points of the winners.

Three minutes later, 11 minutes from time, Ian Ryan buried Clare in what was a pivotal moment. Ger Collins popped the ball off for Ryan, who deflected the ball beyond Joe Hayes. With Shane McNeilis struggling to hold Ryan, the Limerick inside forward added two further points from play to finish the home county.

Ian McInerney, from a 45’ and Gary Brennan, who kicked a close range free, completed Clare’s tally.
While Clare failed to convert at least three goal chances, Limerick were definitely a step ahead of Clare. Their support play was superb, while their tendency not to panic while on the ball was marked.

In Ian Ryan they had the best forward on the field, while Seanie Buckley, Eoghan O’Connor and Ger Collins all contributed impressively to Limerick’s win.

Bobby O’Brien battled well with Gary Brennan, while Johnny McCarthy and Stephen Lavin, who drove forward repeatedly, excelled in defence. Limerick are now promoted and will play Offaly in the division 4 league final in Croke Park on Saturday April 27.

Aside from a short kick-out to Enda Coughlan, which he picked off the ground, Joe Hayes defended his goals manfully and made a number of good saves. Declan Callinan was the best of a Clare defence, which struggled when Limerick ran at them. As the game wore on, Clare looked porous in the full-back line, with Limerick isolating Ian Ryan and capitalising on increasing space.

Gary Brennan kicked four points, three from play and generally gave his all, while Mark McCarthy, Michael O’Shea and Ian McInerney, who linked up play nicely on occasions, were the best of a malfunctioning Clare attack. When David Tubridy doesn’t score from play or frees, it’s a clear sign that Clare weren’t at the level required in attack.

Limerick: Donal O’Sullivan; Andrew Lane, Johnny McCarthy, Mark O’Riordan; Stephen Lavin, Paudie Browne, Pa Ranahan; Tom Lee, Bobby O’Brien; John Riordan, Ger Collins, Seanie Buckley (captain); Eoghan O’Connor, Derry O’Connor, Ian Ryan.
Subs: Ian Corbett for Derry O’Connor (34); John Galvin for Bobby O’Brien (67); Stephen Lucey for Tom Lee (70).
Scorers: Ian Ryan (1-6, 0-3f); Seanie Buckley (0-3); Ian Corbett (0-2); Eoghan O’Connor, Ger Collins (0-1 each).
Wides: 3   Frees: 18   45s: 1
Yellow cards: Paudie Browne, Bobby O’Brien, Eoghan O’Connor.

Clare: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Chris Dixon (Kilrush), Shane McNeilis (Kildysart), Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane); Declan Callinan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Gordon Kelly (St Joseph’s, Miltown), John Hayes (Kilrush); Gary Brennan (Clondegad, captain), Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen); Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis), David Tubridy (Doonbeg), Chris Dunning (Wolfe Tones); Mark McCarthy (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Ian McInerney (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Rory Donnelly (Cooraclare).
Subs: Michael O’Shea (Kilkee) for Rory Donnelly (22-injured); Ger Quinlan (O’Curry’s) for Chris Dunning (55); Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Chris Dixon (65).
Scorers: Gary Brennan 0-4, (0-3); Ian McInerney (0-3, 1f, 1 ’45); Michael O’Shea (0-2); Mark McCarthy (0-1).
Wides: 11   Frees: 20   45s: 3
Yellow cards: Chris Dunning, Michael O’Shea.

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo).