FOOTBALL: Clare curse continues after Meath defeat at death

National Football League Division 2 Round 6

Meath 0-10 Clare 0-9

By Eoin Brennan

CLARE’S current rut continued as bogey side Meath inflicted a fifth successive victory over Colm Collins’ side in as many seasons in front of 1,375 in Cusack Park, Ennis.

Following back-to-back defeats, Clare looked to have stopped the rot when snatching the whip hand in the second period without ever getting away from the obstinate visitors. However, with a merited share of the spoils being the most likely outcome as the clock ticked inexorably into its final minute of additional time, Clare would be made to stomach their most gut-wrenching reverse to date as a defensive lapse allowed Meath to counter-attack and pop up for a winner at the death.

Victory ensured Meath’s Division 2 status for another year but while Clare are virtually safe as well, they still need to finish the league on a positive note in Down next Sunday following their recent glut of disappointing results and more worryingly a mounting injury list.

Losing both Podge Collins and Alan Sweeney only seven days earlier, Manus Doherty and the ever-impressive Cillian Brennan both went off with hamstring injuries early in the second period.

Level six times over the 70 minutes, a draw would have been the fairest outcome so to lose in such a flooring manner was exceedingly frustrating.

Meath had started the more efficient side as while Clare kicked three early wides and saw an Emmet McMahon bullet stopped by goalkeeper Harry Hogan, Meath cooly converted frees from Jordan Morris (2) and Shane Walsh to move 0-3 to 0-0 in front by the end of the opening quarter.

Eoin Cleary finally opened the home side’s account in the 21st minute from 40 metres and would made a full recovery within seven additional minutes after Keelan Sexton arrowed over a brace of frees.

Indeed, Walsh and Bryan Menton points would both be cancelled out by captain Cleary as Clare gathered momentum at the perfect time at 0-5 to 0-5 by the break.

That trend would be maintained on the restart when Keelan Sexton (2) and Emmet McMahon kicked three of the first four points to move 0-8 to 0-6 in front amidst a black card for Meath’s Gavin McGowan.

The Leinster side never let it derail their challenge though as first substitute Joey Wallace and Cillian O’Sullivan regained parity entering the final ten minutes before the experienced Bryan McMahon matched a worthy point from fellow replacement Conor Jordan at 0-9 to 0-9 by the 65th minute.

Both sides kicked wides and were hit by further black cards but just when it seemed as if a draw was inevitable, Clare coughed up possession on the ’40 for Ronan Jones and Eoin Harkin to combine and tee up James Conlon for the pivotal final point.

Clare captain Eoin Cleary finds support as Meath fullback Conor Magill closes in. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Clare captain Eoin Cleary leads his team out for the game against Meath Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Clare manager Colm Collins consoles his players after they lost out in extra time to Meath at Cusack Park. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Clare’s Conor Jordan kicks his team into a short-lived lead with two minutes of normal time remaining. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Aaron Griffin pushes past Robin Clarke and awaits the challenge of Meath’s Bryan Menton. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Meath goalkeeper Harry Hogan clears his lines ahead of Gavin Cooney’s challenge. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Conor Magill wins a high ball into the square ahead of Clare’s Aaron Griffin. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Jamie Malone takes evasive action when confronted by Donal Keogan of Meath. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Jamie Malone takes evasive action when confronted by Donal Keogan of Meath. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

David Tubridy drives the ball into the square. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Meath’s Shane Walsh shields the ball from Pearse Lillis and Jamie Malone of Clare. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Darren O’Neill finds his route to goal blocked by Conor Magill and Bryan Menton of Meath. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Clare’s Cian O’Dea easily pushes past Robin Clarke of Meath. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Clare captain Eoin Cleary kicks a point from play for the home team. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Manus Doherty drives the ball to the Clare forwards ahead of Jordan Morris’s challenge. Photography by Eugene McCafferty National Football League Division 2 Clare 0-09 Meath 0-10

Meath: Harry Hogan (Longwood); Robin Clarke (Duleek Bellewstown), Conor McGill (Ratoath),

Jordan Muldoon (Gaeil Colmcille); Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), Eoin Harkin (Summerhill), Gavin McGowan (Ratoath); Bryan Menton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Ronan Jones (Dunboyne); Jason Scully (Oldcastle), Thomas O’Reilly (Wolfe Tones), Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin); Jordan Morris (Nobber), Shane Walsh (Na Fianna), Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey)

Subs: Joey Wallace (Ratoath) for Walsh (49), Bryan McMahon (Ratoath) for O’Reilly (59), Jack O’Connor (Curraha) for Scully (63), James Conlon (St Colmcille’s) for Morris (68)

Scorers: Shane Walsh (0-3, 2f); Jordan Morris (0-2f); Bryan Menton, Joey Wallace (m), Cillian O’Sullivan, Bryan McMahon, James Conlon (0-1 each)

Clare: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks); Manus Doherty (Éire Óg), Cillian Brennan (Clondegad), Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon); Jamie Malone (Corofin), Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora), Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis, Mayo); Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg), Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg); Emmet McMahon (Kildysart), Eoin Cleary (St. Joseph’s Miltown), Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare); Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey), Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane), David Tubridy (Doonbeg)

Subs: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Collins (HT), Conor Jordan (Austin Stack’s, Kerry) for Doherty (39, inj), Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg) for Brennan (49, inj), Joe McGann (St Breckan’s) for Griffin (63)

Scorers: Keelan Sexton (0-4, 3f); Eoin Cleary (0-3); Emmet McMahon, Conor Jordan (0-1 each)

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary)