Four sent off as Durrow shock devastated Clara in opening game of Senior Football Championship

In the first round of this years Senior Football Championship, Glenisk O’Connor Park saw the meeting of near neighbors Durrow and Clara in what was a feisty encounter – both sides ended up with thirteen men as Durrow's Jack Fogarty and Ciaran Burke and Clara's Conor Doyle and Barry Egan were dismissed by referee Kevin Williamson.

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship Group 1 Round 1

Durrow 1-12

Clara 0-8

It all ended with Durrow producing a mild surprise with an excellent win as they got the better of Clara – with Tullamore and Ferbane in the same group, this was a huge game for both and Clara's backs are now really to the wall.

The Durrow men got off to the quickest of starts when Ross Ravenhill won the throw-in before powering through laying off a pass for Shane McDermott to point from close range after ten seconds of action.

Josh Fleming responded two minutes later kicking a lovely free from distance for his sides opening score of the game leaving the sides all square.

The Clara men were struggling to find the scores and kicked a few poor wides and it was seven minutes later before we saw the next score when a fine Adam Kelly effort from under the stand split the posts before a Cormac Delaney forty-five was slotted over to leave the men in white three points to one ahead after twelve minutes of action. 

Durrow were dealt a blow in the sixteenth minute of the game when midfielder Jack Fogarty was sent off for an off the ball incident by referee Kevin Williamson, however, his team mates responded to this in the following moments. Firstly Fogarty’s younger brother Billy kicked a lovely point along with a Kevin McDermott free leaving the sides all square as the clock ticked towards injury time at the end of the opening half.

Darragh McKeon put the Clara men infront once again before Durrow centre back Ciaran Burke received his marching orders after a late, high hit leaving his side down to thirteen men.

Clara were a point up deep into injury time when their corner back Conor Doyle received his sides first red card of the clash after yet another off the ball incident meaning it would be fourteen v thirteen for the second period.

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Niall Geraghty opened the second half scoring with a fine effort aided by a strong breeze inside the first two minutes of the half to leave the sides all square once again.

A huge kick from Adam Kelly looked to be sailing over the bar but with the ball getting caught up in the breeze, Durrow net-minder Dermot Colbert done excellently to deal with the dropping ball keeping his goal intact.

A close range effort at the opposite end from Kevin McDermott before another Shane McDermott score put the Durrow men two in front after seven minutes of action in the second period.

Josh Fleming looked to have a certain goal at his mercy but blasted over from very close range to reduce the gap back to one before another well taken Billy Fogarty score sailed over the bar at the Park Avenue end of O’Connor Park as the game approached its final quarter.

Adam Kelly once again put the minimum between the sides when his powerful effort against the breeze went between the posts before the lively Dan Wyer got his first of the evening almost immediately cancelling out Kelly’s point.

The Clara outfit had a number of chances to reduce the gap again but saw three shots in a row drop short into the Durrow defence ensuring they’d remained infront as the game headed towards its final five minutes of action.

Barry Egan kicked a fine point before some sloppy Clara defending saw the ball fall to the dangerous Billy Fogarty who powered straight towards Joey Deehan's goal before finishing the ball to the back of the net giving the Durrow men a four point lead with five minutes of action remaining.

Clara’s faith was all but sealed when Barry Egan saw red for a late hit right in front of the officials on the terrace side of the field.

Durrow full back Oisin Cusack made a surging run up the field pointing from close range before another fine Fogarty effort pushed their side seven clear as the clock headed into injury time.

Edward Cullen got on the end of a high ball in towards the Durrow goal but saw his punched effort go over the bar before Fogarty once again raised a white flag with the resulting kick out being followed by Kevin Williamsons full time whistle.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Billy Fogarty (Durrow): The busy Dan Wyer and Kevin McDermott could have causes for the award here and Clara’s Marcas Dalton put in a busy shift for his side but Fogarty gets the nod here. He kicked five points and set up the crucial Steven Doran goal along with a couple of Durrows other points. Fogerty was instrumental in this win.

THE SCORERS

Durrow-: Billy Fogarty 1-5 (1f), Shane McDermott 0-2, Niall Geraghty, Kevin McDermott, Dan Wyer, Mark Troy and Oisin Cusack 0-1 each.

Clara-: Cormac Delaney 1f, 1 45’ and Adam Kelly 0-2 each, Josh Fleming, Edward Cullen, Darragh McKeon and Barry Egan 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

Durrow-: Dermot Colbert; Sean Hughes, Oisin Cusack, Jack O’Brien; Dan Bourke, Ciaran Burke, David Magner; Jack Fogarty, Ross Ravenhill; Shane McDermott, Niall Geraghty, Dan Wyer; Barry O’Rourke, Billy Fogarty, Kevin McDermott. Subs: Steven Doran for O’Rourke and Mark Troy for Geraghty (both 47mins), Gavin Hand for Bourke (56min), Alan Geoghegan for Shane McDermott (60min).

Clara: Joey Deehan; Conor Doyle, John Ledwith, Luke Dignam; Cathal O’Meara, Matthew Mitchell, Lorcan Hiney; Edward Cullen, Adam Kelly; Conor Egan, Marcas Dalton, Barry Egan; Josh Fleming, Cormac Delaney, Alex Egan. Subs: Pa Smith for Delaney inj (44min ), Alan Gavin for Conor Egan (51min), Robert Mitchell for Alex Egan and Cormac Delaney for Kelly (58min).

Referee – Kevin Williamson (Tullamore).

REFEREE WATCH

It was a busy night for Kevin Williamson on the cards front, but to his credit he got them all right on the night. He consulted with his umpires and linesmen when necessary. He was clear with his reasoning for decisions and kept up with proceedings very well and let the game flow when possible. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Steven Doran’s goal in the 55th minute was crucial here. The game had only saw either team lead by a point or two and Doran’s goal put daylight between the sides and Durrow kicked on from here.

VENUE WATCH

Glenisk O’Connor Park was in top condition, scoreboard and PA were all working efficiently and there were plenty of stewards in attendance albeit for a small crowd. The pitch was in immaculate condition as per usual and Jim Kelly along with his team were helpful and welcoming as ever.

WHAT'S NEXT

Durrow face Ferbane next while Clara face rivals Tullamore in rounds 2 in a fortnights time, both teams will be underdogs going into these games but certainly won’t fear the opposition

STATISTICS

Wides: Durrow 7 (3 in first half); Clara 6 (3 in first half)

Black Cards: None

Yellow Cards: Durrow 2 (Ross Ravenhill and Shane McDermott) Clara 2 (Alex Egan and Alan Gavin)

Red Cards: Durrow 2 (Jack Fogerty and Ciaran Burke); Clara 2 (Conor Doyle and Barry Egan)