Sport

Dream turns into reality for Clonlara

Clonlara 1-12 Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-9: IN THEIR first year back in senior ranks, Clonlara sensationally captured the Clare SHC…

GERRY QUINN at Cusack Park
Ennis
Mon Oct 27 2008 - 00:00

Clonlara 1-12 Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-9:IN THEIR first year back in senior ranks, Clonlara sensationally captured the Clare SHC title by defeating favourites Newmarket in yesterday's tough decider at Cusack Park, Ennis.

This was only the south-east Clare club's second appearance in the final, with their last being way back in 1919, when they defeated Scariff.

Clonlara's never-say-die attitude was a major factor in claiming this famous win. With the game in the balance late in the second half, the replacing of Newmarket's ace free-taker Paudie Collins was mystifying.

Trailing by 1-11 to 1-9, Newmarket were made to pay for the decision as Colin Ryan missed two subsequent free-taking chances late in the game.

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Odds-on favourites Newmarket got off to a dream start with a goal from Martin Murphy in the second minute and Clonlara trailed 1-2 to 0-1 by the end of the first quarter.

But they overturned the lead dramatically in a five-minute spell. Points from Darach Honan and free-taker Donal Madden before Tommy Lynch added a goal in the 23rd minute. John Conlan's point extended Clonlara lead. But points from Shane O'Brien and Collins saw Newmarket cut the deficit to 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval.

Further points from Collins (two) and O'Brien put Newmarketin front. But Clonlara fought back with scores by Conlan and Madden to level again and when a superb point by Madden from an acute angle gave 'Clon' the lead in the 43rd they never looked back.

CLONLARA: G OConnell S Nihill, J Moloney, P Collins (Capt.), N O'Connell (0-1), D ODonovan, P Nihill, D Conway, C ODonovan, J Conlan (0-2), P OHare, T ODonovan, D Honan (0-2), D Madden (0-7, five frees), T Lynch (1-0). Subs: B Moloney for O'Hare (44 mins).

NEWMARKET: K Devitt; B Clancy, S Kelly, A Kilmartin; E Barrett, James McInerney, A Barrett; M O'Hanlon, P Collins (0-7, five frees); M Murphy (1-0), S O'Brien (0-2), Jim McInerney; E Kelly, D Barrett, C Ryan.

Subs: E Hayes for E Kelly (half-time), P Kilmartin for A Barrett (37 mins), S Arthur for O'Hanlon (44), B Gaffney for Collins (57).

Referee: G Hoey (Killanena).