This article is from page 69 of the 2011-08-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 69 JPG
Scariff 2-12 – Tubber 2-11 at Gurteen
IT WAS drama all the way as a remarkable Scariff comeback blew the group wide open again on Sunday. Ten points down after only 20 minutes, Scariff it seemed required a mini miracle to get anything out of the game and ease their relegation concerns. However they made vital switches that actually turned the tables on previously unbeaten Tubber and opened the door for an upset in the group standings.
With the quarter-final line in sight, Tubber will be kicking themselves that they let this game slip from their grasp. Victory would have greatly aided their passage to the last eight but now, they will need a result in their winner-takes-all last round clash with Inagh/Kilnamona.
They were simply cruising early on after Eamon Taaffe and Darragh O’Connor’s goals pushed them 2-5 to 0-1 clear by the 21st minute. Scariff reshuffled the pack in the hope of sparking a revival and it had the desired effect as Alphie Rodgers and Ross Horan switched wings while the influence of Cathal Nash’s move to centre-back and his brother Diarmaid at midfield were also crucial.
Rodgers picked off two points, Cathal Nash also scored while Ross Horan converted a free to soften the blow by the break at 2-6 to 0-5. Now inspired and gaining momentum, Scariff continued their recovery after the break with Ross Horan bagging 2-3 by the turn of the final quarter to gain parity. Further points from Kenny McNamara and Barry Murphy put the east Clare side ahead for the first time only for Clive Earley and Shane O’Connor to peg them back once more. However, a brace of points from Ross Horan proved decisive and while Patrick O’Connor reduced the gap to the minimum in injury-time, Tubber failed to take their late opportunities as an overjoyed Scariff hung on for the points.
Scariff
Shane Mulvihill (7), Barry McNamara (7), Darragh Kelly (7), JimMinogue (7), Cathal Nash (8) (0-1),
Padraig Brody (7), Patrick Minogue (7), Matthew Horan (6), Diarmaid Nash (8), Ross Horan (9) (27 3f), Kenny McNamara (7) (0-1),Alphie Rodgers (7) (0-2), Mark Mulvihill (7), Michael Moroney (7), Barry Murphy (7) (0-1)
Subs
Shane Corry for M. Horan, Brian Corry for M. Mulvihill
Tubber
RonanTaaffe (7), Paul Fogarty (6), Justin McMahon (7), Eoin Ruane (8), Fergal O’Grady (7), Conor Earley (7), Patrick O’Connor (7) (0-2f), Clive Earley (8) (0-2), Mark Earley (7) (0-2 1f), David O’Donoghue (7), Shane O’Connor (7) (0-1), Gerard O’Connor (7) (0-1), Darragh O’Connor (7) (1-1), Barry O’Connor (7) (0-1), EamonTaaffe (7) (1-1)
Subs
Nigel O’Donoghue for D. O’Donoghue, Conor Clancy for Fogarty, Blaine Earley for B O’Connor
Man of the Match
Ross Horan (Scariff ) Referee Fergie McDonagh (St Joseph’s Doora.Barefield)