Early Banner blitz puts Leitrim in their place

Job done. The end result was all that counted in Cusack Park last Sunday and Clare secured their fourth win of the 2010 NFL without undue fuss. They blitzed Leitrim in the opening 11 minutes and led 1-5 to 0-0 when Rory Donnelly kicked their fifth point.
The Cooraclare man had already notched Clare’s opening score as the home county started superbly with the wind behind them. Donnelly was fouled for the first of David Tubridy’s three first-half pointed frees, while centre-forward Shane McGrath buried the game’s only goal in the sixth minute.
The Thomas Davis player benefited from Alan Clohessy picking up a break from a Leitrim kick-out. McGrath cut through the centre of the Leitrim defence before stroking home a classy goal.
Leitrim’s James Glancy pointed the first of his four first half points in the 13th minute when he kicked a free given away by Shane McNeilis.
Four minutes later, Leitrim spurned a great chance to make a real game of it when Glancy pointed a penalty conceded by Laurence Healy for what the referee deemed was a third-man tackle on Ray Cox. Gerry Hickey’s high-ball had been punched out by Joe Hayes with defenders and attackers converging on the square.
Rory Donnelly kicked his third point by the 21st minute having been placed by a perceptive David Tubridy pass. That score left Clare 1-6 to 0-2 ahead.
Three Leitrim scores from Glancy and Wayne McKeon were met with replies from Joe Dowling and Shane McGrath. The move for Dowling’s score was started by Alan Clohessy, who was defending deep, while a Gary Brennan run created McGrath’s score, leaving Clare 1-8 to 0-5 ahead at half-time.
Clare weren’t quite as enterprising during the second half and only added four points to their total, while Leitrim kicked a similar tally.
In fact, points from Glancy and Robbie Lowe left Leitrim trailing by just four points, 1-8 to 0-7 with 25 minutes of a wind-assisted half ahead of them.
Clare needed a score to steady themselves and it was Alan Clohessy who kicked two impressive and badly needed points, the second thanks to an excellent move involving Shane Brennan and Rory Donnelly.
Shane McGrath kicked Clare’s closing points, the second thanks to Gary Brennan winning a kick-out and a perfectly timed support run from Gordon Kelly.
Substitute Declan Gilhooley and full-back Ciarán Egan, from a 45’, scored Leitrim’s remaining points.
Clare played well within themselves, particularly in the second period. Their blistering start helped them to establish a foothold that stood them in good stead as the game wore on.
Joe Hayes showed no sign of discomfort in goals. Seven days previously, he sustained a shoulder injury in the opening minute against Carlow but treatment from Cork-based Dr Con Murphy ensured the Lissycasey goalkeeper was fit for the Leitrim game.
The Clare full-back line looked more solid against the wind than they did when Leitrim ran at them in the opening half, while John Hayes made a couple of forceful runs forward from wing-back.
Further up the field, Gary Brenann, Rory Donnelly in the first half, Shane McGrath, all through, and Clohessy with those important points, contributed handsomely to Clare’s performance.
What will be of concern to Clare was Rory Donnelly’s late substitution with a hamstring strain. Having kicked six points from play in his last two games, the Cooraclare man’s fitness is of paramount significance as the closing league fixtures approach.
Leitrim didn’t look particularly threatening at any point but Clare did close out the game without ever being under much pressure. They head to Ruislip on Sunday knowing they cannot take the result for granted given that they are now in control of their own destiny.

Clare: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Barry Hartnett (Meelick), Shane McNeilis (Kildysart), Laurence Healy (Ennistymon); Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane),Gordon Kelly (St Joseph’s, Miltown), John Hayes (Kilrush); Gary Brennan (Clondegad), Ger Quinlan (O’Curry’s); Graham Kelly (St Joseph’s, Miltown),  Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis), Alan Clohessy (Liscannor, captain); Joe Dowling (Ennistymon), David Tubridy (Doonbeg), Rory Donnelly (Cooraclare).
Subs: Shane Brennan (Clondegad) for Graham Kelly (half-time), Timmy Ryan (Kilmihil) for Joe Dowling (46), David Russell (Kilkee) for Ger Quinlan (56), Seán Haugh (O’Curry’s) for Rory Donnelly (64), Stephen Tierney (67).
Scorers: Shane McGrath 1-3, Rory Donnelly 0-3, David Tubridy 0-3f, Alan Clohessy 0-2, Joe Dowling 0-1.
Wides: 10   Frees won: 21   ’45s: 1
Yellow cards: Graham Kelly, Laurence Healy, Joe Dowling, Alan Clohessy.

Leitrim: Cathal McCrann; Alan Wynne, Ciarán Egan, Paddy Maguire (captain); Daniel Beck, Conor Sheridan, Wayne McKeon; Darren Sweeney, Daniel Lowe; Paul Brennan, Robbie Lowe, Gerry Hickey; Adrian Croal, James Glancy, Ray Cox.
Subs: Declan Gilhooley for Adrian Croal, Paddy McGowan for Daniel Lowe, Tomás Beirne for Gerry Hickey.
Scorers: James Glancy (0-5, 0-3f, 0-1pen), Wayne McKeown, Robbie Lowe, Declan Gilhooley (0-1 each), Ciaran Egan (0-1 45’).
Wides: 7   Frees won: 22   ’45s: 2
Yellow cards: Daniel Lowe, Gerry Hickey, Paul Brennan.

Referee: Derek O’Mahony (Tipperary).