Newmarket Celtic have moved into pole position to retain their Clare Premier Division title.
Mark O’Malley’s charges saw off the challenge of Lifford, with a brace of David McCarthy goals and a long range free from goalkeeper Shane Cusack securing a 3-0 win.
Avenue United lost ground after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sporting Ennistymon.
The Ennis side took the lead through a Mark Roche penalty but the North Clare men equalised soon after to leave them tied 1-1 at the break.
A late penalty looked to have handed David Russell’s side the opportunity to take the three points, but the chance was missed.
It leaves Newmarket on 33 points, with Avenue four off the pace on 29 points, but with a game in hand.
It means Avenue must now win that spare game and beat Newmarket in their much anticipated showdown in the coming weeks if they are to clinch the title.
Elsewhere, Shannon Olympic picked up their second win of the season after beating Ennis Town 1-0, while Shannon Hibs suffered an 11th consecutive loss after local bragging rights went to Shannon Town in a 3-1 scoreline.