The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Clare 1-20
Galway 0-25
By Ivan Smyth
CLARE’S winless run against Galway continues as Brian Lohan’s charges suffered a two point defeat in Pearse Stadium
The result means Clare have not beaten the Tribesmen since 2013 with six winless games during that period against Sunday’s opponents.
In the end Galway’s greater spread of scores told with eight Galway players finding the target in comparison to five for Brian Lohan’s men.
Galway outscored their opponents by 0-10 to 1-3 between the 31st and 47th minutes. A Tony Kelly penalty helped Clare reel in their opponents but despite Brian Lohan’s men firing in four points in a row midway through the second half, they were never able to draw level as GaLway held on.
Although Brian Lohan won’t be unduly concerned by the defeat, the sight of Ian Galvin going off 24 minutes after coming on is a concern. Peter Duggan got more minutes under his belt after coming on in the 46th minute while Ryan Taylor looked sharp up front as he fired over five points from play.
David Fitzgerald added four of his own, all from play but in truth Galway looked the sharper side especially in the second half as Clare hit two late points to engineer hopes of a late comeback win.
They ran out of time though as they must dust themselves down for an opening round Munster Championship game with Tipperary on April 24.
In a tight opening half the sides were level nine times with Brian Lohan’s side managing to reel in a one point deficit on four separate occasions in the opening 10 minutes.
Ryan Taylor managed to open the Clare account after Cathal Mannion had put the home side in to an early lead. Tony Kelly’s trio of points helped Clare hit back after scores from Conor Cooney, Tom Monaghan and Padraic Mannion.
After a fine Eibhear Quilligan save from a low Conor Whelan effort, Kelly and Cathal Malone efforts helped Clare move 0-6 to 0-4 in front. Galway were able to carve out scoring opportunities with slightly greater regularity than Clare in the opening half as the Tribesmen hit 10 of their 14 points from open play compared to seven out of Clare’s 12 point haul.
Henry Shefflin’s side kept clawing back their deficits despite David Fitzgerald firing over after a fine Jason McCarthy pass set him up. Three Kelly frees helped to level the game at 0-10 apiece but Galway struck four points on the spin to ensure they would lead at the break.
A trademark Conor Whelan sprint from full forward culminated in him angling an effort eover before Tom Monaghan fired over after Cathal Mannion set him up. The duo combined again with Mannion finishing before Conor Cooney added a free.
Ryan Taylor stopped the rot as he struck his third point from play in the opening half before the fleet footed Shane Meehan fired over his first of the day as Clare trailed by 0-14 to 0-12 at half time.
However, Clare were unable to edge in front at any point in the second half as they now prepare themselves for Championship combat.
Clare: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle), Mike Gough (Smith O’Briens), Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg), Paul Flanagan (Ballyea), Jack Browne (Ballyea), John Conlon (Clonlara), David McInerney (Tulla), Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge), Jason McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona), Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona), Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin), Shane Meehan (Banner), Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
Subs: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin), for Crotty (11-14 mins), Ian Galvin (Clonlara) for Crotty (h-t), Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin) for Golden (46), Robin Mounsey (Ruan) for Ian Galvin (53), Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones) for McInerney (58),
Scorers: Tony Kelly (1-9, 0-6 frees, 1-0 pen, 0-2 ‘65), Ryan Taylor (0-5 each), David Fitzgerald (0-4) Cathal Malone and Shane Meehan (0-1 each).
Galway: Éanna Murphy (Tommy Larkins), Jack Grealish (Gort), Daithi Burke (Turloughmore), Darren Morrissey (Sarsfields), Tiernan Killeen (Loughrea), Gearóid McInerney (Oranmore/Maree), Padraic Mannion (Ahascragh/Fohenagh), Tom Monaghan (Craughwell), Conor Cooney (St. Thomas’), Cianan Fahy (Ardrahan), Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh/Fohenagh), Brian Concannon (Killimordaly), Conor Whelan (Kinvara),
Subs: Fintan Burke (St. Thomas’) for Killeen (41), Shane Ryan (Clarinbridge) for Morrissey (53), Gavin Lee for Concannon (54), David Burke (St. Thomas’) for Glennon (61), Evan Niland (Clarinbridge) for Fahy (61)
Scorers: Conor Cooney (0-12, 0-7 frees, 0-2 ’65), Cathal Mannion (0-5), Tom Monaghan and Conor Whelan (0-2), Cianan Fahy, Ronan Glennon, Evan Niland and Padraic Mannion (0-1 each).
Referee: James Owens (Wexford).
