Allianz Football League Division Two

Kildare 0-16 Clare 0-15

By Eoin Brennan at Cusack Park

It could yet be a season-defining result for Kildare after somehow producing a rousing seven point turnaround to floor hosts Clare at the death in Cusack Park Ennis on Sunday afternoon.

Already trailing by six points, the dismissal of Ben McCormack for a second yellow in the 50th minute appeared to be the death knell for Glenn Ryan’s side. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, as their numerical disadvantage only seemed to finally ignite Kildare’s challenge and in the process provide a semblance of complacency for a previously impressive Clare in what would be a dramatic final quarter.

Indeed, Kildare kicked eight of the last nine points, with substitutes Neil (4) and Daniel Flynn (2) accounting for the majority of that remarkable rally as the visitors snatched victory with the final kick of an enthralling encounter.

It was the only time that Kildare led in the almost 80 minute contest which would understandably be difficult for the Banner County to accept as they looked to have done the spadework for victory.

Led by captain Eoin Cleary, Clare embraced the conditions to nudge 0-4 to 0-2 ahead by the 15th minute but perversely only really caught fire when Alan Sweeney was black-carded five minutes later.

With Jack Robinson and Jimmy Hyland regaining parity by the end of the opening quarter, the absence of Sweeney motivated the hosts to new heights as they kicked seven of the last 10 points, four from Cleary, to take a welcome 0-11 to 0-7 advantage into the dressing rooms.

Despite now facing into a sizeable wind, Clare only build upon that cushion as unanswered points through Emmet McMahon, Eoin Cleary and Gavin Cooney opened up a 0-14 to 0-8 advantage by the 47th minute.

Following McCormack’s sending off, Darragh Kirwan was on the end of two glorious goal chances but first he cleared the crossbar before the second was saved at point blank range by goalkeeper Stephen Ryan.

Kildare must have felt by that stage that their chance was gone but as repeatedly demonstrated in recent seasons, there is such thing as a lost cause in Division 2. That never-say-die spirit saw the Lilywhites outscore their hosts by 0-8 to 0-1 coming down the final straight completed by a winning 75th minute free from Neil Flynn to potentially kickstart their campaign.

Scorers for Kildare: Jimmy Hyland (4fs) and Neil Flynn (2fs) 0-4 each, Paddy Woodgate (1f) and Daniel Flynn 0-2 each, Jack Robinson, Kevin Feely, Darragh Kirwan, and David Hyland 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Eoin Cleary 0-8 (6fs), Emmet McMahon 0-2 (1f), Gavin Cooney 0-2 Ronan Lanigan, Podge Collins, and Dermot Coughlan 0-1 each.

Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Mick O’Grady, Shea Ryan, Ryan Houlihan; David Hyland, Kevin Flynn, Paddy McDermott; Kevin O’Callaghan, Kevin Feely; Paddy Woodgate, Ben McCormack, Eoin Doyle; Jack Robinson, Darragh Kirwan, Jimmy Hyland.

Subs: Daniel Flynn for Robinson (42), Neil Flynn for Woodgate (44), Darragh Malone for O’Callaghan (58), Shane O’Sullivan for J. Hyland (66).

Clare: Stephen Ryan; Manus Doherty, Cillian Brennan, Ronan Lanigan; Cian O’Dea, Pearse Lillis, Alan Sweeney; Cathal O’Connor, Darragh Bohannon; Dermot Coughlan, Eoin Cleary, Jamie Malone; Podge Collins, Gavin Cooney, Emmet McMahon

Subs: Ikem Ugwueru for Sweeney (HT), Aaron Griffin for Cooney (47), Brendy Rouine for O’Connor (48, inj), Ciaran Downes for Coughlan (55), Ciaran Russell for Doherty (70).

Referee: David Murnane (Cork).