Banner unfurls into late summer as Rossies flag
NO matter what happens between now and the end of September, this footballing summer may well belong to this impressive group of Clare footballers. In front of 4,100 spectators at Pearse Stadium, Colm Collins’ superb side carved their own place in the history books by reaching the county’s first All-Ireland quarter-final. And they did it in some style.
The six-point margin doesn’t reflect their dominance. They missed a raft of chances in the second half, but the truth is that Roscommon were so poor, the Banner could afford to hit 13 wides and still win comfortably. First-half goals from David Tubridy and the excellent Jamie Malone gave them a platform, but each player produced a heroic shift.
Eoin Cleary nailed six points, including two vital second-half frees when the Rossies briefly rallied after Enda Smith’s 53rd-minute goal. Martin McMahon, Kevin Harnett and Cian O’Dea also stood out in a memorable Clare display.
Gary Brennan produced a masterful first-half performance from midfield that was reminiscent of the way Anthony Tohill used to bestride Clones in the 1990s. Brennan was at the centre of almost all the Banner created in the first half. He faded after the break, but he had suffered a virus during the week and that stifled his influence — but made his early contribution all the more impressive.
Podge Collins began his busy weekend on the bench but he appeared in the 46th minute after Tubridy picked up a knock. Both Collins and Shane McGrath, who kicked a fabulous point towards the end, settled their team down after the sucker-punch of Smith’s goal and the blow of losing Cathal O’Connor to a red card in the 37th minute.
O’Connor’s dismissal meant Clare had to play two different ways to win this game. Their fluid and clever attacking bamboozled Roscommon in the first half and they appeared to slice open their opponents at will. The wonder is they only scored two goals before the break.
However, on the restart, they had to dog it out and the likes of McMahon and Harnett came to the fore as the match turned into a more attritional affair. Clare only scored one point in the first 23 minutes of the second half, a Cleary free, and missed a host of chances.
Referee Pádraig Hughes had a busy afternoon. He cautioned 13 players in all, eight from the Connacht side who completely lost their discipline in the second half. Kevin Higgins came on as a substitute and only lasted nine minutes before getting black carded while Seán Mullooly was sent off for two yellows within six second-half minutes. Adding to Rossie woes, David Murray was sent off near the end. The losers’ springtime wins in Killarney, Letterkenny and Cork look a long time ago now. For long periods, they looked a shell of that team and completely devoid of confidence and purpose. Kevin McStay and Fergal O’Donnell made a raft of changes from the side brushed aside by Galway in last week’s Connacht final replay, one last throw of the dice to keep their summer alive. But it had no effect. Ciarán Murtagh, their leader, was hooked at half-time despite scoring three points. The Roscommon captain opened the scoring here with a free in the second minute and Enda Smith added a second soon after.
However, Brennan was starting to exert an influence. He got Clare off the mark in the fifth minute and when his long ball fed Malone, the half-forward did brilliantly to create an opportunity for Tubridy, who applied a composed finish
Tubridy’s goal put Clare ahead for the first time and although the Rossies managed to peg it back twice, through Murtagh and a splendid effort from Mullooly in the 19th minute, the Banner’s grip never loosened. Malone’s goal in the 24th minute was a joy to watch.
Seán Collins fed Keelan Sexton with a clever pass. The teenager, who just sat his Leaving Certificate last month, laid it off brilliantly to Cleary who released Malone to finish with aplomb. There will be few better team goals scored this summer — a sign of how well-coached this side are.
Malone’s goal helped Clare into a 2-6 to 0-7 half-time lead and they even had the advantage of the breeze at their backs in the second half. However, the second period required a more battling performance as frees and fouls stemmed fluidity.
But Clare showed they also have the stomach for a fight. Scores from McGrath and Seán Malone iced the cake. Collins’ men may not be involved come September but they have imprinted their personality all over this footballing summer.