Éire Óg end 35-year wait for Clare title 

Banner star David Reidy ensured that Clooney-Quin’s 83-year wait goes on.

MAIN MAN: Jack O'Neill of Clooney Quin under pressure from iDavid Reidy of Éire Óg Ennis at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Éire Óg 0-17 Clooney-Quin 0-12 

Red all over. In the end, Éire Óg were forced to earn their first county title since 1990. They stretched clear in the closing minutes, leaving Ennis shaking to its core in celebration. It will tremble for days yet.

An outstanding display from Clare star David Reidy, who hit second half points, ensured that Clooney-Quin’s 83-year wait goes on.

County finals are always special occasions but this was truly spectacular. An enormous crowd gathered in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in anticipation. Both teams emerged to guards of honour made of up the excited children and the extended panel. Their roars mixed with the sounds of the Pipe Band to make the place hum.

Éire Óg led 0-9 to 0-8 after a nervy opening half. Peter Duggan landed six of his side’s opening eight points but left another four behind him through missed frees.

His terrific score from the sideline had Clooney-Quin just about hanging on in the opening quarter. Former Clare joint-manager Gerry O’Connor saw his outfit race into a five point lead after 13 minutes only to muster just a single point before the turnaround.

Three-time All-Star Shane O’Donnell was well marshalled by upcoming prospect John Conneally. Puckout struggles caused Clooney-Quin’s early deficit, Davy Russell profiting from one wayward restart for his first from play.

Gradually, Éire Óg were pinned back. A string of wides by both teams before the break compelled the tension. Eventually, Reidy struck a terrific effort to end his side’s 24-minute dry run. It was fraught and often fierce. A lengthy stoppage after a skirmish resulted in two yellows and seven additional minutes.

Duggan did his utmost to keep Clooney-Quin in touch with a free, a 65, and a point from play after a frantic goalmouth scramble. But they could never match Éire Óg’s power. With five minutes remaining, the gap was two. Éire Óg summoned their leaders to see it home.

O’Donnell ghosted past two defenders and clipped a signature score after a meandering solo. Reidy added his fourth, and Oran Cahill curved over his second before wheeling away, one arm aloft.

The club are now one step away from a remarkable double, with their footballers in the decider next week.

Scorers for Éire Óg: D. Russell 0-5 (0-2 f, 1 65); D. Reidy, M. Cleary 0-4 each; O. Cahill, S. O’Donnell 0-2 each.

Scorers for Clooney-Quin: P. Duggan 0-9 (0-5 frees, 1 65); C. Hassett, J. Conneally, D. McNamara 0-1 each.

Éire Óg: D. Stack; F. Treacy, C. Russell, L. Corry; R. Loftus, A. Fitzgerald, D. Moroney; J. Collins, O. Cahill; S. O’Donnell, D. Reidy, D. McNamara; D. O’Brien, D. Russell, M. Cleary.

Subs: E. O’Regan for O’Brien (half-time); T. Kavanagh for McNamara (48); R. Mulcahy for Moroney (53); J. O’Dwyer for Collins (58); N. McMahon for O’Regan (66).

Clooney-Quin: C. Duggan; S. McNamara, C. Grogan, E. Maxted; J. Conneally, D. Keogh, J. Cahill; R. Taylor, J. Corry; J. O’Connor, P. Duggan, J. O’Neill; S. Scanlon, C. Hassett, D. McNamara.

Subs: D. Fox for Scanlon (39); M. Duggan for O’Connor (48); U. O’Sullivan for McNamara (54); T. Lee for Hassett (60); B. McInerney for McNamara (63).

Referee: J. Bugler (Whitegate).