Sending off costly for Clonlara

Kilmaley 1-13 Clonlara 1-11

A STRONG closing quarter saw Kilmaley edge out Clonlara in a well-contested quarter-final at Cusack Park on Sunday evening and while Kilmaley will feel they just about merited this victory, Clonlara followers will reflect on a contest in which they had enough opportunities to win.
Reduced to 14 men for the final quarter, following the sending off of Tomás O’Donovan on a second yellow card, the South-East Clare side will point to this and eight second-half wides as a major contributory factor in their defeat.
It was a game they looked to have control of on a few occasions over the hour but credit must go to Kilmaley, who refused to give up. Corner-forward, Niall McGuane played a huge part in the win. He created the opening for Seamus Hurley’s goal 11 minutes into the second half, a score that levelled the tie, and he went on to put his side into the lead with an excellent point, five minutes from the end.
Clonlara had the opening score, a point from a long-range free by Nicky O’Connell in the first minute but it was Kilmaley who enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, going 0-4 to 0-1 clear after eight minutes, with the points coming from Niall McGuane, Diarmuid McMahon, Ken Kennedy (free) and Colin Lynch.
Just when it looked like Kilmaley might take control, Clonlara stormed into the game and points from John Conlon, Tomás O’Donovan and Cathal O’Connell tied up the game at 0-4 each with 11 minutes still to play in the half. O’Donovan’s point came when he grabbed a puck-out from Ger O’Connell and drove the ball over the bar for an inspirational score. Seconds later, he picked up what was to prove a very costly yellow card.
Five minutes from the break, Clonlara were awarded a 20m free and centre-back, Paul Nihill came up and drilled the ball low to the net. It sparked off a great spell for the South-East Clare side, followed by points from John Conlon (2), Cormac O’Donovan and Colm Galvin to take a four-point lead, 1-8 to 0-7, to the interval.
Kilmaley had a great chance for a goal early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Niall McGuane. Daire Keane’s effort went high and over the bar.
The goal they needed came 10 minutes later, when Seamus Hurley kicked to the net after Niall McGuane had created the opening. This score tied up the game at 1-10 each.
A minute later, Clonlara were dealt another major blow when Tomás O’Donovan picked up the second yellow following a clash with Conor McMahon, who was also yellow carded. O’Donovan’s booking resulted in his dismissal.
Eight scoreless minutes later, Clonlara substitute, Barry Moloney put his side back in front when he pointed but this proved to be their final score. A Kenneth Kennedy free levelled the tie for the fourth and final time two minutes later, before Niall McGuane hit a great point to give Kilmaley the lead with five minutes remaining.
Clonlara had a couple of great chances to level again but Nicky O’Connell was wide of the target on two occasions, before a Kenneth Kennedy free in the final minute sealed victory for Kilmaley.
Goalkeeper, Kieran Dillon made a couple of excellent saves, while Martin O’Connor, Anthony Cahill, Colin Lynch and Niall McGuane played prominent parts for the winners.
Clonlara full-back, John Moloney was outstanding, while Tomás O’Donovan, until his dismissal, Cillian Fennessy, Colm Galvin and Tommy Lynch were others to impress for the South-East Clare side.

Kilmaley: Kieran Dillon; Colin McGuane, Anthony Cahill, Martin O’Connor; Noel Casey, Alan Markham, Conor McMahon; Kenneth Kennedy, Colin Lynch; Daire Keane, Diarmuid McMahon, Brian McMahon; Niall McGuane, Seamus Hurley, Eoin Enright.
Subs: Michael O’Neill for B McMahon (half time).
Scorers: Kenneth Kennedy (0-5), Seamus Hurley (1-0), Daire Keane and Niall McGuane (0-2) each, Colin Lynch, Brian McMahon, Alan Markham and Diarmuid McMahon (0-1) each.
Frees for: 17; wides: 9
Bookings: Conor McMahon (42 minutes)
“We are absolutely thrilled with the win. It was a massive battle. Clonlara have talented players and even when they were down to 14 men they took the game by the scruff of the neck and battled for everything. Niall McGuane, who is just 19, showed great leadership to put us ahead when the game was in the melting pot. Credit to our fitness coach David O’Brien, we are in good shape and we knew the lads would hurl to the end.” John Carmody, Kilmaley.

Clonlara: Ger O’Connell; Shane O’Brien, John Moloney, Senan Nihill; Nicky O’Connell, Paul Nihill, Cillian Fennessy; Cormac O’Donovan, Cathal O’Connell; Colm Galvin, Tomás O’Donovan, Tommy Lynch; Donal Madden, John Conlon, Oisín O’Brien.
Subs: Barry Moloney for Madden (39 minutes) and Domhnaill O’Donovan for O O’Brien (57 minutes).
Scorers: John Conlon (0-4, 2f), Paul Nihill (1-0f), Tomás O’Donovan (0-2), Nicky O’Connell (f), Cormac O’Donovan, Cathal O’Connell, Colm Galvin and Barry Moloney (0-1) each.
Frees for: 13; wides: 12
Bookings: Tomás O’Donovan (17 minutes and 42 minutes).
Sent off: Tomás O’Donovan (42 minutes).
“The extra man made a big difference. We were going well when we had a player sent off. We had a few bad wides on the evening. In fairness to the lads, they fought to the bitter end and tribute is due to Domhnaill O’Donovan, who togged out for us even through he wasn’t fit to play. It was a tough battle and I wish Kilmaley well in the remainder of the championship.” Tony O’Sullivan, Clonlara.

Referee: Seanie McMahon, Newmarket.