Clare thrilled with maiden win

FT: Clare 1-15 Sligo 1-07, Ennis, 4.30pm

HT: Clare 0-07 Sligo 1-04

Clare have won their first ever Bank of Ireland SFC qualifier as, helped by the sharp shooting of corner forwards Denis Russell (1-06) and Michael O’Dwyer (0-05), they brushed aside Sligo 1-15 to 1-07 at Cusack Park, Ennis to progress to round two.

Having never met in the championship, the formbook pointed to the Yeats county - or at least the bookmakers did - as the visitors were heavy 1/4 favourites before the off.

Two early points from Russell and Colm Mullen saw the Banner men in flying form but they were cut down to size by Sligo’s thirteen minute goal from corner forward Michael McNamara.

He and Dessie Sloyan continued to press the Connacht’s side claims but a brilliant string of four points from the right boot of O’Dwyer had Clare level at 0-07 to 1-04 at the break.

Having secured parity into the wind, Clare, defeated 2-10 to 0-09 in their Munster clash with Kerry, stepped up a gear in the second half. They ensured a goal lead for themselves with a fisted Russell goal after the restart and with O’Dwyer limping off, Kilkee marksman Russell finished off the job, pointing frees from 55 and 45 metres to seal a famous victory.

After Sloyan had pointed a first for lacklustre Sligo on 9 minutes, he was to prove central to their goal as four minutes later, his shot, batted away by 'keeper Dermot O'Brien only for McNamara to follow up and goal.

Kilmurray Ibrickane forward O'Dwyer crowned an excellent first half as he hammered over four straight points before Kieran Quinn, McNamara and Gerry McGowan (free) brought the sides back level at 1-04 to 0-07 at half time.

McGowan struck again in the second half but only after Russell had fisted home Clare's goal, a moment of magic as O'Dwyer danced along the end line before spotting the unmarked Russell.

A goal in front, Clare struck off points from Eoin Coughlan, Liscannor half back Alan Clohessy and O'Dwyer again, before he had to go off.

Substitute Martin Brehony and McGowan kept Sligo in the hunt but living off just three points in the second half, it was never to be.