This article is from page 66 of the 2011-03-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 66 JPG
Tubber 1-15 – Tulla/Bodyke 1-15 at Ballyea
BALLYEA had bragging rights from the day before when they scored a comprehensive victory in the Under 21 B quarter-final, but in this Clare Cup game out Tubber showed their battling qualities when landing two injury time points to earn a deserved share of the spoils.
Deserved, because of the way Tubber rolled up their sleeves in the second half when finding themselves six points adrift to a Ballyea side that seemed to be motoring towards victory on their first day out.
The came was delicately poised at half-time with Ballyea armed with a 1-7 to 1-5 advantage after they had forged ahead early on thatnks to a Francie Neylon goal as early as the seventh minute.
Four points in a row in as many minutes between the 16th and 20th minutes from Paul Flanagan, Francie Neylon, Tony Griffin and Niall Deasy put the home side 1-5 to 0-3 clear but a Cyril Cunningham goal for Tubber in the 25th minute brought them back into the tie before the break.
Two Patrick O’Connor pointed frees to bring his tally for the half to four in response to two from play by Tony Griffin, who also hit four in the half, left the game delicately poised on the turnover.
However, Ballyea’s fast start with points from Tony Griffin, Niall Deasey (2) and Francis O’Reilly inside five minutes of the re-start put them 1-11 to 1-5 ahead and in control.
But, it was as good as it got for Ballyea, as a mini-collapse helped Tubber gain a foothold once more, so much so that points over the nest 20 minutes the north Clare side outscored the home side by 0-8 to 0-2 to bring the sides back level.
Patrick O’Connor was the scorerin-chief with five more points from placed balls, while Cyril Cunningham, Jack Neylon, Cyril Cunningham and Mark Earlie chipped in with points from play.
With the sides locked at 1-13 apiece all was to play for but Ballyea recovered their composure to hit the front again by two thanks to points from Tony Griffin and Gearóid O’Connell, only for Tubber to get their reward with points in the 63rd and 65th minutes from Jack Neylon and Patrick O’Connor respectively.
Ballyea
Shane O’Neill, Eamon Griffin, Kevin Sheehan, David Sheehan, Niall Keane, Paddy O’Connell, James Murphy, Paul Flanagan (0-2), Francis O’Reilly (0-1), Gearóid O’Connell (0-1),Alan Carrigg, Niall Deasey (0-2), Declan Keane,Tony Griffin (0-8), Francie Neylon (1-1).
Sub
Frankie Griffin for Keane.
Tubber
RonanTaaffe, Gerard Brohan, Eoin Ruane, John O’Connor,Tommy Lee, Conor Earlie (0-1), Mark Earlie, Patrick O’Connor (0-8), Clive Earlie (0-2), David O’Donoghue, Barry O’Connor, Jack Neylon (0-2), Blaine Earlie (0-1), Shane O’Connor, Cyril Cunningham(1-1).
Subs
Justin McMahon for Brohan, Fergal O’Grady for Lee, Nigel O’Donoghue for Blaine Earlie.
Man of the Match
Tony Griffin (Ballyea) Referee Fergie McDonagh (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield)