Clonlara see off Scariff to set up Feakle senior B final date

A slick moving Clonlara side had too much all over the field for Scariff and set up a meeting with Feakle next weekend as the Senior B holders never once look troubled against the 2020 Intermediate champions in Sixmilebridge on Friday night. 
 Clonlara displayed greater pace and precision in passing with Cathal O’Connell totally at ease in a loose role in the half forward operating as conductor of proceedings.  
In a game that required Scariff avoid wastage of scoring chances, they sent half a dozen eminently scorable first half chances abegging. Kieran Galvin and Cathal O’Connell with a dozen scores once again led in the scoring stakes had the opening scores before Martin Cunningham responded for Scariff. Micheal Stritch, Ian Galvin, and Kieran Galvin added to their sides tally before Pat Crotty and Sean Minogue hit back by the 10th minute. 
Pat Ryan set up Conor McNamara for the first goal after 12 minutes to level matters, however this only kickstarted Clonlara and they went on a scoring spree with six of the following eight points to leave (0-12) to (1-5) as Ian Galvin (2), Paraic O’Loughlin, Micheal Stritch, Cathal O’Connell and Dylan McMahon took charge. 
Even though Mark Rodgers who was well controlled over the hour had the first score of the second half it was normal service for Clonlara as they opened up a (0-20) to (1-8) lead as Cathal O’Connell added seven scores in a 10 minutes spell.
Mark Rodgers took everyone by surprise by hammering home a well struck free. Yet, this score was merely cosmetic dressing as Eddie Horgan’s side continued to dominate a game that was long since over a serious contest despite the honest endeavour of a Scariff side. Clonlara rounded off the scoring with a 56th minute goal after Cormac O’Donovan beat three to set up Micheal Stritch for a close-range finish. Next weekend Scariff can finish off the season on a high in the Junior C final next weekend against Bodyke. 
The winners showed a lot of the potential many feel they possess yet often fail to show on the biggest stage. Clonlara were served well by Cillian O’Brien, David Fitzgerald, Aidan Moriarty, Kieran Galvin, Cathal O’Connell, Cormac O’Donovan, Paraic O’Loughlin and Ian Galvin. Scariff had good performances from Diarmuid Nash, Liam Doyle, Eoin O’Grady, Conor McNamara, Keelan Hartigan and Mark Rodgers in the second half.
 
Clonlara: Cillian O’Brien, Paul McNamara, Gareth Kennedy, David Fitzgerald, Gerard Powell, Aidan Moriarty, Dylan McMahon (0-1), James Hastings, Kieran Galvin (0-3), Cathal O’Connell (0-12), Paraic O’Loughlin (0-3), Cian Moriarty, Cormac O’Donovan,  Ian Galvin (0-2), Michael Stritch(1-2). Subs: Daniel Moloney for Hastings, Brian McLeish for Stritch, Cillian Fennessy for Powell, John Begley for Moriarty, Sean Moriarty (0-1) for Kennedy. 

Scariff: Liam Doyle, Cathal Madden, Michael Scanlon, Eoin O’Grady, Diarmuid Nash (0-1), Dan Treacy, Conor Moloney, Keelan Hartigan, Martin Cunningham (0-1), Pat Crotty, Sean Minogue (0-1), Pat Ryan (0-2), Fergus Madden, Mark Rodgers (1-3), Conor McNamara (1-1). Subs: Ross Horan for C McNamara. Diarmuid McNamara for Moloney, Seamus McCaul for Minogue, Conor Downes for Ryan 

Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones).

by Michael O’Connor