Clare 4-26 Carlow 2-13
CLARE scored an emphatic 19 point win over Carlow in Dr Cullen Park on Sunday afternoon. Such was their fluency in attack, ten players contributed to their tally.
[doptg id=”31″]Clare led by 12 points, 2-15 to 1-6 at half time following a superb opening 35 minutes. Rory Donnelly scored the opening Clare goal after picking up a break off Shane Brennan who scored his sides second goal just before half time after a Shane McGrath pass.
Donnelly added two points while Enda Coughlan, McGrath and David Tubridy kicked three points apiece in that opening period.
They were dealt an early setback when Shane Hickey had to retired with a gash to his forehead which required five stitches. He was replaced by Dean Ryan at corner back.
Clare went on to dominate the second period with Podge Collins and Podge McMahon scoring their goals.
While Carlow were poor Clare will be very concerned that they conceded 2-13. With a third round qualifier looming next weekend, Clare will be severely punished if they are as porous defensively.
On an afternoon when they were supported by a sizeable Clare crowd, Gary Brennan completely dominated midfield, while Rory Donnelly, Eoin Cleary, Seán Collins and Jamie Malone played exceptionally well.
Clare: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Shane Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Kevin Hartnett (Meelick), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane); Jamie Malone (Corofin), Gordon Kelly (Miltown), Ciarán Russell (Éire Óg); Gary Brennan (Clondegad-captain), Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis); Seán Collins (Cratloe), Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Shane Brennan (Clondegad); Podge Collins (Cratloe), David Tubridy (Doonbeg), Rory Donnelly (Cooraclare).
Subs: Dean Ryan for Shane Hickey (injured), Podge McMahon for David Tubridy, Cathal O’Connor for Shane McGrath, Shane McNeilis for Ciaran Russell, Eoin Cleary for Podge Collins, Pierce Deloughrey for Joe Hayes,
Scorers: Rory Donnelly (1-3), Podge McMahon (1-2), Enda Coughlan (0-4), David Tubridy (0-4, 0-1f), Shane Brennan (1-1), Podge Collins (1-0), Gary Brennan (0-4, 0-2f), Shane McGrath, Eoin Cleary (0-3 each), Seán Collins (0-2).
Carlow: Andy O’Brien; Richard Mahon, Conor Lawlow, Barry John Molloy; Kieran Nolan, Daniel St Ledger, Benny Kavanagh (captain); Eoghan Ruth, Hugh Gahan; Michael Meaney, Ciarán Moran, David Bambrick; Séamus Kinsella, Darragh Foley, Cathal Coughlan.
Subs: Graham Power for Conor Lawlor, Murtagh Ware for Darragh Foley, Paul Broderick for Seamus Kinsella, Willie Minchin for Michael Meaney, Jordan Lowry for Kieran Nolan.
Scorers: David Bambrick (1-1), Ciaran Moran (1-0), Paul Broderick (0-3, 0-2f), Seamus Kinsella (0-2, 0-1f), Eoghan Ruth, Benny Kavanagh, Michael Meaney, Willie Minchin, Daniel St Ledger, Cathal Coughlan (f) (0-1 each).
Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo).
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.