Ikem Ugweru continues to impress for Clare. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Three
Clare 2-22 (2-0-22) Laois 1-21 (1-3-15)
Clare will have their promotion fate in their own hands next weekend when they take on Offaly, after Peter Keane’s side produced a wonderful second-half comeback against Laois at Laois Hire O’Moore Park.
Unlike a lot of other games in the Allianz Football League this year, Clare’s transformation from the first half to the second had nothing to do with the wind and everything to do with a couple of key individual performances, in particular Brian McNamara helping to break the Laois stranglehold at midfield, Manus Doherty curtailing the freescoring Mark Barry, and Emmet McMahon bursting into the game with seven points, all after half-time.
Aaron Griffin and Ikem Ugwueru were impressive throughout the 70 minutes, and it was an explosive run and low finish from Griffin that established an early lead for the Banner County.
However, Conor Heffernan and Damon Larkin took control of the midfield battle and with Mark Barry knocking over a plethora of scores from frees and from play, Laois gradually took over, moving six points clear when Ronan Coffey got a fist to a Josh Hogan shot that dropped short, making it 1-13 to 1-7 with the last action of the first half.
The second half was completely different however, with McMahon bursting into the game with three points in two minutes, while Alan Sweeney’s palmed goal in the 57th minute left just a point between the sides.
While Clare had all the momentum, two-pointers from Killian Roche and Heffernan kept Laois in front, but they could do nothing as Griffin’s fisted point (bringing his tally to 1-4) kicked off a run of six consecutive Clare points to finish the contest.
