*Ross O’Doherty fires home Ennistymon’s second goal. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Two goals from substitute Ross O’Doherty saw Ennistymon collect their first win of the 2021 Clare SFC as they ensured Cooraclare are left without a win following two clashes.
Ennistymon 2-11
Cooraclare 0-10
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
O’Doherty goaled twice in a seven minute spell to put Ennistymon within a shout of qualifying for the knockout stages, wins in their remaining games against Cratloe and St Josephs Miltown are also required to make this a reality.
Cooraclare with Miltown and Kilmurry Ibrickane left to face in the group are prepared for a relegation battle having targeted their second outing as the one to bring their bid back to life.
Level three times in the first half, Ennistymon always remained in front for the second half although matters seemed much tighter. O’Doherty’s goals left the North Clare side in the driving seat and the margin of seven points is not a true reflection of proceedings.
Lively corner forward Tiernan Hogan was first to register a score and he put Ennistymon ahead with under two minutes on the clock. Ciaran O’Donoghue responded with a double before Sean McConigley and two Michael McDonagh points put the lead back in favour of the 2018 county finalists. Cooraclare would see off the first quarter with Gearoid Looney and O’Donoghue scores to put themselves on level terms.
A dominant second quarter in which Ennistymon hit three scores without reply saw them build up a 0-07 0-05 half-time lead.
It was Cooraclare that enjoyed better fortunes on the restart and reduced the lead to the minimum, only for Brendan Rouine and Cathal O’Reilly to tap over needed white flags for the Magpies. Further scores from Padraic O’Donoghue and Brian McNamara brought the gap back to a single point for the final quarter.
While O’Doherty may get the plaudits for putting the first goal in the net, the run of Adam Ralph in breaking the line and starting the move that led to the umpires reaching for the green flag was critical. Cillian Rouine also played a prominent role in the move teeing up the former Clare minor who fired a bullet off the crossbar, he managed to regain possession seconds later and slotted the ball under Mark Lillis.
For his next trick, O’Doherty managed to round Lillis before tapping the ball home and effectively sealing the win for Noel Crowe’s charges, the many changes made to the starting team by their management was also a factor to Sunday’s outcome.
On the day, Tiernan Hogan, Adam Ralph, Sean Rouine, Darragh Conneely and Eoin Rouine were best for Ennistymon who have the panel to test their remaining opponents but have yet to produce the display that will leave them shaking in their boots.
Without Sean O’Donoghue, Cooraclare’s cause is greatly weakened given the presence he brings to the middle third, his aerial ability and attacking play. In his absence, few players sufficiently stood up to the plate and subsequently the Milesians find themselves at the bottom of the table without a win. Ciaran O’Donoghue was their top performer over the hour while their concession of thirty five frees in two games must be addressed.
Scorers Ennistymon: R O’Doherty (2-00), M McDonagh (0-03 2f), T Hogan (0-02), C O’Reilly (0-02), B Rouine (0-02 2f), C Malone (0-01).
Scorers Cooraclare: C O’Donoghue (0-06 4f), P O’Donoghue (0-02), G Looney (0-01), B McNamara (0-01).
Ennistymon:
1: Noel Sexton
7: Ciaran McMahon
4: Adam Ralph
3: Darragh Conneally
5: Sean Rouine
6: Sean O’Driscoll
2: Cathal O’Reilly
9: Cillian Rouine
8: Mattie Kinch
11: Michael McDonagh
17: Cathal Malone
10: Brendan Rouine
15: Tiernan Hogan
12: Eoin Rouine
14: Sean McConigley
Subs:
19: John Murphy for McConigley (40)
18: David Fitzgerald for McDonagh (45)
29: Ross O’Doherty for E Rouine (52)
26: Joe Dowling for Kinch (62)
Cooraclare:
1: Mark Lillis
3: Niall Kelly
2: Robert Ryan
7: Ronan Donnellan
4: Thomas Donnellan
6: Micheal Garry
5: Killian Burke
9: Pearse Lillis
12: Tadhg Lillis
15: Padraic O’Donoghue
11: Thomas Downes
10: Brian McNamara
14: Ciaran O’Donoghue
24: Gearoid Looney
13: John Lillis
Subs:
17: Fergal Donnellan for Burke (32)
18: Colin McNamara for T Lillis (39)
22: Mark Tubridy for J Lillis (55)
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
