Clare scuppered by late Galway penalty

CLARE’S chances of progressing to the knock-out stages of the Inter-league Youths Cup are hanging by a thread following a loss to Galway at the County Grounds in Doora on Saturday.

 

 

CLARE’S chances of progressing to the knock-out stages of the Inter-league Youths Cup are hanging by a thread following a loss to Galway at the County Grounds in Doora on Saturday.

The home side went into the game knowing that victory would see them through, while a draw would leave them in a strong position to progress.

They looked to be heading for a share of the spoils until four minutes from the end when disaster struck and Galway hit the winner from the penalty spot.

Clare came from behind twice in the game and looked like they would hold out for a draw but, following a goalmouth scramble, referee Martin O’Brien pointed to the penalty spot and produced a red card for Aidan Davidson, who was one of the home side’s goal scorers on the day.

Clare aren’t out of the competition but now need Mayo to beat Galway next month if they are to qualify. Clare scored a 4-0 win over Mayo in Castlebar in the opening round.

In Saturday’s contest, Clare had early chances but Paddy O’Malley’s left-footed drive and Levi Howard’s effort after good work by Nicki Twumasai narrowly missed the target.

The visitors took the lead when Colin Brady’s free kick from all of 35 yards deceived the Clare defence and went all the way to the net.

Clare won a lot of possession after this but found it difficult to break down a stubborn Galway defence, while the visitors’ Padraig Cunningham caused a lot of problems for the home side’s defence.

Clare’s persistence paid off just before the half-time whistle and Aidan Davidson found the net following a Paddy O’Malley corner from the right.

Early in the second half, the visitors came close to going back in front but Padraig Cnnningham’s effort was narrowly wide of the target.

He came close again as the three-quarter stage approached before finding the net with 19 minutes to go, scoring from the edge of the area after a good run.

The celebrations among the Galway followers had hardly ended when Clare were back on terms. O’Malley again created the opportunity with another good corner and this time it was his Avenue clubmate, Levi Howard, who found the net.

With just under five minutes remaining, Clare were penalised for a handball resulting in Davidson’s dismissal and Cunningham coolly slotted home what proved to be the winning score.

A win for Galway over Mayo next month will see them through to the next stage of the competition.

Clare: Sean Kennedy (Ennis Town Rock); John Feehily (Newmarket Celtic), Paddy O’Malley (Avenue United), Maccon Byrne (Avenue United), Kaylon O’Loughlin (Avenue United), Conor Deasy (Bridge United), Gearóid O’Brien (Kilrush Rangers), Aidan Davidson (Moher Celtic), Nicki Twumasi (Avenue United), Levi Howard (Avenue United), Brian Monaghan (Bridge United).
Subs: Kevin Kelly for Feehily and Michael Duffy for O’Malley.
Galway: Darren Sinton; Martin O’Connor; Gary Bailey, Conor Brady, Paul Healy, Cian Delamere, Shane Mulgraine, Shane Connaughton, Padraig Cunningham, Cian Morley, Chris Carroll.
Sub: Mikey Fox for Delamere.