Clara hit back in final quarter to capture Division 4 title

Brosna Press Division 4 Football League Final

CLARA 0-14

RHODE 0-12

CLARA collected their second league title inside a week when their Division 4 side emulated the Division 2 side by winning their final against Rhode in Daingean on Sunday.

In contrast for Rhode it was a second final defeat in a week and it was particularly tough for many of this side as they were also part of the Division 5 side which lost to Clodiagh Gaels on Thursday evening.

Clara were the more composed team over the hour and they managed possession very well, controlling the ball and waiting for the right opportunity to go for a score. They looked well in command when they went five points up midway through the second half but Rhode staged a great recovery to level only for Clara to hit back again the closing stages with four points on the trot which were enough to seal the win.

It was tough luck on Rhode but for long periods they were literally chasing the game as Clara dominated the ball. They particularly struggled in the third quarter when they failed to score but all of a sudden burst into life in the final quarter to fight back to level but they were unable to push on after that as Clara came back again to regain the advantage.

Clara were very well structured and they kept to the game plan throughout. They maintained possession for long periods, passing the ball over and back and patiently waiting for the right opportunity to go for their score. They were obviously well drilled and they frustrated Rhode with the way they were able to keep possession.

Rhode actually started the better of the two teams and scored the first three points of the match. It took Clara a while to settle but gradually they came more into in and levelled after 18 minutes and the sides went in at the break level 0-5 each.

Clara were on top in the third quarter and they went 0-10 to 0-5 in front after 14 minutes and looked well on their way. But suddenly Rhode burst into life and hit five points in seven minutes to level up and the momentum seemed to be with them but Clara responded well and wrestled control back with four points in a row and although Rhode did manage to halve that, they were unable to get the goal that would have rescued the game for them.

Clara played well and David Ledwith, Michael Moran and Patrick Phelan impressed in defence. Ross Brady controlled the ball well around the middle of the field and in attack Pa Smith, Josh Fleming and Luke Dignam all played well.

Joe Spollen, Lorcan Reilly and Evan Farrelly worked hard in the Rhode defence, Gavin Young put in a good stint at midfield while in attack Shane Lowry, Barry Coffey and Cian Murphy tried hard.

Rhode hit the front after just 32 seconds when Barry Coffey ended a good move with a point. Jack Murphy added a point from a free and they made it three points in three minutes when Shane Lowry ran in and fisted over.

Clara were slow in settling and had two wides on the board before they got off the mark after eight minutes when Pa Smith pointed a free. Straight from the kick out the ball was won back and came back to Pa Smith who kicked another point. Jack Murphy pointed another free but Clara were becoming more influential in the game and Josh Fleming kept a ball in play and added a point and then sub Myles Handy kicked a good point after a long passing move to bring the sides level. Clara went ahead for the first time after 21 minutes when Pa Smith pointed a free but Jack Murphy levelled again from a free a minute before half time and the sides went in level 0-5 each.

Clara were quick off the mark at the start of the second half and Ben Kennedy kicked them in front. Pa Smith added another point from a free and when an effort from David Ledwith came back off the post, the ball was recyled and Josh Fleming pointed. Pa Smith and Ben Kennedy added further points and Clara were 0-10 to 0-5 in front 14 minutes into the half.

Rhode were struggling to make an impact but as the game went into the final quarter they suddenly burst into life again. Shane Lowry began the comeback with a point from play and he quickly added another from a mark. Eoin Smyth then collected a quick free and fisted another point and suddenly the game was on again. Jack Kilmurray cut the lead to one and Shane Lowry then levelled in the 22nd minute and Rhode had their tails up.

However Clara responded impressively. A quick move involving Josh Fleming, Pa Smith and Luke Dignam ended with the latter putting Clara back in front and almost immediately the same player kicked another point. Ross Brady and Pa Smith added points from frees as Rhode went down to 13 men from the concession of each of those frees as Gavin Young picked up a second yellow and Harry Jones a black card.

Despite that Rhode kept pushing and Jack Murphy's free left a goal in it going into injury time. Joe Spollen kicked a further Rhode point but they were unable to engineer a winning goal and Clara held on for victory.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

CLARA: Tommie Bracken; Michael Moran, David Ledwith, Ciaran Ennis; Ryan Carroll, Tomas Devine, Patrick Phelan; Paul Deehan, Ross Brady; Ben Kennedy, Eoin Gavin, Aaron Ngo; Luke Dignam, Josh Fleming, Pa Smith. Subs. Myles Handy (for Paul Deehan, 13 mins), Neil Robbins (for Ryan Carroll, 32 mins), Stephen Deehan (for Aaron Ngo, 35 mins), Callum Dunne (for Ben Kennedy, 45 mins), Greg Byrne (for Tomas Devine, 54 mins).

RHODE: Phil O'Connell; Joe Spollen, Mossy Muldoon, Paul Stynes; Dylan Kilmurray, Lorcan Reilly, Evan Farrelly; Aidan Brereton, Gavin Young; Eoin Smyth, Cian Murphy, Jack Kilmurray; Shane Lowry, Barry Coffey, Jack Murphy. Subs. Gary Kiernan (for Aidan Brereton, 41 mins), Harry Jones (for Dylan Kilmurray, 56 mins).

REFEREE: Noel Cooney

MAN OF THE MATCH

Most of the contenders were on the Clara team. Shane Lowry was Rhode's most dangerous player but Clara dominated for long periods and one player who was involved in directing operations for them was Luke Dignam. He and Ross Brady were the focal points around the middle to get moves going but Dignam gets the vote as he kicked two important poitns after Rhode had come back to level.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Those two points from Luke Dignam were crucial scores. Rhode had just hit five points in seven minutes to draw level and seemed to have the momentum but Dignam kicked Clara back in front and almost straight away added a second and the pendulum had swung again in Clara's favour.

REFEREE WATCH

The experienced Noel Cooney did a good job throughout the game. He was firm and decisive and consistent in his rulings throughout and neither side could have much quibble with his officiating.

WHAT’S NEXT

The league is finished now for both sides and they can look forward to the championships starting in a couple of weeks.

VENUE WATCH

Daingean hosted the game well. The pitch was in good order, there was plenty of parking space available and they had stewards on duty to look after everything.

STATISTICS

Wides; Clara 6 (4 in first half) Rhode 7 (3 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Clara 1 (Josh Fleming) Rhode 4 (Gavin Young x 2, Dylan Kilmurray, Jack Murphy)

Black Cards: Clara 0 Rhode 1 (Harry Jones)

Red Cards: Clara 0 Rhode 1 (Gavin Young)

THE SCORERS

Clara; Pa Smith (0-6, 0-4 frees), Josh Fleming, Ben Kennedy, Luke Dignam (0-2 each), Myles Handy, Ross Brady (free) (0-1 each).

Rhode; Shane Lowry (0-4, 0-1 mark), Jack Murphy (0-4, frees), Barry Coffey, Eoin Smyth, Jack Kilmurray, Joe Spollen (0-1 each).