This article is from page 71 of the 2011-04-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 71 JPG
Clare 4-28 – Carlow 0-08 at Cusack Park, Ennis
DOING the basic math this was about beating Carlow to reach the final frontier of a National League final – putting applied mathematics into the equation, what this league is really about is making sure that Clare don’t have to take themselves up to Carlow in the 2012 campaign.
The chance to make sure they don’t have to make the journey comes against Limerick on Sunday week after this facile victory over a game, but (as we always knew would be the case) limited Carlow side.
Sure, they had run Clare to a solitary point in Dr Cullen Park last year, but given the recent disappointment endured by Ger O’Loughlin’s charges in O’Moore Park, anything other than a backlash victory of sizeable proportions would have been a disappointment – downright failure even.
Cue this performance then, with a rampant Clare having 32 points to spare in the end as a chastened Carlow trudged off the field wondering what had hit them on their first visit to Cusack Park in 21 years.
Back then, when Carlow were beaten by 25 points, they had to draft in first generation Clareman Leo McGough from the press benches as an emergency sub – this time they had enough numbers, but were much worse off.
It was that kind of day – from the Clare point of view it had a summer feel to it as they reached a second success final, from Carlow’s it was a harsh lesson in the fact of life that they’re still just a Christy Ring Cup side.
Clare may have been sluggish in the opening exchanges as Carlow’s early enthusiasm had them on level terms at 0-2 apiece after ten minutes. Alas for Carlow, the gulf in standard gradually got wider as Clare hit 1-7 without reply in a 15 minute spell that killed the contest and booked a league final berth with some 45 minutes to spare.
It was very easy once Clare broke free with good points from play by Jonathon Clancy, Diarmuid McMahon and John Conlon to lead by 0-5 to 0-2 by the 13th minute.
Carlow’s resolve bending – then it was broken ten minutes later when Clare followed up three more points via Conor McGrath, John Conlon and Colin Ryan with a 23rd minute goal. Conor McGrath was the provider when he raced in along the endline, crossed to Diarmuid McMahon who batted to the net from six yards.
After that, it was just a matter of what the winning margin would be – the gap was stretched to 14 by halftime as Clare outscored a hapless Carlow side by 0-8 to 0-2 in the closing ten minutes of the half.
It was exhibition stuff as Conor McGrath (2), Nicky O’Connell and Diarmuid McMahon hit points from play, while O’Connell’s eye was in from long range frees to pile on the misery and pile up a 1-15 to 0-4 interval lead.
Any notion that Clare might ease up in the second half was dispelled eight minutes in when Colin Ryan elected to drill a 21-yard free to the net past a forest of Carlow hurleys on the line, rather than take his point.
Put simply, Clare weren’t just happy to win pulling up – they were ruthless and went about obliterating the Barrowsiders in that second half as they racked up 3-13 as against Carlow’s meagre 0-4.
It was target practice, whether for points or goals as Clare moved 3-18 to 0-4 clear by the 52nd minute before Ruairi Dunbar opened Carlow’s account for the half – Clare’s third goal came 17 minutes in when Jonathon Clanchy drilled home from 12 yards.
Diarmuid McMahon brought his tally for the day to 2-4 from play with a goal in the 64th minute, while subs Sean Collins and Conor Tierney as well as the hugely impressive John Conlon and Nicky O’Connell also chipped in with points.
The end couldn’t come quick enough for Carlow – the next game can’t come quick enough for Clare. It’s always the case when you score big and win big.
Clare
Donal Tuohy (7), Pat Vaughan (7), Conor Cooney (8), Domhnall O’Donovan (7), Patrick O’Connor (7), Cian Dillon (7), Patrick Donnellan (7), Nicky O’Connell (8) (0-7, 3f, one 65), Liam Markham(7), John Conlon (8) (0-3), Fergal Lynch (6), Jonathon Clancy (8) (1-3), Conor McGrath (7) (0-3), Diarmuid McMahon (8) (2-4), Colin Ryan (7) (1-4, 1-1f). Subs Gerry Quinn (6) for O’Connor [52 Mins], Cathal McInerney (6) for McGrath [54 Mins], Sean Collins (7) (0-2) for Lynch [57 Mins], Brendan Bugler (6) for Markham[60 Mins], Conor Tierney (7 )(0-1) for Ryan [65 Mins].
Carlow
Nicky Roberts,Alan Corcoran, Shane Kavanagh, Brian Doyle, Des Shaw, Dwayne Kavanagh, Richard Coady, Jack Kavanagh, John Rogers,Alan McDonald, Eddie Byrne, James Doyle, Craig Doyle, Eoin Nolan, Ruairi Dunbar. Subs Paudei Kehoe for Doyle, Hugh O’Bryne for Dwyane Kavanagh, James O’Hara for Coady, Killian McCabe for McDonald, Eddie Kane for Corcoran.
Man of the Match
Diarmuid McMahon (Clare)
Referee
Michael Haverty (Galway)