This article is from page 61 of the 2011-04-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 61 JPG
Corofin Harps 0 – Burren United 1 at Corofin
THERE was never going to be much between the sides in this north Clare derby and so it proved when it took one piece of individual magic 15 minutes before the end to break the deadlock of a dour, yet gripping quarter-final tie played on Sunday afternoon.
This clinching strike came when Daniel Carey launched a long delivery upfield and uphill over the retreating Harps central defender Michael Concannon – it looked to be keeper Mike Heath’s ball but Martin McDonagh brilliantly judged the flight to volley the ball to the net.
It brought this cup tie to life, making for a do-or-die final flurry from a Harps team bidding to get back into a first cup semi-final since 2006, the year they won their second Clare Cup title in a row.
Burren had forced the pace in the first half when playing down the slope, but failed to convert a couple of half chances that came their way – Danny Burke threatening on a few occasions when latching onto crosses from the byline.
Michael Keating also flashed a 30yard drive over Mike Heath’s goal in the 20th minute, while down the oth- er end the imposing presence of John McDonagh at the centre of the defence was key as they shielded themselves from the aerial bombardment of Ronnie Meere’s long throws.
However, when Burren failed to capitalise on the advantage of the slope it seemed as if Corofin had the edge for the second half. How wrong could you be, because with McDonagh dominating and with Enda Coughlan and Ian McInerney also in inspired form it was Burren who again forced the pace before getting their reward with Martin McDonagh’s wonder strike.
That Burren played themselves into this winning position was all the more impressive given that they were without an influential trio of players in Evan Talty, Noel Downes and Liam Keane.
When they were a goal adrift, Corofin finally moved John Keane from defence to attack – this move should have been made much earlier because the big man helped cause consternation in the Burren defence in the closing stages.
Corofin thought they’d forced the game into extra time with five minutes left when Keane’s header looked to be heading over the line via both post and crossbar until Burren keeper Craig Flanigan saved right on the whitewash.
It was as close as Corofin got – now Burren are tantalisingly close to a first Clare Cup final appearance since 2001 when they were beaten 21 by Bunratty in the final.