This article is from page 66 of the 2011-12-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 66 JPG
Lifford 4 – EnnisTown/Rock 2 at Cassidy Park, Ennis
A STORMING second half performance saw Lifford make light work of Ennis Town/Rock on Sunday.
The teams were level at half time with the home side drawing level shortly after Town had taken the lead. It was shaping up to be a close and tightly contested affair after the break but two quick goals accelerated Lifford into a winning position.
First Ruairi Norrby’s clever free kick deceived Town goalkeeper Stephen Loftus to find the bottom corner. Clearly re-energised after taking the lead, Donal Magee’s side sought to press home their advantage.
They did so by ruthlessly capitalis- ing on a couple of careless moments of Town defending. Scott Hennessy breached the rearguard to slam home a half volley to make it 3-1.
The points were in the bag when Lunga Balman seized on a half chance to bury a shot that cannoned in off the crossbar. Town upped their performance and were rewarded through Stephen Hickey’s power- fully struck consolation goal.
After defeating Avenue United in the league cup final, Sunday’s convincing victory shows Lifford, in their 50th year, are genuine title contenders.
That said they had a bit of work to do before taking control of a game played out on a surface in remarkably good condition considering the amount of rainfall in recent weeks.
The visitors took the lead when Town’s most impressive performer Marty McLoughlin toe poked home from close range.
The lead didn’t last too long as Pat Darcy drilled home from outside the area to equalise minutes later.
Chances were few and far between before the floodgates and the skies opened in the second half.
Norrby’s clipped free kick was swiftly followed by Hennessy’s half volley.
With Hamed Kuku having a fine game at centre back, Balman made it 4-1 late one before Hickey blasted home in the closing moments. A great goal but not enough to deny Lifford a third league victory.
Lifford
Jean DeSilva, Eoin Murphy, Hamed Kuku, Mickey Joe Sullivan, Dylan Blake, Ruairi Norrby, Pat Darcy, Pa Mannion, Lunga Balman, Ryan Boyle, Scott Hennessy
Subs
Darren O’Neill for Boyle
Ennis Town/ Rock
Stephen Loftus, Barry Woods, JasonWhite, Shane Daniels, Ronan Judge, Richie Neylon,AdrianWalsh, Daryl Eade, Marty McLoughlin, Stephen Hickey, Niall McNevin
Subs
GaryWalsh for McNevin, Michael Dinan for Woods, Ethan Considine for A Walsh
Referee
Padraig Sutton