This article is from page 56 of the 2011-11-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 56 JPG
Clare League 1 – Roscommon League 0 at The County Grounds, Doora
LAST year Clare reached the semifinal of this competition and were unlucky losers against Kilkenny in that penultimate round tie – this year it’s a case of starting from scratch with no survivors from that side.
However, it was certainly a case of a good start being half the work as the county side – managed by Alfonso D’Auria who is assisted by Dave Kerin and Keith Flynn – got their 2011/2012 Inter-League Youths campaign off to a winning start on Sunday.
The winning goal came 15 minutes into the second half when Dara Kerin’s corner was headed home by Niall Pender for the only goal of the game.
Clare were full value for the win that was built on a solid team performance, with the familiarity between the Avenue players in the starting 11 – they made up eight of the team – being key to the impressive display.
Indeed, they could have won by more than the lone goal. Donal O’Halloran was unlucky in the first half when his drive from 30 yeards seemed to be destined for the net only to hit the post.
The winning start now sets up Clare to challenge strongly to come out of the group and reach the knockout stages. Next up will be the Galway League at an away venue in three weeks time.
Clare League
Nathan Murray (Avenue United), Dean D’Auria (Avenue United), Paddy O’Malley (Avenue United), Kaylan O’Loughlin (Avenue United), Mark Hehir (Bridge United), Donal O’Halloran (Avenue United), Conor O’Brien (Avenue United), Sean Corry (Avenue United), Dara Kerin (Avenue United), Niall Pender (St Pat’s Kilmihil), Emmanuel Abadeyi (Ennis Town Rock)
Subs
Simon McDonagh (Manus Celtic), Raymond Esedebe (EnnisTown Rock), NickyTomasi (Ennis Town Rock).