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Keaveney’s late free puts Clare over top

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

A Paul Higgins goal was all that stood between the sides when Aiden Power left referee Jimmy Naughton no choice but the red card when he landed a clean jab to Higgins’s jaw.
Martin Slowey pointed for Clare immediately on the restart but Leitrim made it clear that they were not going to fade out of this match, outscoring Clare 0-3 to 0-2 going to the half.
Like so many teams, Clare failed to take any real advantage of the extra man. Clare led 1-6 to 0-6 at the half and the teams exchanged points to start the second half. Leitrim sub Tommy Gee got it started with a fine point but Clare’s scoring corner back Niall Corbett answered right back.
Leitrim began to take charge with spirited play all over the field and some outstanding free taking by Ned Hogan. Three Hogan frees in a row leveled the match with 14 minutes to play, but Clare soon went back ahead when Gerry Skully pointed from a Corbett pass.
Ken O’Connor was winning a lot of high balls, particularly from keeper Gary Skully’s kick out, which are probably the longest seen in Gaelic Park this season.
Leitrim were working extremely hard to make up for the man disadvantage and they showed no signs of tiring. O’Connor retied the match and Hogan scored a great point from play as Leitrim edged in front 0-13 to 1-9 with 12 minutes still to play.
J.P. Boyle showed great vision to find Mike Keaveney and “Turla” equalized. Hogan and Keaveney contributed two points each with Hogan’s clutch free tying it with 3 minutes remaining.
A draw would have probably been a fair result, but it wasn’t to be. Leitrim’s Danny O’Sullivan and Clare’s Martin Slowey got tangled up, drawing yellow cards and a throw-in. Kenny O’Connor won the ball from referee Naughton’s throw-in, but Rory Sweeney’s determined effort gained possession for Clare. Sweeney continued his good work with an accurate crossfield pass to substitute Seamus Walsh. Walsh did well to field under heavy pressure and he drew the key foul.
Keaveney, who has been Mr. Automatic from frees the last couple of matches, took care of business and Clare had the dramatic victory while Leitrim were stuck with the gallant loser’s tag.
Man of the Match: Mike Keaveney
Clare: Evan Byrnes, Niall Corbett (0-1), Martin Meehan, Dan Downey, Eoghan Loughnane, Paul O’Connor, Rory Sweeney, Paul Higgins (1-0), Cathal Loughnane (0-1), Gary Dowd, J.P. Boyle, James Madigan, Gerry Skully (0-1), Martin Slowey (0-1), Mike Keaveney (0-9, 7 frees). Subs: Seamus Walsh, Joe Egan.
Leitrim: Gary Scully, Kevin Fitzpatrick, John Walsh, Michael Lynch, Ciaran Power, James McFadden, Andy O’Connor, Aiden Power, Ken O’Connor (0-1), Paul Murray, John Murphy (0-2), Danny O’Sullivan, Ned Hogan (0-8, 7 frees), Jim Donoghue (0-1), Gerry Doohan (0-2, 2 frees). Subs: Tom Gee (0-1), Victor O’Shea, Keith Murray.

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