Clare 4-26

Carlow 2-13

ALL-STAR HURLER Podge Collins netted as Clare easily advanced their All-Ireland football qualifier cause, keeping his own faint Championship hopes alive.

Few would have suspected the 2013 All-Ireland hurling medallist would finish out this year’s Championship as a footballer.

But the dual star was suspended for Saturday’s hurling defeat to Clare and successfully turned his attentions to football at Dr Cullen Park.

He was at his best in the first-half, helping Clare to build a big lead and he booted their third goal early in the second-half.

The Cratloe man was eventually taken off with 20 minutes to go and received huge applause from the travelling Clare fans.

It was all too easy for a Clare side managed by Collins’ father, Colm, who wrapped up their Round 2B victory by half-time.

The hosts did pick off several nice points from distance but were generally under huge pressure from Clare.

Podge and Sean Collins pulled the strings for players like David Tubridy and Rory Donnelly to grab the crucial scores.

Donnelly hit Clare’s first goal after 29 minutes and Shane Brennan added a second in injury-time, putting them 2-15 to 1-6 clear at half-time.

Carlow, who leaked seven goals to Meath here in the Leinster championship, shot some nice points from distance and Ciaran Moran grabbed a goal.

But Clare never let up and added more goals through Podge Collins and sub Podge McMahon in the second-half.

They will head into tomorrow morning’s Round 2B draw as underdogs but will fancy their chances having previously ran Kerry to within four points in Munster.

Scorers for Clare: Rory Donnelly 1-3, Podge McMahon 1-2 (1f), Shane Brennan 1-1, Gary Brennan (1f, 0-1 pen), Enda Coughlan and David Tubridy (1f) 0-4 each, Padraic Collins 1-0, Shane McGrath and Eoin Cleary 0-3 each, Sean Collins 0-2.

Scorers for Carlow: Ciaran Moran and David Bambrick 1-0 each, Daniel St Ledger, Cathal Coughlan (1f) and Paul Broderick (1f) 0-2 each, Eoghan Ruth, Benny Kavanagh, Seamus Kinsella (1f), Michael Meaney, Jack Kennedy, Willie Minchin (1f), Kevin Hartnett (own point) 0-1 each.

CLARE
1. Joe Hayes (Lissycasey)

2. Shane Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
3. Kevin Hartnett (Meelick)
4. Martin McMahon (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

5. Jamie Malone (Corofin)
6. Gordon Kelly (Milltown)
7. Ciaran Russell (Eire Og)

8. Gary Brennan (Clondegad)
9. Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis, Dublin)

10. Sean Collins (Cratloe)
11. Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
13. Padraic Collins (Cratloe)

15. Rory Donnelly (Cooraclare)
12. Shane Brennan (Clondegad)
14. David Tubridy (Doonbeg)

Subs:
19. Podge McMahon (Clondegad) for Tubridy (43)
24. Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen) for McGrath (43)
21. Eoin Cleary (Milltown) for P Collins (50)
20. Shane McNelis (Kildysart) for Russell (55)
16. Pierce De Loughrey (Cratloe) for Hayes (60)

CARLOW
1. Andy O’Brien (Naomh Eoin)

2. Richard Mahon (Eire Og)
3. Conor Lawlor (Palatine)
4. Barry-John Molloy (Rathvilly)

5. Kieran Nolan (Fighting Cocks)
6. Daniel St Ledger (Kildavin/Clonegal)
7. Benny Kavanagh (Eire Og)

8. Eoghan Ruth (Eire Og)
9. Hugh Gahan (Old Leighlin)

12. David Bambrick (Old Leighlin)
11. Ciaran Moran (Palatine)
10. Michael Meaney (Old Leighlin)

15. Cathal Coughlan (Old Leighlin)
14. Darragh Foley (Kilbride)
13. Seamus Kinsella (Old Leighlin)

Subs:
24. Graham Power (O’Hanrahan’s) for Lawlor (31)
18. Murtagh Ware (Kilbride) for Foley (33)
21. Paul Broderick (Tinryland) for Kinsella (h/t)
23. W Minchin (Old Leighlin) for Meaney (43)
22. Jordan Lowry (Eire Og) for Nolan (59)

Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo)

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