*Gavin Murray. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
IT WASN’T the most memorable of spectacles but Clare’s footballers got the job done when getting over Wicklow in the fourth round of the Allianz National Football League.
This result is likely to consolidate Clare’s status in Division 3 of the NFL but keeps their chances of promotion alive.
Stephen Ryan: Inspired confidence throughout. While he wasn’t called on to make any saves, his ball handling was good. He distributed the ball well from his kickouts varying short and long while he made himself available for passes when defenders found themselves under a bit of pressure.
Rating: 8
Micheál Garry: In his first season at this level, he continues to grow in confidence. He made a couple of timely interceptions.
Rating: 7
Manus Doherty: The Éire Óg clubman did his number one task of defending very well while he also found time to go forward and set up a number of attacks.
Rating: 7
Ronan Lanigan: In his first season as a first-choice member of the defence, he had, arguably his best game to date in this campaign. Joined the attack on a number of occasions and contributed a point to the team’s final tally.
Rating: 8
Éinne O’Connor; After a couple of impressive appearances in recent weeks, the Éire Óg clubman deservingly won a place in the starting line-up and he put down a marker from the word go with a defence splitting run in the opening minutes. Injury forced him to retire just before half time.
Rating: 7
Alan Sweeney: The St. Breckan’s clubman delivered another workmanlike performance and he delivered a great pass to Cormac Murray for the team’s opening goal.
Rating: 7
Daniel Walsh: Fresh from his campaign with UL in the Sigerson Cup, Walsh continues to be a key member of the squad. He got the better of a number of Wicklow opponents.
Rating: 8
Gavin Murray: The Westmeath native is clearly growing in confidence since he made his debut in the opening round of this campaign against Sligo.
Rating: 7
Brian McNamara: The Cooraclare man who recovered from a career threatening injury at the end of last season having shot to prominence when delivering an outstanding display against Kerry in last season’s under 20 championship, helped Clare win the midfield battle.
Rating: 7
Ciaran Downes: Like a number of his attacking team mates he struggled in the opening half but finished the game strongly landing three points in the final six minutes.
Rating: 6
Emmet McMahon: Not so prominent as in earlier rounds, the centre forward converted four frees, all in the opening half when Clare found it hard to hit the target.
Rating: 6
Ikem Ugwueru: The Éire Óg clubman’s workrate was again very impressive and his ability to carry the ball led to the creation of a lot of scoring chances.
Rating: 7
Cormac Murray; In the first half he showed the type of form which saw him lead his club Miltown to many impressive victories last season.
Rating: 7
Aaron Griffin; Another who struggled to breakdown a somewhat shaky Wicklow defence in the opening half but he stepped up considerably after the break and laded 0-3 from play.
Rating: 6
Shane Griffin: Worked hard from the off but his workrate wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard.
Rating: 6
Subs:
Darren Nagle: Introduced just before half time for the injured Einne O’Connor, he got through some good work.
Rating: 6
Joe McGann; Introduced near the end of the third quarter, the talented St. Breckans clubman is expected to challenge strongly for a first team place as the year progresses.
Rating: 6
Diarmuid O’Donnell: One of the heroes of the win over Offaly in the previous round, the Kildysart man converted a free late in the game but overall didn’t see much of the acton in this outing.
Rating: 6
John Guyler, Darren O’Brien and James Curran were all introduced late in the game but weren’t on long enough for a rating.
