A result that could have significant consequences come the next few rounds as Clara made it two wins from two and it was anything but easy as they were made to work tirelessly hard in order to get themselves a victory in their home game on Friday evening.
Molloy Precast & Environmental Systems Offaly Senior B Hurling Championship Round 2
Clara 1-16
Clodiagh Gaels 0-18
Conor Doyle’s 65th minute free from just about 25 yards out fired its way into the top corner of the net and broke the hearts of the Clodiagh Gaels’ players who had battled gallantly for over three quarters of the game following Liam Langton’s 16th minute red card for a strike off the ball in Martin Fleming. It could have been a moment that sank his side’s hopes, but it had the opposite effect and the Gaels hurled a superb game especially defensively, as they only conceded 0-5 from play out of 1-16, but ultimately it was their discipline that has cost them.
The impact that Cathal Brady made particularly in the second half was exceptional and he really stood up as did Aaron Rattigan when they needed to. Clara looked in massive trouble for large periods of the second half as a lot of passes into the forward line were just going straight into the hands of the Clodiagh Gaels’ sweeper and frustration was boiling over at times on the Clara side and understandably so, with them having the extra man on the field but you’d have never guessed it with the way their opponents were operating.
Josh Flemings’ frees were keeping them within touching distance which was crucial because when Brady and Rattigan hit three scores on the bounce between the 37th and 46th minute, the time in which Clara failed to score, it looked for all the world that there was only going to be one winner.
It was level enough at half time despite Clodiagh Gaels holding a one point advantage, both sides were evenly matched and it was a testament for both of them coming firing out of the blocks with scores early on with Conor Doyle landing one excellent long range free similar to Kevin Kinahan’s in the second half, and both sides were fairly accurate in their shooting during the first period.
The red card for Liam Langton was the big turning point as it forced Clodiagh Gaels to switch how they were playing and for 99% of the game it worked and Clara couldn’t seem to get that same space afforded to them previously despite the best efforts of Marcas Dalton and Conor Egan in trying to get them powering runs going.
With time running out and stoppage time looking like it could be long due to stoppages due to fouls and injuries, Clara still had time to conjure up a memorable moment to save the game but as time moved on it was looking less and less likely, until a free was won about 25 yards from goals and up stepped Doyle to fire his bullet of a strike into the net and causing scenes of both joy and ecstasy from the winners.
It was a crazy game and one that could define the season for both sides and it makes both of their next games that extra bit crucial as Clara meet the other side who have a 100% record in Lusmagh and Clodiagh Gaels have a rematch of the 2024 final with Kilcormac Killoughey.
MATCH ANALYSIS
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MAN OF THE MATCH
Cathal Brady (Clodiagh Gaels): He may have been on the losing side, but the Clodiagh Gaels man was fantastic for his team and stepped up when needed to. He took over free duty from Liam Langton halfway through the first half and was excellent in his placed balls, he was a danger man and contributed 0-4 from play as well. Aaron Rattigan was also excellent, finishing with 0-3 from play.
For the winners, Conor Doyle was a bit quieter in the second half than he was in the first half and that’s the only reason for not awarding him man of the match but I don’t think he’ll mind as he came up with the moment that truly mattered which was the winning score to help Clara claim a massive victory at home to a championship contender. Josh Fleming and Wille Fleming also had very good games at either end of the field.
THE SCORERS
Clara: Josh Fleming (9frees) 0-9, Conor Doyle (1-2f) 1-3, Scott Griffith, Adam Scanlon, Marcas Dalton and Ross Brady 0-1 each.
Clodiagh Gaels: Cathal Brady (6frees) 0-10, Aaron Rattigan and Liam Langton (3frees) 0-3 each, Eoin Dunne and Kevin Kinahan (1free) 0-1 each.
THE TEAMS
CLARA: Willie Fleming; Myles Handy, Alan Gavin, Ciaran Doyle; Lorcan Hiney, Conor Egan (C), Martin Fleming; Marcas Dalton, Barry Egan, Scott Griffith, Ross Brady, Adam Scanlon; Conor Doyle, Josh Fleming, Colm Doyle. Subs– Neil Robbins for Colm Doyle (24m, inj).
CLODIAGH GAELS: Kevin Kinahan; Sean Brady, Aaron Flanagan, Caolan Flanagan; Sean Rattigan, Clint Horan (C), Jack Kelly; Tom Dunne, Eoin Dunne; Pat Lyons, Liam Langton, Ruairi Dunne; Mark Dillon, Cathal Brady, Aaron Rattigan. Subs– Ben O’Brien for Dunne (42m), Emmet Curley for Flanagan (59m).
Referee – Matthew Farrell, Tullamore.
REFEREE WATCH
Matthew Farrell took charge of this game and in fairness it was not an easy game to manage as both sides were throwing in big hits and were not giving an inch. The red card was the correct decision and overall the decisions he made were generally the right ones and it would have been difficult for anyone to manage this game as tempers flared from both sides throughout.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
No doubt, Conor Doyle’s last minute goal, with basically no time left and needing a goal to salvage any kind of result, the Offaly star hit a rocket and it flew into the roof of the net and sent the Clara players and management into hysteria.
VENUE WATCH
Clara hosted the game well, the pitch was in good condition, plenty of parking around, and a good crowd at the game, with plenty of stewards around to help and offer refreshments.
WHAT’S NEXT
Clodiagh Gaels face Kilcormac Kiloughey in round 3 in Glenisk O’Connor Park, while Clara take on Lusmagh in Banagher.
STATISTICS
Wides: Clara – 9 (5 in first half); Clodiagh Gaels – 5 (1 in first half).
Yellow cards: Clara – 4 (Ross Brady, Lorcan Hiney, Barry Egan, Conor Doyle(; Clodiagh Gaels – 4 (Mark Dillon, Sean Brady, Pat Lyons, Aaron Flanagan).
Red cards: Clara – 0; Clodiagh Gaels – 1 (Liam Langton).
