Dublin 2-11

Clare 0-10

Rónán Mac Lochlainn reports from O’Moore Park, Portlaoise

DUBLIN PRODUCED A far from impressive performance when eventually overcoming Clare by seven points in their Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Football Championship quarter-final  in O’Moore Park on Monday afternoon.

The Dubs now advance to a semi-final meeting with Derry on Sunday fortnight and they’ll have plenty to work on after their struggles in retaining possession in a sub-standard first-half performance.

Full credit must go to Clare for the manner in which they competed intelligently and with great discipline throughout, especially after they fell four points behind inside the opening five minutes.

Kerl Lynch Bissett opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute and Dublin looked to have landed a serious blow as Ross McGarry netted from close range after a strong run from Dublin captain Donal Ryan.

However, two frees from Gavin Cooney reflected Clare’s confidence as the contest evolved and they took the lead by the 21^st minute following two points from captain Dermot Coughlan and another score by Gearoid Cahill.

Dublin eventually ended a barren period of eighteen minutes with a McGarry free and the same played converted another close-range effort late on to inch Dublin 1-3 to 0-5 clear by the break.

After Ross Phelan had spurned a glorious goal chance within two minutes of the restart, Clare were doubly punished at the opposite end in the 35^th minute as McGarry appeared to get the deftest of touches to deflect the ball beyond Stephen Ryan.

From that point, Dublin began to relax and four points in as many minutes from Seán Hawkshaw (2), Eoin O’Dea and Ciaran Archer had Dublin ten points clear by the 50^th minute mark.

Scorers for Dublin: R McGarry 2-4 (0-3f), S Hawkshaw, C Archer (0-1 ’45) 0-2 each, E O’Dea, K Lynch Bissett, F O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: D Coughlan 0-4 (0-3f), G Cooney 0-3 (0-2f), G Cahill, R O’Doherty, J Sheedy 0-1 each.

Dublin

1. David O’Hanlon (Na Fianna)

2. Darren Maher (St Pat’s, Donabate)
3. Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne (Cuala)
4. Liam Flatman (Kilmacud Crokes)

5. Kieran Kennedy (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
6. Neil Matthews (Erin’s Isle)
7. Eoin O’Dea (Na Fianna)

8. Donal Ryan (Na Fianna)
9. Mark Tracey (Cuala)

10. Karl Lynch Bissett (Naomh Mearnóg)
11. James Doran (Na Fianna)
12. Daniel Brennan (St Sylvester’s)

13. Ross McGarry (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
14. Seán Hawkshaw (Naomh Mearnóg
15. David Lacey (Na Fianna)

Subs:

20. Fionnán O’Sullivan (Skerries Harps) for Brennan (half-time)
23. Ciaran Archer (St Maur’s) for Lacey (40),
17. Aaron Lynch (St Sylvester’s ) for Maher (44).
22. Adam Byrne (Naomh Olaf) for Ryan (54)
24. Harry Ladd (Lucan Sarsfields) for McGarry (59).
19. Gavin Nangle (Naomh Mearnóg) for Kennedy (64).

Clare

1. Stephen Ryan (Kilrush)

2. Jack Sheedy (St Breckan’s)
3. Jayme O’Sullivan (Wolfe Tones)
4. Joe Miniter (Kilrush

5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6. Fergal Donnellan (Cooraclare)
7. Colin McNelis (Clondegad)

8. Danny Griffin (Eire Óg)
9. Keith White (Inagh Kilnamona)

12. Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurray/Ibrickane)
11. Ross Phelan (Kilrush)
10. Sean Rouine (Ennistymon)

15. Gearoid Cahill (Corofin)
13. Ross O’Doherty (Ennistymon)
14. Gavin Cooney (Eire Óg)

Subs:

19. Seamus Casey (Kildysart) for Cahill (39).
18. Ciaran O’Donoghue (Cooraclare) for Phelan (42).
17. Aidan Reynolds (Killimer) for Griffin (45).
23. Paudie Kelly (St Breckan’s) for O’Sullivan (54).
22. Connor Dillon (Ennistymon) for White (57).
21. Colm O’Brien (St Breckan’s) for O’Doherty (61).

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