Clare coast to comprehensive win over Sligo in Division Three match

Clare 0-22 Sligo 1-13

Clare enjoyed a comprehensive win over Sligo in Division Three of the Allianz football league at Cusack Park, Ennis, making it two wins out of three and consigning Sligo to the pointless category.

Though the visitors held the edge in the opening half, leading by 0-11 to 0-9 at the break, they were swamped by Clare in the second period, conceding 10 unanswered points in the opening 16 minutes of the half and their goal, a consolation score at that, came in injury time through full-forward Adrain Marren.

Sligo lead by 0-5 to 0-0 as early as the 14th minute of the opening half but when Clare finally got off the mark moments later through centre-forward Shane Hickey, the comeback was under way.

Clare clawed it back to a one point game, 0-10 to 0-9, by the 34th minute before Marren converted a close-in free for Sligo in injury-time.

After half-time it was all Clare. Pat Burke and Shane McGrath terrorised the Sligo defence and contributed handsomely to their side's scoring tally. Sligo didn't score again until 16 minutes into the half when Niall Ewing pointed though the goal was at his mercy. But the game was over as a contest at this stage and now Clare look forward to an away tie with Tipperary next weekend.

CLARE: J Hayes; D Ryan (0-1), K Harnett, M McMahon; C Russell, G Kelly, J Malone; G Brennan (0-3, frees), C O'Connor (0-1); S Collins (0-2), S Hickey (0-3), S McGrath (0-5); S Brennan, P Collins, P Burke (0-5). Subs: D Tubridy (0-2, one free) for S Brennan (h-t), S Haugh for Malone (64 mins), M O'Leary for Burke (64 mins), C Dunning for S Collins (68 mins), D Nagle for McMahon (bc, 70 mins).
SLIGO: A Devaney; D Maye, R Donovan, E Flanagan; K Cawley, B Egan, N Gaughan; C Breheney, C Davey (0-1); N Ewing (0-1), M Breheny (0-2, one free), N Murray; P Hughes, A Marren 1-6, 0-6 frees), D Kelly (0-3). Subs: K McDonnell for Davey (18 mins), S Gilmartin for C Breheney (47 mins), L Bree for Cawley (61 mins), G Ryan for Gaughan (61 mins).
Referee: J Henry (Mayo)