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Keaveney heroics help Clare remain unbeaten

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Clare 2-19
Roscommon 0-9

After a perfect season, Clare added 60-day sanction players Graeme Canty and Mike Cronin. Bit it was Michael Slowey, another 60-day man, and New York-based Mike Keaveney who ignited the Banner early.
Slowey and Keaveney were being allowed an incredible amounts of space as Clare rolled to a 0-5 to 0-0 lead. Roscommon keeper Mike Deere kept his team in the match temporarily when he stopped Mike Cronin as a goal seemed imminent. Clare had a huge talent advantage all over the pitch, but Roscommon finally stopped stargazing and tried to make a match of it.
Sam Yore scored a great point for Roscommon on a shot that carried just over the Clare crossbar. Aodh Cronan pointed on a free as Roscommon showed signs of life.
Another mini run from Clare with Keaveney (2) and Michael Slowey pointing gave Roscommon every excuse to quit but the Connacht men would not lie down.
Edmund Clay and Cronin with two frees got their side within shouting distance at the half, 0-9 to 0-5. For all their superior talent, Clare could not have been happy to go to the break with such a small lead.
With another team or two available on the sideline, Clare turned to the bench to spark their effort. Carol Quinn entered just before the half. Niall Corbett and Stephen Flynn checked in just after the break. Quinn pointed, Cronin followed with a point, and then fed a wide-open Michael Slowey, who goaled.
Roscommon were on the ropes but fought back again. Ed Cleary added a brace of points and John Carlton pointed to keep Roscommon in the hunt. Referee Sam Jones pulled up with a leg injury and had to retire. Fortunately, Tom Fahey was on hand and he filled in ably.
Cartlon’s point was to be Roscommon’s last hurrah as Clare soon reasserted their superiority. Graeme Canty began to dominate in the middle of the park, soaring to catch high balls and tearing through the increasingly porous Roscommon defense.
Clare head to the final against either Mayo or Offaly under a bit of controversy. Thursday night’s GAA meeting figures to be interesting as an objection has been promised regarding Canty and Cronin, and their 60-day status. Clare will undoubtedly defend their position vigorously so we’ll have to wait and see.
Man of the Match: Mike Keaveney.
Clare: Evan Byrne, Dan Downey, Martin Slowey, Con Breen, Pa Murphy, Paul O’Connor, Rory Sweeney, Graeme Canty, Gary Dowd (0-2), Jim Donoghue (1-0), Mike Cronin (0-1), Tadhg Foley, Ronan Garvey, Michael Slowey (1-4), Mike Keaveney (0-8, 3 frees). Subs: Eoin O’Loughlin, Dave Garvey, Joe Egan, Carol Quinn (0-1), Derek Twiss (0-3).
Roscommon: Mike Deere, John Santry, Pauric Carney, Mike Conroy, Mike Costello, Tom McDonald, Declan Coyne, John McFadden, Sam Yore (0-1), Liam Casey, Kieran Keaveney, John Carlton (0-2), Ed Cleary (0-3), Barry Donnelly, Aodh Cronin (0-3, 3 frees).

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