Lilywhites Take The Spoils In Banner National Football League Showdown

Clare’s hopes of promotion from Division Two of the NFL took a serious blow after a 1-16 to 0-13 loss against Kildare in Newbridge.

Clare welcomed back Eoin Cleary for his first start of the season as the Miltown man recovered from a hand injury.

Kildare hit the opening three points of the game through Neil Fynn after he claimed an attacking mark, while Tommy Moolick landed two great scores from distance.

Clare responded well, with David Tubridy slotting a free after Keelan Sexton was fouled, while Sexton himself sent over “45 just moments later.

Kildare then struck for a penalty, but Clare were the authors of their own misfortunes as Pierce DeLoughery’s kick-out was intercepted by the Kildare attack. Gordon Kelly committed the foul just inside the area to stop a certain goal, which saw the Miltown man dismissed to the bin on a black card. Tommy Moolick stood over the kick, and made no mistake with a good finish to the bottom corner to leave his side 1-3 to 0-2 ahead.

Eoin Cleary responded with a brilliant score from a sideline kick, but four unanswered for the home side saw them stretch 1-7 to 0-3 clear with 10 minutes to go to the break.

Two points from Cleary came either side of two excellent scores from Ben McCormack, before Flynn landed another free to leave the half-time score Kildare 1-10 Clare 0-5.

The sides traded scores after the restart with Hyland and Jamie Malone on target, before Eoin Cleary slotted another free.

Jamie Malone landed another great score from distance to cut the gap to six, before David Hyland raided from corner back to settle his side.

Clare hit the next 0-4 unanswered, with two from Malone along with a free from Cleary and fine effort from Cathal O’Connor to leave it Kildare 1-12 Clare 0-12 with 15 minutes left in the game.

Jimmy Hyland, Neil Flynn and Ben McCormack arrested the rot for Kildare with three in a row to restore a six point lead, and ended any hope of a Clare comeback.

Adam Tyrell landed a free soon after to make it a seven point game, before Jamie Malone slotted his fifth.

Clare ended the game with 14 men as Cormac Murray was dismissed for a high challenge on Kildare centre back Eoin Doyle, as a disappointing day ended in defeat for Clare.

Clare: Pierce DeLoughrey (Cratloe); Kevin Hartnett (Meelick), Cillian Brennan (Clondegad), Gordon Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown); Dean Ryan (Eire Óg), Aaron Fitzgerald (Eire Óg), Conall O’hAinifein; Gary Brennan (Clondegad, c), Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen); Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora), Jamie Malone (Corofin), Dale Masterson (St Breckan’s); Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane), David Tubridy (Doonbeg).

Subs: Cormac Murray (St Joseph’s Miltown) for Sexton , Kieran Malone (St Joseph’s Miltown) for O’hAinifein, Gearoid O’Brien (Kilrush Shamrocks) for Masterson, Sean Collins (Cratloe) for Ryan, Gavin Cooney (Eire Óg) for Tubridy.

Scorers: Jamie Malone (0-5),Eoin Cleary (0-5, 3f, 1 sideline), Keelan Sexton, David Tubridy, and Cathal O’Connor (0-1 each).

Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Mark Dempsey, Mick O’Grady, David Hyland; Jason Gibbons, Eoin Doyle (c), Peter Kelly; Kevin Feely, Tommy Moolick; Paddy Brophy, Fergal Conway Keith Cribbin; Neil Flynn, Ben McCormack, Jimmy Hyland.