Late Eanna Giblin two-pointer not enough as Clare Minors hold on in nervy finish against Sligo

Clare won by a single point in Tubbercurry after Sligo staged a late comeback in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Football Tier 2 preliminary quarter-final. Sligo led early through Ryan Lang and Aodhan Hannon, but Thomas Dillon’s two-pointer levelled the game. Liam Keane’s goal put Clare ahead, and a second Clare goal before half-time left Sligo facing a large deficit. Thomas Dillon’s second-half goal nearly sealed the result, while Sligo responded with late points, including two two-pointers. Eanna Giblin’s added-time two-pointer reduced the gap to one, but Clare managed the game to see it out.

"Sligo were leading 0-3 to 0-1 with eight minutes played thanks to scores from Ryan Lang and Aodhan Hannon. A lovely two-pointer from the influential Thomas Dillon brought the score level. Liam Keane's goal on 19 minutes had Clare ahead after Ryan Lang's free did bring Sligo level. Keane initially fed Dillon, but Sligo defended well to cut out of the space for the Doonbeg man who teed up Keane to shoot past James Broderick."

"A second Clare goal - this time coming from the boot of Cotter who ran onto a long ball - gave Sligo a mountain to climn, although three quickfire scores from Lang before half-time reduced the gap to five points. Kelly's two pointer brought Sligo to within two points of Clare five minutes into the second-half, but Clare kept plugging away. Keane's free was followed by a point from Darren Fitzpatrick, before the third goal arrived courtesy of Dillon with both Keane and Zac O'Shea involved."

"It felt like the game was beyond Sligo at this stage, but the home side battled hard. Trailing by seven points, they never let their heads drop. Danny Feeney reduced the margin to six points, with three unanswered points by Lang leaving the gap at four. Ryan Brody halted that Sligo purple patch late on, but a two-pointer from Nathan McLoughlin gave Sligo real hope. Dillon added another, meaning Sligo were behind by three, with that lat"

"Eanna Giblin's two-pointer in added time reduced the gap to just a single point, but Clare's smart game management allowed the visitors to see the game out. Thomas Dillon's second-half goal had all but put the game beyond Sligo. But Ownie Coyle's side battled hard and added eight late points, including two two-pointers for a nervy finish."

Read at Irish Independent