This article is from page 68 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 68 JPG
Clonlara 2-19 – Killanena 1-06 O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge
THE LAST time these sides met at championship level, the thrilling 2007 intermediate decider, will live long in the memory and essentially could have gone either way.
Their paths since then have differed however, with the intermediate champions going on to claim a senior double the following year, another final appearance in 2009 before being edged out in last year’s semi-final after a replay.
Killanena on the other hand, finally got over the intermediate line last year but unfortunately due to emigration, have been unable to do themselves justice at the top tier. However, to their credit, despite missing Mark and Ronan Flaherty, Noel Sheedy, Gerry McNamara and John Noonan, they certainly made it more difficult for Clonlara than what was generally expected before the throw-in, even if the dam broke as the second period developed.
Much like their previous tie against Broadford, Clonlara struggled to put away their opponents early on which against more seasoned opponents might have cost them dearly. Granted, they were without county seniors Domhnall O’Donovan and Darach Honan, whose loss would devastate most sides but their lacklustre first half allied to 16 wides gives them a lot to work on ahead of this weekend’s tie against Smith O’Brien’s.
On the plus side, they never looked like losing the tie and in the end, all but goalkeeper Ger O’Connell and the full-back trio got on the scoreboard. Nicky O’Connell and Cormac O’Donovan dominated proceedings while Shane O’Brien completed a memorable three days of debuts with a solid display.
What seemed like a procession at the time began with Clonlara converting five points in eight minutes to open up an early lead but Killanena dug in and through the accurate freetaking of David McNamara, they pulled it back to a two point game by the break at 0-7 to 0-5 following a succession of poor wides from the leaders.
Killanena’s resolve appeared to be broken on the restart when Cormac O’Donovan (2) and Pat O’Hare hit three unanswered points in as many minutes while Donal Madden had a shot smothered in front of goal. However, when the hardworking Fintan McNamara picked out substitute Eoin McMahon to cancel out that early work, Killanena were handed a lifeline.
It was a lifeline that they didn’t cling to however and would only score one more point for the remainder. Instead, that goal apeared to anger the beast and Clonlara lashed back with a further 2-9 in the final 22 minutes.
Essentially, Cormac O’Donovan’s 43rd minute goal was the killer blow in a move that had both greatness and fortitiude at its roots. Pat O’Hare and Nicky O’Connell started the move that gave O’Donovan a lot of work to do around the centre.
However, the county senior controlled the ball expertly and drove at the defence before attempting to pick out Donal Madden with a pass off the hurley that evaded both the full-forward and goalkeeper David Noone before nestling in the corner of the net.
No one could do anything about the second goal only five minutes later however as a Nicky O’Connell lineball picked out fellow county senior John Conlon who cut inside to strike a shot that was saved by Noone, only for Cathal O’Connell to bat the rebound to the net.
It was damage limitation stuff after that as a rampant Clonlara hammered home their victory but still saw a Paul Nihill penalty go the wrong side of the crossbar while Noone was equal to Colm Galvin’s late shot.
Killanena were also reduced to 14 men when substitute Stephen McMahon received a straight red late on but by that stage, Clonlara had the points well wrapped up.
Clonlara
Ger O’Connell (7), Shane O’Brien (7), John Moloney (7), Senan Nihill (7), Nicky O’Connell (8) (0-1f), Paul Nihill (7) (0-1 Pen), Pat O’Hare (7) (0-1), Cormac O’Donovan (8) (1-3), Neilie Ryan (7) (0-3), ColmGalvin (7) (0-2),Tomás O’Donovan (7) (0-1),Tommy Lynch (7) (0-1), John Conlon (7) (0-5 4f), Donal Madden (6) (0-1), Cathal O’Connell (7) (1-0)
Subs
James Hastings (6) for Madden (45 mins), Paul Collins for Nihill (50 mins)
Killanena
David Noone (7), Pat Noone (7), Joe Clancy (7), Barry Noone (7), Shane Moroney (5), John O’Mara (7),Alan McNamara (7), Mikey Noone (6), Enda Collins (7), Martin Glynn (6), Fintan McNamara (7), Declan Noonan (6), Colin McNamara (6), David McNamara (7) (0-6f), Padraig Brady (5)
Subs
Eoin McMahon (6) (1-0) for Brady (25 mins), Stephen McMahon (6) for Noonan (43 mins), John O’Brien (6) for Glynn (47 mins)
Man of the Match
Cormac O’Donovan (Clonlara) Referee KevinWalsh (WolfeTones)