*PICTURED: Cillian Rouine. Photo by Gerard O’Neill
A STRONG first quarter from Antrim proved decisive in their win over Clare in this Allianz division 3 football league tie at Corrigan Park in Belfast this Sunday afternoon.
Antrim 1-9 Clare 1-6
Clare found themselves seven points in arrears with just six minutes played and from here on they were fighting an uphill battle.
The home side landed two early points and then followed with a two pointer before they struck for their goal.
Clare opened their account in the tenth minute when Ciaran Downes got through for a goal and this was quickly followed by a pointed free from Emmett McMahon.
Clare failed to score for the remainder of the half and when the half time whistle sounded the Northern outfit held a six point lead with the score at 1-7 to 1-1.
There was a crucial score for the winners early in the second half when Clare were penalised under the new rules for not keeping three players forward and the resultant free was converted by Antrim.
Clare battled hard throughout he second half but, on the day, their forward line struggled to make life difficult for the Antrim men who were deservingly ahead when the final whistle sounded.
On his senior debut, Fionn Kelleher excelled for Clare at centre back and he was the team’s standout player on the day, Cillian Rouine and Cillian Brennan battled hard throughout in the full back line.
Clare will be hoping for a big improvement when they take on Leitrim at Cusack Park on Sunday next in round 2. Leitrim’s first round game against Laois was postponed due to an unplayable pitch.
Clare;
1; Eamonn Tubridy (Doonbeg);
2; Manus Doherty (Eire Og),
3; Cillian Brennan (Clondegad),
4; Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon);
5; Ikem Ugwueru (Eire Og),
6; Fionn Kelleher (St Josephs),
7; Alan Sweeney (St Breckans);
8; Brian McNamara (Cooraclare) 0-1
9; Sean McAllister (Clondegad);
10; Eoin Cleary (Miltown St. Josephs),
11; Emmett McMahon (Kildysart), 0-2
12; Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry-Ibrickane);
13; Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil), 1-1
14; Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey), 0-1
15; Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry-Ibrickane).
Subs; Gavin Murray (Eire Og) for McAllistser; Cormac Murray (Miltown St Josephs) 0-1 for Griffin; Shane Griffin (Lissycasey) for Cleary; Darragh Burns (Doonbeg) for Downes
