National Football League – Sunday, 3rd March 2019
Fermanagh 0-12 Clare 0-9
The reality for Clare’s senior footballers now is this is a relegation dog fight to maintain their Division Two status.
That was the result from this disappointing loss that saw them stay in sixth place, but only on scoring difference ahead of bottom two Tipperary and Cork.
There was no doubt the better team won as Fermanagh made the third quarter count after leading 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time.
Clare’s scores came from Jamie Malone, Conor Finnucane, Gary Brennan and a David Tubridy brace but they needed a strong start after the break but it was the Erne men who did damage.
Sean Quigley, Declan McCusker and Ciaran Corrigan made it 0-9 to 0-6 before Jamie Malone got Clare’s first second half point on 51 minutes.
But the Banner were guilty of five poor wides and also a couple of breaks went against them. Gary Brennan’s long delivery dropped into keeper Thomas Treacy’s hands before landing in the net. But referee Jerome Henry declared a foul.
And Jamie Malone was sin binned for the final 10 minutes for a black card making Clare’s task harder.
Jamie Malone beforehand, Keelan Sexton and Eoin Cleary got Clare’s last three points but they couldn’t close the gap as Sean Quigley, Aidan Breen and Ryan Lyons converted for Fermanagh.
Meath arrive in Cusack Park in two weeks and every point is critical now.
Scorers – Clare: Jamie Malone 0-2, David Tubridy 0-2 (both frees), Gary Brennan 0-1 (free), Kieran Malone 0-1, Eoin Cleary 0-1 (free), Conor Finucane 0-1, Keelan Sexton 0-1.
Scorers – Fermanagh: Sean Quigley 0-6 (five frees, one ’45), Ciaran Corrigan 0-1, Ryan Lyons 0-1, Declan McCusker 0-1, Aidan Breen 0-1, Shay Cullen 0-1.
Clare: Pierce DeLoughrey; Kevin Hartnett, Cillian Brennan, Gordon Kelly; Dean Ryan, Aaron Fitzgerald, Cian O’Dea; Gary Brennan, Cathal O’Connor; Kieran Malone, Sean Collins, Jamie Malone; Eoin Cleary, David Tubridy, Conor Finucane.
Subs used: Keelan Sexton for K Malone (49 mins), Sean O’Donoghue for O’Connor (49 mins), Gearoid O’Brien for Finucane (55 mins).
Fermanagh: Thomas Treacy; Jonny Cassidy, Lee Cullen, Kane Connor; Ultan Kerin, James McMahon, Ciaran Corrigan; Shay Cullen, Ryan Jones; Ryan Lyons, Declan McCusker, Aidan Breen; Kevin McDonnell, Conall Jones, Sean Quigley.
Subs used: Paul McCusker for McDonnell (30 mins), Eoin Donnelly for Cassidy (43 mins), Daniel Teague for Jones (55 mins), Darragh McGurn for P McCusker (68 mins), Eamon McHugh for Breen (68 mins).
Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)