Clonlara secure title in frenetic finish

Clonlara   2-11   Clondegad  2-7
Clonlara were crowned Clare junior B football champions at Gurteen on Sunday when a storming finish, which yielded 1-2 in the last four minutes, saw them overcome the challenge of Clondegad

Played before an enthusiastic attendance in good conditions, Clondegad looked to be on their way to the title when they led by four points entering the final quarter. Playing with the aid of the breeze at this stage, they were still four clear with 10 minutes to go. However, they failed to score in the final quarter and this proved costly.
One of the keys to Clonlara’s victory was the fact that eight players got on the scoresheet, whereas Clondegad’s scores came from two players, with only Niall Deasy managing to score from play. 
The South East Clare side started impressively and points from Nicky O’Connell and team captain Cormac O’Donovan had them ahead after just three minutes.
Two pointed frees by Clondegad full-forward Colm Quinlivan had the sides level for the first of four times after eight minutes.
Clonlara put some good attacking moves together and these led to further points from Brian Woods and Barry O’Connell but, at the other end, Quinlivan punished any indiscretion and by the mid-point of the half, he had his side in front for the first time after he found the net from a penalty awarded for a foul on Niall Deasy.
The lead was short-lived, as points from Barry and Ger O’Connell brought the sides level at 0-6 to 1-3.
When Clonlara full-back John Conlon lost possession shortly before half-time, Niall Deasy pounced and clashed the ball to the net to leave his side ahead at the break, 2-3 to 0-6.
If there was an element of luck about Clondegad’s second goal, the same was the case in the second minute of the new half as Clonlara got through for their first goal. A delivery from midfielder Ronan Carey caused problems for Clondegad goalie Kenneth Breen and the ball ended up in the net. Nicky O’Connell followed with an excellent point and the winners were back in front.
In the next 10 minutes, Clondegad had the better of matters and opened a four-point lead with scores from Quinlivan (three frees) and Deasy, who was unlucky not to have another goal in the fifth minute of the half.
In a five-minute spell midway through this half, Clonlara made four substitutions, bringing in Colm Galvin, Conor O’Shea, Cathal O’Connell and Domhnaill O’Donovan and the changes helped them to dominate the closing 10 minutes.
Points from Nicky (free) and Cathal O’Connell left just a point between the sides with nine minutes to play and this was still the position until three minutes from time when Colm Galvin collected a Barry O’Connell cross and found the net to put his side back in front. Points from Nicky and Ger O’Connell sealed victory for the South East Clare club who, earlier in the season, won the junior B hurling title.
The O’Connell brothers, Ger, Nicky, Barry and substitute Cathal, were impressive throughout for the winners, with Ger particularly effective at midfield.
John Griffin, Joe Neylon, Ray Flannery and Niall Deasy impressed for Clondegad while Colm Quinlivan’s accuracy from frees played a big part in an enjoyable contest.
After the game, Clare GAA chairman Michael O’Neill presented the trophy to the winning captain, Cormac O’Donovan.

Clonlara: Alan O’Connell; Patrick Conlon, John Conlon, Paul Barry; Tomás O’Donovan, Jason Murphy, Cillian Fennessy; Ger O’Connell, Ronan Carey; Paul Nihill, Cormac O’Donovan, Nicky O’Connell; Barry O’Connell, Brian Woods, John Moloney.
Subs: Colm Galvin for Moloney (40 minutes); Conor O’Shea for Barry (45 minutes); Cathal O’Connell for Woods (45 minutes); Domhnaill O’Donovan for P Conlon (48 minutes).
Scorers: Nicky O’Connell (0-4, 1f); Ronan Carey, Colm Galvin (1-0 each); Barry and Ger O’Connell (0-2 each); Cormac O’Donovan, Brian Woods and Cathal O’Connell (0-1 each).
Clondegad: Kenneth Breen; Kevin White, John Griffin, Emmet Smithwick; Joe Neylon, Eamonn Griffin, Declan Keane; Kevin Sheehan, Alan Carigg; Barry Coffey, Colm Gavin, Ray Flannery; David Sheehan, Colm Quinlivan, Niall Deasy.
Subs: Shane O’Neill for Carigg (36 minutes); Charlie McCarthy for Coffey (52 minutes).
Clondegad: Colm Quinlivan (1-6, 0-6f, 1p; Niall Deasy (1-1).
Referee: Rory Hickey, Éire Óg.