This article is from page 118 of the 2009-10-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 118 JPG
THE bigger the challenge, the more it seems that this Clonlara side thrive on the occasion as this latest battling performance will testify to. If last year’s county final was a fairytale ride of momentum and an unique team spirit, Sunday’s display cer- tainly surpassed that achievement and proved to their doubters that Clonlara are now a major force in Clare hurling.
Still, there were significant corre- lations to last year’s decider. Again, Clonlara’s big names all stepped up to the plate when it mattered most Whereas Newmarket’s were again conspicuous by their absense and that belly for the battle or indeed lack of was ultimately the difference, despite the south east Clare side being a man down for 35 minutes of this game af- ter John Barry’s first-half dismissal.
More than that though, Newmarket simply demonstrated that they had learned very little from last year. The first sign of fear came with their po- sitional choice of James McInerney to curb John Conlon on the wing, instead of at centre-back where he had been instrumental all year. In addition, the Blues never appeared settled, magnified by the fact that almost every outfield player was switched from his original position by the end of the hour. Their choice of free-takers at times looked un- planned while the use of the extra man was never utilised to the fullest, especially from puck-outs.
Instead, they continued to pum- mel high balls into their non-func- tioning half-forward line that Clon- lara’s huge performers Domhnall O’Donovan, Tomas O’Donovan and Nicky O’Connell lapped up with welcoming ease.
However, Newmarket’s §frailities should not deflect from an outstand- ing, gritty display from the defending champions in what was undoubtedly their most satisfying game to date. A motivated Newmarket came out with all guns blazing in an attempt to ruffle their feathers but Clonlara stood firm and weathered the early storm with little fuss through Cor- mac O’Donovan (2), John Conlon, Nicky O’Connell and Tommy Lynch to open up a O-5 to 0-1 advantage.
This was shaping up to be a fero- cious battle with neither side wilting in the tackle and while the hurling wasn’t of the highest standard early on, it was still utterly compelling SAUUee
Misfiring Newmarket took 27 minutes to add to Colin Ryan’s first minute free but they got a signifi- cant boost when John Barry received his second yellow for a wild pull on Enda Barrett and they soon added their first point from play through David Barrett in the 31st minute.
There was still more drama to come before the sides would retire for the interval as Darach Honan got his first real opportunity to take on the New- market defence but was taken down as he was about to unload for goal, only to eventually claim his first score right on the stroke of half-time
to leave the score 0-6 to O-3.
Having had time to regroup and plan how to effectively use the spare man (James McInerney moved to midfield while Eoin Hayes was the extra man behind the half-back line), Newmarket re-emerged with renewed vigour and in fact, dismantled Clon- lara’s advantage within 90 seconds through Gaffney, Shane O’Brien and Sean Arthur.
In what was their most assertive period of the game, Newmarket then cancelled out a Nicky O’Connell free through substitute Michael MclIn- erney and with only three minutes
gone and the advantage of an extra man, the momentum was now with the Blues.
However, Clonlara have proved throughout their three year succes- sion of highs that they are not ones to back down from a challenge. They duly replied like champions, grab- bing three points in as many minutes, two from substitute William Slattery to reopen a three point advantage.
The decisive score came five min- utes later. It was a goal worthy of winning any game as a quick free from Ger O’Connell picked out brother Nicky who produced a mo-
ment of magic to dummy Martin Murphy before launching a long clearance into Donal Madden who blasted to the net.
Clonlara were now firmly back on top and hit home that advan- tage through Madden (2), Nicky O’Connell and the inspirational Cor- mac O’Donovan to push them 1-14 to O-8 ahead by the 55th minute.
Newmarket’s total collapse was alarming but they simply had no reply to Clonlara’s drive. With the champions half-back line dominat- ing, led by ball magnet Domhnall O’Donovan, it was only a matter of
seeing out the remaining minutes.
Newmarket did produce a late rally, with a Colin Ryan free followed by a scrappy goal from substitute Enda Kelly, but instead of lying down, Clonlara almost secured a goal of their own. Successive shots from John Conlon and Donal Madden were somehow scrambled away by the Newmarket rearguard at the ex- pense of a red card for Padraig Kil- nerVM BOE
The crowd numbers may have not been the same but there was still sig- nificant celebrations from the Clon- lara contingent once the final whistle eventually blew. Not only had they seen off chief rivals Newmarket to reach their second successive senior final but the sheer character of the performance will now surely give them the plaudits they so richly de- serve. Nothing has been won yet of course but this was certainly the most significant day of the 2009 championship to date. A day that this young Clonlara side proved to everyone that they are still the side to beat in the championship and are not about to let their title go without an almighty battle.