Allianz Football League Division 2 – Clare 2-11 Cork 0-9

Clare defeated Cork by 2-11 to 0-9 in Round 4 of the Allianz Football League Division 2 on Sunday March 5th at Cusack Park Ennis.

Former Cork star Paddy Kelly reflects on worrying times for Cork, saying an underappreciated generation left after 2010 #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/p8WR8Apsk0

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REPORT: #AllianzLeagues Division Two Football success for @ClareGaa against @OfficialCorkGAAhttps://t.co/oc16Gv3msj

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Allianz FL D2: Clare triumph in Ennis

Allianz Football League Division 2

CLARE 2-11 CORK 0-9

Report By Peter O’Connell for GAA.ie

Played in front of an attendance of 985 at Cusack Park the Clare footballers scored a first League win over Cork in 23 years.

In a match played in driving rain, wind and occasional sunshine, Clare played exceptionally well in the second half to record their second win of the season. One of the key moments was when Donal Og Hodnett’s goal was disallowed, 21 minutes into the second half. That came just after Joe Hayes made a superb save from Colm O’Neill. Hodnett put away the rebound but having consulted with his umpires, referee Niall Ward deemed that the Cork player was in the square.

Although Cork dominated possession in the opening 20 minutes the teams were tied at half-time. Points from Aidan Walsh, a Luke Connolly 45 and centre back James Loughrey, left Cork leading 0-3 to 0-0 after 21 minutes. While Cork had the vast majority of the possession they found it very difficult to penetrate a Clare defence, which regularly had 13 players behind the ball.

Yet while Clare were defending in a disciplined manner, they showed very little threat in attack until wing forward Cian O’Dea goaled from close range 10 minutes before half time. Midfielder Ciaran Russell made an incisive run up the left wing before laying off to Keelan Sexton, who squared for O’Dea. Suddenly, despite Cork’s dominance of possession, the game was now tied.

Clare should have goaled again a minute later when Shane Brennan found Jamie Malone alone in front of goal. Malone pulled on hit but his shot was taken off the line by Cork full back Tom Clancy.

Earlier, Clare midfielder Cathal O’Connor’s delivery, from inside his own half, had to be deflected for a 45 by Cork goalkeeper Ryan Price. While Cork virtually owned the ball, Clare managed to created three first half goal opportunities. Points from wing back Tomás Clancy and a Niall Coakley free, left the teams level at the interval, following a brace of Eoin Cleary points for the home county.

Clare started the second half with points from Shane Brennan, David Tubridy and a superb Cathal O’Connor effort, leaving them 1-5 to 0-5 ahead.

While Niall Coakley and Colm O’Neill replied for Cork, Jamie Malone, Tubridy and Ciaran Russell did likewise for the winners. However Jamie Malone’s goal, four minutes from time, sealed an exceptional result for Colm Collins’ team. Cork meanwhile were left reflecting on a very poor second half display which included a Colm O’Neill penalty hitting the post in second half injury time.

Scorers for Clare: Jamie Malone 1-1, David Tubridy 0-4 (2fs), Cian O’Dea 1-0, Eoin Cleary 0-3 (1f, 145), Shane Brennan, Cathal O’Connor, Ciaran Russell 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Niall Coakley 0-2 (2fs), Colm O’Neill, Tomas Clancy, James Loughrey, Aidan Walsh, Michael Shields, Paul Kerrigan, and Luke Connolly (45) 0-1 each.

CLARE: Joe Hayes; Dean Ryan, Kevin Harnett, Martin McMahon (captain); Liam Markham, Gordon Kelly, John Hayes; Cathal O’Connor, Ciaran Russell; Cian O’Dea, Keelan Sexton, Shane Brennan; Eoin Cleary, David Tubridy, Jamie Malone
Subs: David Egan for O’Dea (half-time),

CORK: Ryan Price; Michael Shields, Tom Clancy, Kevin Crowley; Tomas Clancy, James Loughrey, Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers); Aidan Walsh, Ruairi Deane; Brian O’ Driscoll, Luke Connolly, John O Rourke; Niall Coakley, Donncha O’ Connor, Paul Kerrigan (captain)
Subs: Colm O’Neill for O’Connor (35 inj), Mark Collins for O’Driscoll (43), Donal Óg Hodnett for Luke Connolly (48), Ian Maguire for John O’Rourke (50), Kevin Davis for Niall Coakley (60), Colm O’Driscoll for Kevin Crowley (64).

REFEREE: Niall Ward (Westmeath).

Team News

The Cork Senior Football team to play Clare next Sunday in the Allianz Football League in Cusack Park @ 2pm has been announced as follows.

1. Ken O’Halloran (Bishopstown)
2. Michael Shields (St Finbarrs)
3. Tom Clancy (Clonakilty)
4. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)
5. Tomas Clancy (Fermoy)
6. James Loughrey (Mallow)
7. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers)
8. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
9. Ruairi Deane (Bantry Blues)
10. Brian O Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
11. Luke Connolly (Nemo Rangers)
12. John O Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
13. Niall Coakley (St Judes)
14. Donncha O Connor (Ballydesmond)
15. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers) – Captain

Subs:

16. Ryan Price (O Donovan Rossa)
17. Colm O Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
18. Colm O Neill (Ballyclough)
19. Conor Dorman Bishopstown)
20. Donal Og Hodnett (O Donovan Rossa)
21. Ian Maguire (St Finbarrs)
22. John McLoughlin (Kanturk)
23. Kevin O Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
24. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
25. Matthew Taylor (Mallow)
26. Kevin Davis (O Donovan Rossa)