Allianz Football League Division 4 – Clare 1-14 Leitrim 2-8

Tubridy leads charge as Clare’s second-half surge decisive

By P J Leddy for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Leitrim 2-8 Clare 1-14

Clare came from behind to defeat Leitrim comfortably in Carrick-on-Shannon after turning in a superb second-half performance, led by David Tubridy, Mark McCarthy, Gary Brennan and Cathal O’Connor. Leitrim dominated the opening 24 minutes, after which they led 1-5 to 0 -1. Emlyn Mulligan orchestrated matters for the hosts, hitting 0-3 and creating a goal for Conor Beirne. David Tubridy answered with a point from a fifth minute free but then the game was delayed for eight minutes following an injury to Leitrim’s Adrian Croal. When the action resumed Clare rallied and closed the gap to the minimum by the break (1-5 to 1-4) with points from Tubridy and Shane McGrath, along with a fine Mark McCarthy goal.

Sub Rory Donnelly had Clare level within a minute of the restart but Paddy McGowan edged Leitrim ahead with a point soon after. But then it was all Clare, with Tubridy and Podge McMahan leading by example as Mick O’Dwyer’s men landed seven points without reply. Emlyn Mulligan had a late goal for the hosts. The only black mark against Clare was the dismissal of Martin McMahon for a foul on Mulligan.

Scorers for Clare: D. Tubridy 0-5(4fs.); M. McCarthy 1-1, S. McGrath, G. Brennan, 0-2 (each), R. Donnelly, P. McMahon, G. Kelly, C. O’Connor, 0-1 (each).

Scorers for Leitrim: E. Mulligan 1-4(3fs.), C. Beirne 1-0, W. McKeon 0-2, P. McGowan, D. Beck, 0-1 (each).

CLARE: J. Hayes; L. Healy, S. McNeilis, E. Coughlan; D. Callinan, G. Kelly, M. McMahon; G. Brennan, C. O’Connor; S. McGrath, A. Clohessy, C. Dunning; M. McCarthy, P. McMahon, D. Tubridy.

Subs: R. Donnelly for Dunning (22), N. Kelly for McMahon (66), C. Duggan for McCarthy (71).

LEITRIM: C. McCrann; D. Beck, C. Egan, P. Maguire; C. Clarke, P. Brennan, A. Wynne; W. McKeon, P. McGowan; A. Croal, E. Mulligan, G. Hickey; C. Beirne, J. Glancy, K. Conlan.

Subs: B. Flynn for McCrann (22), B. McDonald for Croal (26), C. Reynolds for Hickey (HT), S. McWeeney for Egan (42), R. Cox for Conlan

Referee: P. Neilan (Roscommon)

Clare 1-14 Leitrim 2-8

Report from the GAA.ie web site

Clare produced an impressive comeback against Leitrim on Sunday to take the points in their Division IV clash at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada. Leitrim were in total control after 25 minutes, leading 1-5 to 0-1, with Conor Beirne fisting their goal. However, following a lengthy stoppage for an injury to Leitrim’s Adrian Croal, Clare came back strongly and went in just one point behind at the interval at 1-5 to 1-4 thanks to a goal from David Tubridy.

Mick O’Dwyer’s side then took charge after the restart, and points from Podge McMahon, Gary Brennan and Shane McGrath put them three clear. Leitrim got back within two, but then Clare hit five points without reply to lead 1-14 to 1-7 going into injury-time. Leitrim captain Emlyn Mulligan scored 1-1 from two frees for Leitrim in the injury time minutes, but it still left Leitrim short, and the result means it’s two defeats out of two for them in Division IV.