Clara through to Paddy Cotter Cup Final after impressive semi-final win

Clara Town have eased into the Final of the Paddy Cotter Cup with a resounding 3-0 win over St Aengus. The two sides met in Conor Davis Park, Mountmellick on Saturday evening for what was, in the end, a one-sided semi-final.

Paddy Cotter Cup Semi Final

Clara Town 3

St Aengus 0

Mountrath side St Aengus were the last Laois team left standing in the Paddy Cotter Cup – a tournament exclusively for the teams across the CCFL’s top three divisions (Senior Division, Division 1 and Division 2).

A 5-2 victory away to Division 1 side, Inny in the quarter-final, set up the final four clash, but Clara were a different proposition entirely. The Offaly club sit third in the Senior Division and are still very much in the hunt for the title. A massive 23 places separate the sides as St Aengus are currently propping up Division 2.

Martin Fleming got Clara off to a dream start, giving his side the lead in just the fifth minute. Neil Ribbins whipped in a corner kick which St Aengus failed to deal with. Clara were queueing up but it fell on a platter for Fleming who made no mistake.

The Offaly men were completely on top for the next half an hour, pinning St Aengus into their own half. Fleming, Lee Tierney and Luke Dignam all came close to increasing the lead but the best chance fell to Robert Bracken but his effort went just over the bar.

St Aengus had their first chance of the game 35 minutes in, Eoin Fitzpatrick stinging the hands of James Kinahan. The goalkeeper was called into action again just two minutes later when Jamie Dooley bent a free kick around the Clara wall.

But just as the Mountrath men were coming into the game, Emmett Jones went flying into a tackle and referee, Martin Kelly produced a second yellow card for the striker.

The second half was more dominance from Clara with Luke Dignam to the fore. The striker saw his left-footed volley well saved by St Aengus goalkeeper, Tadgh Moore, but he would not have to wait long for his goal. Dignam found the back of the net in the 56th minute after Robert Bracken had beaten three defenders down the right flank.

St Aengus began to make strides midway through the half and were awarded a penalty with 17 minutes remaining. Clara full-back, Lee Tierney was shown a red card for blocking a goalward-bound strike with his arm, meaning the game would finish with ten aside.

Gearoid Gaughan struck his penalty low and hard into the corner, but Kinahan produced a wonderful save to maintain the two-goal advantage.

Clara got their third goal with the final kick of the game. Moore had made a string of sensational saves throughout the tie, but his one error in the game led to a goal. Moore spilled a routine ball into his box, allowing Ribbons to put the exclamation point on the victory.

Clara will play the winner of the other semi-final between Ballinahown and Walsh Island Shamrocks.

SCORERS - Clara Town: Martin Fleming, Luke Dignam, Neil Robbins.

ST AENGUS: Tadgh Moore, Colm Bergin, Damien Larkam, Evan Cuddy, Gearoid Gaughan, Jamie Dooley, Trevor Abbott, Evan Power, Emmet Jones, Eoin Fitzpatrick, Dean Carey. Subs: Scott Coyle for Abbott (68), Evan Carey for Bergin (80).

CLARA TOWN: James Kinahan, Lee Tierney, Sean Tierney, Tomas Dunne, Adam Kelly, Alex Hall, Neill Robins, Robert Mitchell, Martin Fleming, Luke Dignam, Robert Bracken. Subs: David Minnock for Mitchel (59), Joey Deehan for Fleming (65), Kyle Stewart for S. Tierney (78), Gavin Fleming for Kinahan (80).

REFEREE: Martin Kelly.