O’connor boys seal comeback
GOALS from the O’connor brothers, Cillian and Diarmuid, early in the second half proved decisive as Mayo accounted for Clare in Ennis yesterday.
The Connacht side had struggled for much of the opening half and it was clear at the break that they needed to improve if they were to progress in the race for the Sam Maguire
Clare had the better of the first half exchanges and were full value for their half time lead of two points, 0-8 to 0-6.
Andy Moran gave Mayo the lead after just 25 seconds but they were forced into an early change a minute later when Donal Vaughan was black carded after he pulled down Clare captain Gary Brennan as he headed for goal.
Eoin Cleary pointed the resultant free to level the tie and by the end of the first quarter clare were 0-6 to 0-1 in front and unlucky not to be further ahead.
Killian Mcloughlin scored first on the resumption before a mistake by Clare defender Martin Mcmahon saw possession given away and Cillian O’connor punished the home side when finding the net.
Two minutes later his brother Diarmuid finished off a sweeping move and from here on Clare were fighting an uphill battle
The home side lost midfielder Cathal O’connor to injury and, at the same time, had Ciaran Russell black carded and they could ill afford to lose both experienced players.
On the other hand Mayo were able to bring in experienced players such as Jason Doherty, Tom Parsons and Alan Dillon as they went on to record a merited victory.