This article is from page 70 of the 2011-08-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 70 JPG
Galway 1-23 – Clare 1-18 (After Extra-Time) at Croke Park
EXTRA-TIME or not extra-time: that was the question that permeated around Croke Park on Sunday after a gruelling 60-minute struggle.
With no reference to it in the match programme or offical fixture notification, the entire media section and supporters also in the dark and even the teams not aware of the extra period, it was left to a delayed postmatch official notification to eventually dictate the extention.
Unfortunately for Clare, it was to be the rock that they would perish on as Galway’s physicality had taken its toll and in truth, there was only one side in the additional 20 minute period. It was a heartbreaking end to another memorable year for the county minors as they had thrown everything into the budgeted hour but their luck just ran out in the end.
Instead, fortune favoured the brave as an injury-time scrambled goal handed Galway a lifeline while only inches denied Tony Kelly a final winner.
Ironically, Clare’s golden era in the 90’s had begun with a free from 65 metres that rebounded off the upright for Eamon Taaffe to grab a goal but this time, Kelly’s free from the opposite side rebounded to safety.
Galway’s timely use of their strong bench, who ended with a combined total of seven points, allied to key displays from Pádraig Brehony, Jonathan Glynn and Shane Maloney saw them finish the stronger side and they carried that momentum into the extra period when outscoring their war weary neighbours by 0-8 to 0-3.
In truth, despite leading for the majority of normal time, Clare never reached the heights of their masterful Munster final display and as has been highlighted throughout their campaign, the central diamond of Jamie Shanahan, Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly and Cathal O’Connell were critical to Clare’s hopes.
Hence it was something that Galway had obviously done their homework on as they were able to curb that quartet’s influence and as the game developed it was to be the springboard to gaining a major foothold in the game.
There were to be other shining lights for Clare however, with Aaron Cunningham arguably Clare’s best player over the 80 minutes while Peter Duggan, Jack Browne and full debutant Shane O’Brien showed well.
With Galway threatening early on without hitting the target as often as they should have, Clare were the more efficient side. Cathal O’Connell (4), Cunningham (2), Shane O’Donnell (2) and Tony Kelly helped them to a 0-9 to 0-5 half-time advantage while the full-back line kept the Banner from leaking a goal.
Having perhaps paid too much respect to their opponents in that opening half, Galway smelled blood, hitting five of the next six points by the 42nd minute to gain parity for the first time in 32 minutes.
The physical presence of Glynn, Brehony and Jack Carr had Clare on the backfoot and they did finally take the lead when substitutes Carr and Dean Higgins put them 0-12 to 0-11 clear by the 48th minute.
An inspirational reply from Clare substitute Martin Moroney on the left wing leveled matters once more a minute later and if a Clare team ever needed a goal in Croke Park, it was Oisin Hickey’s in the 50th minute after an incisive Aaron Cunninham run opened up the defence.
A Shane Maloney 20 metre free intended for goal went the wrong side of the crossbar and after Aaron Cunningham’s 60th minute point, Clare held a three point advantage heading into injury-time.
There was to be another twist in the tail and after defending admirably for the hour, Clare will be disappointed with conceding such a scrappy 61st minute goal when Jack Carr bundled the ball out of a melee for Gerard O’Donoghue to pull past Quilligan.
Further drama was to follow when Tony Kelly was fouled out on the left touchline, only to see his resulting free from 65 metres rebound off the crossbar before the half came to an end.
Both sides would have taken a replay and in hindisght, Clare should have perhaps held their ground in that regard as there was only one team on the front foot in extra-time, led by Shane Maloney who hit four of his side’s eight points to earn Galway the coveted final spot.