Connolly crowned Division 1 champions

Connolly Celtic 2   Rhine Rovers 0

Connolly Celtic’s junior footballers gave their club the ideal 25th anniversary present at the County Grounds in Doora on Wednesday evening when they captured the Clare First Division League title for the first time in the club’s history.
A goal in each half ensured victory over a fancied Rhine Rovers side in a game played before a good size attendance on a damp evening.
Earlier this season the club marked their 25th anniversary and this week’s victory, their first time to win this particular title, brought their special season to a happy conclusion.
It was a success that didn’t appear likely a week earlier as they headed into the last round of league games. Rhine Rovers were odds-on favourites for the title then, needing just a draw against Bunratty-Cratloe A to secure the title. Fifteen minutes from the end of that tie they looked to have the title secure, leading the game 2-1. They were safely promoted to the Premier League and Connolly were also assured of promotion having accounted for Turnpike Rovers.
Bunratty-Cratloe levelled and still Rhine looked to be on the way to the title but, in the last minute, they went behind and suddenly Connolly were back in the race for the title.
The first half of this play-off was a poor affair with the respective defences dominating. The breakthrough came eight minutes from the break and Rhine won’t want to recall how they fell behind. There appeared to be no danger when Stephen Monaghan played the ball back to his goalkeeper Aidan O’Connor but the ball skidded on the wet surface and into the net, giving the new champions the lead. This goal separated the teams at the break.
In the opening 10 minutes of the second half, Rhine stepped up a gear and piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Then in a quick counter-attack, 11 minutes in, Connolly struck a major blow. Alan Markham played a free down the right to Jan Feck whose cross caused all sorts of problems for the Rhine defence and veteran Mickey Byrnes pounced to crash the ball to the net.
The winners should have gone further ahead in the 21st minute when a foul on the impressive Kenneth Kennedy led to a penalty. Aidan O’Connor dived to his right to bring off a fine save from Kieran Dillon. The resultant corner from substitute John Kelly caused problems in the Rhine defence and the Quin-based club was lucky not to concede a third.
Ken Kennedy continued to cause problems for Rhine and he was fouled again in the 32nd minute leading to a second penalty for Connolly Celtic. This time John Paul Healy stepped up but he shot straight at O’Connor who produced another save.
In an effort to get back into the tie, Rhine made three second half changes bringing in Conor Hanrahan, Martin Reidy and Ger Fannin but they failed to break down a strong Connolly defence in which the back four of Alan Markham, Barry Lynch, Brian Connellan and Kieran Dillon held firm.
The final whistle sparked celebrations amongst the Connolly players and supporters before goalkeeper and captain Niall Quinn accepted the trophy from Clare league chairman, Donie Garrihy.

Connolly Celtic: Niall Quinn; Alan Markahm, Barry Lynch, Brian Connellan, Kieran Dillon; Bernard Field, Brendan Dillon, Ken Kennedy, Jan Feck; John Paul Healy, Mickey Byrnes.
Subs: John Kelly for Field; Patrick Hogan for Byrnes
Rhine Rovers: Aidan O’Connor; Jamie Fahy, Kevin Johnston, Paul Johnston, Martin McInerney; Mark Hanrahan, David O’Brien, Ivor White, Chris O’Brien; Stephen Monaghan, Cathal O’Sullivan.
Subs: Conor Hanrahan for K Johnston; Ger Fannin for O’Sullivan; Martin Reidy for C O’Brien.