Pender’s goal earns Clare Youths a winning start

Clare  1
Roscommon 0

Clare soccer received a huge boost at the County grounds on Saturday when the county’s youths side made a winning start to the inter-youths league.

The game’s only goal came as the three quarter stage approached when Niall Pender from St.Pats was on target following a Dara Kerins corner.
It was a deserved success for an Avenue United – inspired Clare side who had come close to breaking the deadlock on a number of occasions in the opening half.
Early in the game Roscommon’s Morgan Lyons caused a number of problems for the home side but Kaylan O’Loughlin did well in the Clare defence.
Clare came close in the 18th minute but Donal O’Halloran’s shot hit the post. Shortly after this it was Roscommon’s turn to threaten but Clare’s goalie, Nathan Murray saved well from Lyons.
Clare continued to threaten with Mark Hehir, Dean D’Auria, Emmanual Obadeyi and Dara Kerins al causing problems for the visitor’s defence.
The all important breakthrough came 20 minutes into the second half when Pender was on hand to beat the Roscommon defence following Kerin’s cross.
The goal was a just reward for Clare’s efforts and they held the upperhand from here to the finish.
In three weeks time Clare travel to play Galway and a victory here will put them through to the next stage of the competition.
Clare: Nathan Murray (Avenue Utd), Dean D’Auria (Avenue Utd), Paddy O’Malley (Avenue Utd), Kaylan O’Loughlin (Avenue Utd); Mark Hehir (Bridge Utd), Niall Pender (St Pat’s), Cormac O’Brien (Avenue Utd), Sean Corry (Avenue Utd), Donal O’Halloran (Avenue Utd), Dara Kerins (Avenue Utd), Emmanuel Obadeyi (Ennis Town Rock).
Subs: Nicki Twumasai (Avenue Utd) for Corry; Simon McDonagh (Manus Celtic); Obadeyi Esanday (Ennis Town Rock) for O’Halloran.
Roscommon: James Ryan; Luke Burke, Michael Flynn, Adrian Cassidy, Michael McNeil, Stephen Ryan, Joe Loughrey, Josh Gallagher, Darragh Geraghty, Andrew Cunnane, Morgan Lyons.
Referee: Dave McCarthy; linesmen: M Monaghan and T Guilfoyle.