Ideal conditions and result for Clare

Clare 1-7  Longford 0-8

A STRONG defensive display helped Clare to a surprise but merited win over leaders, Longford in this Division 4 Football League tie played in ideal conditions at Cusack Park on Sunday.
After the disappointment of the previous week when they let victory slip to Roscommon because of their failure to avail of scoring opportunities, this victory came as a pleasant surprise.
While Clare only managed one point in the second half, they showed huge improvement in the area of converting opportunities. They had to withstand strong Longford pressure in the closing stages but despite being reduced to 14 men when Alan Clohessy picked up a second yellow card, they held firm.
The normally accurate David Tubridy had a rare off day against Roscommon but he was in sparkling form on Sunday and kicked some great scores.
The crucial period in this latest outing came in the closing stages of the first half. Having taken an early two-point lead, Clare had been hauled back by the visitors who levelled at 0-4 each with 10 minutes remaining in the half.
Two Tubridy points, the second an excellent effort from play, had the home side two clear as the game went into injury time. In the third of the four signalled minutes, man-of-the-match, Gary Brennan, struck for the game’s only goal which proved to be the decisive score.
A high delivery from Kevin Hartnett, who had another impressive outing, was flicked on by Brennan to the corner of the net to give the home side a five-point cushion at the break when the score was 1-6 to 0-4.
Clare went into the game with two changes in personnel and some positional switches from the side, which disappointed against Roscommon.
John Hayes and Mark Tubridy were both available having served the one-month suspensions they picked up when sent off against Carlow. Both were named in the starting line-up, this time in attack, with Hayes on the 40’ and Tubridy on the wing. They replaced Diarmuid Daly, Dara Blake and Conor Ryan.
In defence, Laurence Healy moved from wing to full-back with Barry Duggan going to the corner and Kevin Hartnett moving out to the wing.
David Tubridy pointed frees in the first and third minutes as the home side made the better start. The game was 11 minutes old before Seán McCormack got the visitor’s first score when he pointed a 25m free. Clare’s two-point advantage was quickly restored when Gary Brennan converted a 47m free, which left the home side 0-3 to 0-1 ahead at the end of the first quarter.
Fifteen minutes into the game, Clare lost midfielder Cathal O’Connor with a neck injury. Shane Brennan came into the attack and Niall Browne went from full-forward to partner Gary Brennan at midfield.
Points were exchanged before two McCormack efforts tied the game at 0-4 each after 25 minutes.
Longford had the first of a number of goal chances a minute later but Joe Hayes advanced quickly to save. Tubridy had put Clare back in front when the visitors introduced Kilmacud Crokes star Brian Kavanagh to their attack at the same time as Clare introduced Enda Lyons for Michael Foran.
Clearly stung by Clare’s strong first-half finish, Longford showed greater urgency on their return for the second period and six minutes into the half, they cut the deficit when McCormack landed another free. They had another goal chance a minute later but Kevin Hartnett intercepted and the danger was averted before a foul on Gary Brennan presented Tubridy with the chance to restore the five-point cushion. It was to be Clare’s only score in a half in which the home side’s defence excelled.
The margin was down to a goal by the midpoint of the half when Clare created a goal opportunity but substitute Darren O’Neill failed to hold possession from a pinpointed Alan Clohessy delivery and the opportunity was lost.
As the half wore on, whistle-happy referee Liam Devanney didn’t endear himself to either side. He awarded a total of 59 frees and issued no less than 10 yellow cards. After 14 scoreless minutes, Longford reduced the deficit to two points when Sean McCormack kicked what proved to be the final score of the game, eight minutes from the end of normal time. Almost six minutes of injury time followed but despite the visitors’ best efforts, the home side held on for victory.
The defence held firm throughout while Gary Brennan turned in a powerful performance at midfield. Up front, David Tubridy, Niall Browne and Alan Clohessy did well but there is room for improvement in this area.

Clare: Joe Hayes; Barry Duggan, Laurence Healy, Martin McMahon; Kevin Hartnett, Gordon Kelly, Shane McNeilis; Cathal O’Connor, Gary Brennan (1-1); Mark Tubridy, John Hayes, Michael Foran; Alan Clohessy, Niall Browne, David Tubridy (0-6).
Subs: Shane Brennan for O’Connor (inj 15 minutes); Enda Lyons for Foran (33 minutes); Darren O’Neill for Lyons (48 minutes); Dara Blake for John Hayes (56 minutes); David O’Connor for M Tubridy (64 minutes).
Scorers: David Tubridy (0-6, 4f); Gary Brennan (1-1, 1f).
Frees for: 34; wides: 4.
Bookings: Martin McMahon (23 minutes); Alan Clohessy (35 minutes and 71 minutes); Darren O’Neill (52 minutes); Dara Blake (60 minutes).
Sent off: Alan Clohessy (71st minute).

Longford: Damien Sheridan; Dermot Brady, Barry Gilleran, Declan Reilly; Shane Mulligan, Diarmuid Masterson, Noel Farrell; Martin Brady, Bernard McElvanney; David Barden, Paul Barden, Niall Mulligan (0-1); Donal McElligott, Paddy Dowd, Sean McCormack (0-6).
Subs: Brian Kavanagh for Dowd (33 minutes); Francis McGee (0-1) for Mulligan (45 minutes); Kevin Diffley for McElvanney (inj 55 minutes); Peter Foy for Masterson (58 minutes); Kevin Mulligan for McElligott (69 minutes).
Scorers: Sean McCormack (0-6, 3f); Niall Mulligan, Francis McGee (0-1) each.
Frees for: 25; wides: 15.
Bookings: Martin Brady (35 minutes); Diarmuid Masterson (37 minutes); Niall Mulligan (44 minutes); Sean McCormack (59 minutes); Barry Gilleran (68 minutes).

Referee: Liam Devanney, Mayo.