This article is from page 62 of the 2011-03-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 62 JPG
Clare 5 – Galway 1 at County Grounds, Doora
A SUPERB and comprehensive victory saw Clare sweep aside the challenge of reigning champions Galway to book a place in the semi-finals of the Inter League Youths Cup on Saturday.
Clare, playing in the knock out stages of the competition for the first time since winning the trophy in 1971, were full value for a win that sets up a semi-final meeting with Kilkenny in the Marble City.
Playing with noticeably more aggression and pace than their opponents, a physically powerful Clare side led 2-0 at half time thanks to goals from Daragh Sexton and Niall Whelan.
Yet Galway weren’t for throwing in the towel. A goal from the visitor’s most impressive player, Timmy Molloy, seconds after the re-start threw the game wide open.
Far from unsettling Clare, the goal prompted a brilliant response from manager Mike Moloney’s team.
Avenue United’s Eoin O’Loughlin poached two goals in the space of two minutes to quell any notion of a Galway comeback. Substitute Eoin Fitzgerald completed the rout in the final moments.
There was plenty to admire about Clare as they went about their business in a game re-fixed for the County Grounds after heavy rain had made the original venue at Tulla unplayable. Niall Whelan was immense in midfield; Colin Smyth gave a classy performance at centre back while Ruairi Norrby, Sexton and O’Loughlin combined to give Clare a deadly cutting edge in the final third. As a whole, Clare defended with purpose and kept their shape.
They made the perfect start. O’Loughlin and Norrby both went close before Clare took the lead. Galway goalkeeper Aaron Connolly’s short kick out was read by Sexton who powered past one defender be- fore curling, a side-footed effort over Connolly in the 15th minute.
Galway steadied and enjoyed more possession but apart from Molloy’s dangerous shot run in the 18th minute, Clare’s goal was rarely threatened. The better chances continued to flow Clare’s way.
Daragh Fitzgerald almost scored after good approach work from Alan Roche and Sexton. Norrby, Fitzgerald and Smyth then all saw efforts saved or clip the bar as Clare turned the screw. The second goal duly arrived in the 42nd minute.
Darren Murphy’s long free kick looked to be travelling wide. Connolly and defender James Casserly dithered. Whelan did not.
The Tulla United man controlled the ball on the byline, held off Casserly and poked the ball home from a tight angle. Advantage Clare.
Galway however had other ideas. A minute into the second half, Smyth was forced to clear off his line but Molloy was on hand to slot home. But the visitor’s hopes were short lived as Clare hit back with a devastating counter attack. As Smyth strode out of defence in the 59th minute, O’Loughlin peeled away into space on the right flank. Smyth located his club mate with a perfectly weighted pass.
Without having to break strike, O’Loughlin rolled the ball past Connolly. O’Loughlin grabbed his second minutes later, finishing from close range after Whelan’s shot was saved. The striker came close to completing his hat trick before Eoin Fitzgerald notched Clare’s fifth goal in the finals seconds.
Clare
Ciarán MacMathuna (EnnisTown), Jack Walsh (Avenue United), Paraic O’Malley (Tulla United), Darren Murphy (Bridge United), Colin Smyth (Avenue United), Niall Whelan (Tulla United), Daragh Fitzgerald (Bridge United),Alan Roche (Avenue United), Eoin O’Loughlin (Avenue United), Daragh Sexton (Avenue United), Ruairí Norrby (Lifford)
Subs
Thomas McKeown (Tulla United) for Daragh Fitzgerald, Dylan Blake (Lifford) for Whelan, Eoin Fitzgerald (Avenue United) for Norrby
Galway
Aaron Connolly, Shane Gallagher, James Moran, Ronan Greany, James Casserly, Barry McEntee, Mark Murphy, LiamHreherow, Mike Collins, Connor Murray,Timmy Molloy
Subs
Daniel Tully for Murphy, Jack Byrne