Nolan keeps Clara’s double hopes alive

Clara 1-17 St Martin’s 1-14

The winners set the early pace, only to be leapfrogged when Canice Maher snapped up a 13th minute goal for Martin’s.

That turned proved to be the crucial score of the half as Martin’s led 1-6 to 0-8.

The new half wasn’t even 50 seconds old when Ciarán Prendergast posted an equaliser for Clara. Liam Ryan then pointed them in front. They never looked back, although they found it hard to make a decisive break.

The scores were level three times subsequently. Clara regained the lead with a lovely point from the ever-dangerous James Nolan in the 52nd minute (0-15 to 1-11). Within two minutes Nolan had the ball in the net, and that score broke Martin’s.

Scorers for Clara: K. Hogan (0-7, 0-5 frees); J. Nolan (1-2); L. Ryan (0-3); J.

Langton, C. Prendergast (0-2 each); N. Prendergast (0-1).

St Martin’s: J. Maher (0-8, 0-6 frees); J. Mulhall (0-4); C. Maher (1-0); R. Shore, D. Breen (0-1 each).

CLARA: K. Phelan; T. Ryan, J. Phelan, S. O’Shea; N. Prendergast, S. Prendergast, D. Langton; L. Ryan, J. Langton; C. Phelan, K. Hogan, L. Ryan; A. Murphy, J. Nolan, C. Prendergast.

Subs: C. O’Shea for A. Murphy; C. Bolger for C. Prendergast.

ST MARTIN’ S: C. McGrath; N. Moran, O. Walsh, S. Caidgan; B. Byrne, P. Nolan, J. Maher; J. Dowling, T. Breen; D. Breen, J. Mulhall, C. Maher; B. Mulhall, John Maher, R. Shore.

Subs: Joe Maher for D. Breen; P. Maher for B. Mulhall.