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CLARE could be on the brink of another summer of fun after an impressive 10-point demolition of Laois in Portlaoise.
Eoin Cleary’s nine-point haul secured a 2-18 to 0-14 win in Round 2A – the second year in a row that Clare have beaten Laois. SPORT TITLE
The Bannermen had just a point to spare last year but won by a large margin this time and at O’moore Park to boot.
John O’loughlin’s dismissal for Laois following a second yellow card early in the second half prompted the hosts’ demise.
Clare led by just three points at the break, 0-11 to 0-8, put pulled clear with second half goals from Jamie Malone and Keelan Sexton.
The duo contributed 2-3 between them and gave fans hope that they can replicate last year’s historic run to the All-ireland quarter-finals.
Star midfielder Gary Brennan fired a brace of points too as Laois’ woeful season ended on the lowest possible note.
Peter Creedon’s side were relegated to Division 4 of the Allianz League and were fortunate to hold out against Wicklow in the opening round of qualifiers.
Donie Kingston top scored for Laois with eight points though all but one of those came from frees.
Meanwhile, Meath and Donegal will join Clare in tomorrow’s draw for Round 3A.
Donegal, the 2014 All-ireland finalists, lived on their wits against Longford before surging clear for a 0-12 to 0-7 win in Ballybofey.
Longford surprisingly led by 0-4 to 0-3 at half-time and moved two ahead early in the second half to hint at adding Donegal to their impressive list of northern scalps in the qualifiers.
They had previously taken out Derry on a couple of occasions and Monaghan last year but couldn’t hold out this time.
Robbie Smyth and Diarmuid Masterson added points for Longford but a succession of Donegal scores from Michael Murphy, Martin Mcelhinney, Paddy Mcbrearty and Eoin Mchugh eased Rory Gallagher’s men clear.
And four late points in a row secured a 0-14 to 1-9 win for Meath over Sligo in Navan.
Meath were behind with 67 minutes on the clock but the returning Michael Newman, who hadn’t played all year due to an ankle problem, kicked two points and two more from Sean Tobin (inset) eased them through.