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DUBLIN 1-13
CLARE 0-13
Dublin delivered an exceptional defensive display when getting the better of Clare by three points in their Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge Division 2 final at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was Dublin that enjoyed a deserved 1-9 to 0-8 interval advantage with a 2nd minute goal from late replacement Conal Kelly and four frees from Ben Flanagan helping them seize the early initiative.
The second-half was a tense affair with scores at a premium but Dublin remained resolute throughout with points from Brian McCaffrey and substitute Adam Morris in the final quarter worth their weight in gold by the final whistle.
Dublin could not have wished for a more positive start as McCaffrey escaped down the left channel and his well-timed pass allowed Kelly the chance to rifle high past Conor Lynch in the Clare goal.
Luke Madden replied with two excellent points for Clare, the first coming from a delightful sideline ball, before the lively McCaffrey restored Dublin’s two-point lead with a fine score in the 5th minute.
While Sam Faherty replied with a Clare point four minutes later, Dublin were impressing at the back through the efforts of Lucas Cass, Davin Tighe and Kyle Comerford in particular.
Their efforts allowed the Dubs to maintain a concerted pressure on the Banner defence, pressure which yielded three frees in quick succession from Flanagan.
Clare’s Daragh Rosney and Dublin’s Daniel O’Donovan exchanged points either side of the first-quarter mark before a fourth Flanagan free in the 21st minute stretched Dublin’s lead to a healthy five points.
Further scores from Jack Murphy and Josh Bracken saw Dublin extend their lead despite Clare growing into the encounter with Rosney unfortunate to see his powerful shot cannon to safety off Luke Kilmurray’s crossbar.
They were rewarded for their improved levels of territory as Rory Chaplin and Donal O’Leary tagged on points towards the end of the half but Murphy’s second score from play left Dublin well placed with a four-point buffer by the break.
With the breeze stiffening, Clare took little time in trimming their arrears through a brace of Rosney frees and a Hogan point from play.
Flanagan replied with a free for Dublin but their defence was coming under increased pressure at this stage, making Flanagan’s dead-ball prowess all the more crucial as he edged his side three-points clear when converting a ‘65’ in the 42nd minute.
McCaffrey’s second point of the game eight minutes later was equally significant and a Morris point within seconds of his introduction handed Dublin sufficient room on the scoreboard to see out the closing minutes, claiming the Corn John Scott in the process.
Scorers – Dublin: B Flanagan 0-6 (5f, 1 ’65); C Kelly 1-0; B McCaffrey, J Murphy 0-2 each; D O’Donovan, J Bracken, A Morris 0-1 apiece. Clare: D Rosney 0-4 (2f); L Madden 0-3 (1 sideline); D Hogan 0-2; S Faherty, R Chaplin, D O’Leary, M Vaughan 0-1 apiece.
Dublin: L Kilmurray; P Walsh, D Tighe, K Comerford; J Bracken, L Cass, D Heffernan; C Shortall, R McCormack; J Murphy, B McCaffrey, J Mills; C Kenny, D O’Donovan, B Flanagan. Subs: P Murphy for Mills (half-time), C O’Farrell for Kilmurray (half-time), T Duke for O’Donovan (39), O Chambers for McCormack (39), D Gannon for Murphy (44), J Sherry for Bracken (54), A Morris for Shortall (54), B Coughlan for Kenny (54).
Clare: C Lynch; P Healy, C Breslin, H Nolan; F Duignan, R O’Donnell, D O’Connell; D O’Leary, D O’Donovan; L Madden, C Rosney, S Faherty; R Chaplin, J Ellingstad, D Hogan. Subs: M Vaughan for Ellingstad (42), B Lynch for O’Connell (47), D McDonnell for O’Leary (55), S Barrett for Hogan (58),
Referee: Cian Ryan (Tipperary).