Clare’s dreams of qualifying for the All-Ireland minor final for the first time in twelve years ended on Friday evening.
Offaly 2-16
Clare 0-18
Venue: FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles
Leinster champions Offaly enjoyed the better of matters on the day, particularly in the second half while they got through for a goal in each half which proved decisive.
Clare will be disappointed with the manner in which they conceded those goals as ultimately they proved the difference on an evening when Clare never looked like getting through for a goal.
Captain Dan Ravenhall caused huge problems for Clare throughout and he finished the game with 0-6 while he had a hand in many of his sides scores.
Clare failed to re-produce the energy they had shown during their Munster campaign and this proved costly.
Both sides looked nervous in the early stages and there was a lot of fumbling.
Each team had recorded two wides before Jack O’Neill put Clare in front with the opening score of the game after seven minutes.
Clare quickly added three more and led 0-4 to 0-0 after eleven minutes. A further three minutes went by before Adam Screeney opened the Offaly account and within a matter of three minutes they had taken the lead, 1-3 to 0-4, the goal coming from Screeney after he was picked up by the Offaly captain, Dan Ravenhall.
A period of uncertainty followed for Clare who failed to find team mates with a number of deliveries. After twelve scoreless minutes Oisin Whelan pointed for Clare to close the gap to the minimum but the Leinster champions managed by Leo
O’Connor followed with a brace to go three clear as the half time whistle approached.
Clare midfielder Matthew O’Halloran had the final score of the alf to leave two between them at the break when the score was 1-6 to 0-7.
Clare were rather fortunate to be just two adrift at this stage as Offaly had recorded eight wides in that opening half.
Brian O’Connell’s charges thanks to Jack O’Neill were within a point immediately after the restart but crucially Offaly would work the ball up the field and hit the net via Conor Doyle.
Offaly added two more points before the Banner pointed via Oisin Whelan on the double, Diarmuid Stritch and Sam Scanlan.
With forty nine minutes on the clock, Clare were within a goal but Offaly showed great maturity to hold on for the win.
In what was a big win for the Faithful County, they outnumbered their Clare counterparts two to one in Thurles.
On the evening, Clare’s best were Matthew O’Halloran, Fionnan Treacy and Sean McMahon.
Scorers; Offaly: Adam Screeney 1-5; Dan Ravenhill (0-6) Conor Doyle (1-0); Donal Shirley, Leigh Ka vanagh, Cillian Martin, Shane Rigney, Daniel Hane (0-1) each
Scorers Clare Clare; Oisin Whelan (0-8)7 frees) Cian Neylon (0-3); James Organ, Jack O’Neill (0-2) each. Matthew O’Halloran, Sam Scanlan, Diarmuid Stritch (0-1) each
Offaly
1: Liam Hoare, Carrick and Riverstown
2: Caelum Larkin, Carrick and Riverstown
3: James Mahon, Kilcormac-Killoughey
4: Ruairi Kelly, Lusmagh
5: Donal Shirley, Tubber
6: Brecon Kavanagh Kilcormac-Killoughey,
7: Ter Guinan, Kilcormac-Killoughey
8: Leigh Kavanagh, Kilcormac-Killoughey
9: Cillian Martin, Tullamore
10: Shane Rigney, St. Rynaghs
11: Dan Ravenhill, Durrow; Captain
12: Conor Doyle, Clara
13: Cathal Robinson, Kinnitty
14: Niall Furlong, Tullamore
15: Adam Screeney, Kilcormac-Killoughey
Subs:
20: Daniel Hand, Kilcormac-Killoughey for Robinson (half time);
Shane Connolly Coolderry for Martin
Clare:
1: Mark Sheedy, Sixmilebridge
2: Eoghan Gunning, Broadford
3: Fionan Treacy, Eire Og
4: John Cahill, Clooney-Quin Captain
5: Sean McMahon, Smith O’Briens
6: James Hegarty, Inagh Kilnamona
7: Jamie Moylan, Cratloe;
8: Matthew O’Halloran, Sixmilebridge
9: Diarmuid Stritch, Clonlara
10: Michael Collins, Conlara
11: Jack O’Neill, Clooney-Quin
12: James Organ, Corofin
13: Sam Scnlan, Clooney-Quin
14: Oisin Whelan, Clarecastle
15: Cian Neylon, KilmaleySubs:
Subs:
20: Piaras O’Se (Ruan) for Collins (40)
19: Dylan Keane-Hayes (Kilmaley) for Neylon (57)
18: Rian McNamara (Cratloe ) for Moylan (63)
23: Fred Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Moylan(63)
Referee: Kevin Jordan, Tipperary
