This article is from page 64 of the 2011-08-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 64 JPG
Cooraclare 2-11 – Éire Óg 0-9 at St Michael ’s Park, Kilmihil
COORACLARE came roaring back into the championship on Saturday night with a comprehensive and thoroughly deserved victory over Eire Óg.
Much like the epic trilogy played by these two teams in last year’s quarter finals, this group two meeting was do or die. Both teams had lost their opening matches but from very early on it was evident that the consequences of defeat had stimulated a far more urgent and passionate performance in Cooraclare than they had done in Eire Óg.
Barely 50 seconds had elapsed when Gearóid Looney punched to the back of net for a Cooraclare goal. A point swiftly followed. Inspired by outstanding performances from captain Mark Tubridy, Rory Donnelly and wing back Declan McMahon; the men in light blue lead never relinquished their lead.
An eight point winning margin in no way flatters Cooraclare. They could have won by more. Two decent goal chances went a begging while Donnelly saw a second half penalty saved. A place in the knock out stages remains a strong possibility or Aidan Moloney’s side.
The same cannot be said for Eire Óg, who, after a second successive championship loss, are almost out of the race for Jack Daly.
There were moments when the Townies threatened to reel in their more energetic opponents. But overall they couldn’t get to grips with the pace of Rory Donnelly or the irrepressible Tubridy, who, though named at centre forward, seemed to be everywhere. Cooraclare were faster to the breaks and there was a far greater assuredness and confidence about their play. Eire Óg’s forwards, with the exception of Eoin Glynn and Sean Crotty, struggled to retain possession and create scoring opportunities.
Cooraclare had no such troubles. Tubridy seized on a long clearance, forced his way past two Eire Óg defenders and crossed for Gearóid Looney to goal after 50 seconds. John Looney, who also put in a commendable shift, pointed a minute later before Eire Óg goalie Eoin Slattery produced a fine stop to deny Tubridy. Tubridy’s persistence was then rewarded with a point before the Townies finally got on the scoreboard through Sean O’Meara’s 15th minute free. Shane Daniels slotted over a free before Michael McMahon converted for Cooraclare to leave the west Clare side leading 1-3 0-2.
Daniels and Glynn rounded off well worked moves with points before another McMahon free and a powerfully struck score from blood sub David Russell left the half time score 1-4 0-5.
With a slight wind at their backs, Cooraclare got of to flying start after the break with points from Tubridy and Donnelly. Then in a crucial fiveminute period, Daniels and O’Meara missed two scoreable frees as Cooraclare extended their lead to six points through scores from Tubridy and John Looney. Sean O’Meara bagged a point in the 44th minute but the hammer blow was on its way.
Tubridy did exceptionally well to catch a ball destined to go wide before squeezing a shot to the net in the 46th minute. Cooraclare led 2-8 0-6 and the outcome was beyond doubt. John Looney and John Considine kicked two more points as efforts from Daniels and Saran Butler kept the townies’ faint chances alive. John Looney kicked the final point as Coorclare get their campaign back on track.
Cooraclare
Declan Keane (7), Fergal Lillis (7), Conor Marinan (7),Thomas Downes (7), David Marinan (7),Thomas Donnellan (7), Declan McMahon (8),AndrewO’Neill (7), Joe Considine (0-1) (7), Gearóid Looney (1-0) (7), MarkTubridy (1-3) (9), Sean McGuire (7), Rory Donnelly (0-1) (8), John Looney (0-4)(1f) (8), Michael McMahon (0-2)(2f) (7)
Subs
Michael Kelly (7) for McGuire, Kieran Hassett (7) for MMcMahon, Sean McGuire for Considine
Eire Óg
Eoin Slattery (7), Dean Ryan (7), Donie Lyne (6), Conor Healy (6), David Ryan (7),Alan Malone (6), Nicky Hogan (6), Darren O’Neill (6), Shane Daniels (7) (0-4)(2f), Saran Butler (6) (0-1), David Monaghan (6), Brian McMahon (6), Sean O’Meara (6) (0-2)(1f), Sean Crotty (7), Eoin Glynn (7) (0-1)
Subs
David Russell (6) (0-1) for Healy, Brian Frawley for O’Neill, Darren O’Meara for Lyne
Man of the Match
Mark Tubridy (Cooraclare) Referee Barry Kelly (Miltown)