Goals from Aaron Griffin and Daniel Walsh the difference as Clare defeat Fermanagh

The crucial three-pointers came in the 13th and 60th minute from the elegant Griffin and Walsh to effectively seal this see-saw affair.

GOALS WIN GAMES: Aaron Griffin of Clare celebrates scoring a goal. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile.

Fermanagh 0-18 (0-4-10) Clare 2-18 (2-2-14)

Goals win matches as an impressive Clare side showed in picking up two precious points against wasteful Fermanagh in Brewster Park.

The crucial three-pointers came in the 13th and 60th minute from the elegant Aaron Griffin and Daniel Walsh to effectively seal this see-saw affair.

Clare deserved their win as they were more clinical in front of goals and hit six wides compared to their opponent’s tally of ten.

Both of Clare’s goals came from turnovers as Fermanagh badly missed the towering presence of Lee and Che Cullen along with Ryan Lyons in defence and they need a few stoppers in the centre of the defence.

And Clare had more penetrative power as their direct running caused the Erne-side real danger throughout.

But it was Clare’s second goal from Walsh that was the killer blow as they strolled through the middle of the Fermanagh defence before the forward fired the ball low to the net in the 60th minute, just as the Ernesiders had narrowed the gap to the minimum thanks to a great point from Josh Largo Ellis, 1-16 to 0-18.

Suddenly the margin was out to four points and Fermanagh never really looked like bridging the gap as the spectre of relegation looms amid a tough away match with Westmeath next week.

For Clare, who led by 1-10 to 0-10 at the break, full-forward Mark McInerney and centre forward Griffin were outstanding while the free scoring Ronan McCaffrey and Josh Largo Eliis shone for the home side.

Recently returned Joe McDade opened the scoring for the home side after a minute’s play.

But Griffin swiftly responded for the Banner which set the pattern for a ding- dong opening half.

McCaffrey then landed a monster point for the home with Eoin Cleary’s dipping shot just clearing the bar to level matters.

On his first League start, Conor O’Hanlon landed a fine two-pointer for the home side as Brian McNamara skied a superb point for the Banner.

But a cheap turnover when attacking was to cost Fermanagh dearly as Clare raced down the pitch with Ronan Lanigan and Eoin Cleary finding the unmarked Griffin deep inside the Erne defence and he cooly picked his spot to put Clare into a 1-3 to 0-4 lead after twelve minutes.

The athletic McInerney pointed for Clare, but Garvan Jones converted a two-pointer free to narrow the gap to a point.

But Fermanagh also hit three wides in this period.

However, a two-pointer from Darragh McGurn and a single point from McDaid put them into a 0-9 to 1-4 lead.

McInerney pointed a close range free after Fermanagh were punished for dissent and towering midfielder McNamara levelled matters at 0-9 to 1-6.

It was then Fermanagh took a bizarre decision not to have Jones hit a possible two-pointer as keeper Jack Kelly’s effort went wide.

Clare hit a fine two-pointer from Cleary as Griffin and McCaffrey swapped points to leave the winners ahead by 1-10 to 0-10 at the break.

Fermanagh hit a purple patch on the restart and the points flowed from McCaffrey, Jones, Josh Largo Ellis.

Two needless breaches by Clare were punished with points from Love and Jones pointed for the second breach as Fermanagh led by 0-15 to 1-10.

Fermanagh had a free which keeper Kelly just missed as McInerney got Clare’s first score in eleven minutes.

McInerney responded with two great points as Fermanagh racked up their eighth wide.

Cleary made it a three-point game for Clare as McCaffrey responded with a soaring effort for the Ernesiders.

Josh Largo Ellis finished a fine move with a point as Clare led by 1-15 to 0-17.

McInerney pointed after another Erne turnover and Josh Largo Ellis landed Fermanagh’s final point.

But that was their last score as Clare finished strongly through Walsh’s vital goal and two further points from Shane Griffin and Cleary.

Fermanagh had a late chance of a goal, but Clare keeper Stephen Ryan superbly smothered Conor Love’s point-blank shot as Clare went home with two precious points.

Scorers for Fermanagh: G Jones (0-5, 1tp), D McGurn (1tp), Josh Largo Ellis, R McCaffrey (0-3 each), C O’Hanlon (2tp), J McDade (0-2 each).

Scorers for Clare: M McInerney (0-8, 1tp, 5f), A Griffin (1-4, 1tp), D Walsh (1-0), E Cleary (0-3), B McNamara (0-2), S Griffin (0-1).

Fermanagh: J Kelly; J Cassidy, O Smyth, R McCaffrey; F O’Brien, S McGulliion, Josh Largo Ellis; J McDade, B Horan; D McCusker, D McGurn, P Breen; C O’Hanlon, G Jones, Jack Largo Ellis.

Subs: C Love for P Breen (ht), C Corrigan for C O’Hanlon (50), S McGullion for D McCusker (57), A Kelm for J Largo Ellis (62), O Kelm for F O’Brien (65).

Clare: S Ryan; A Sweeney, R Lanigan, M Doherty; D Coughlan, I Ugweru, C Rouine; B McNamara, D Bohannon; D Walsh, A Griffin, B Rouine; E Cleary, M McInerney, J Vaughan.

Subs: C Meaney for C Rouine (34), S Griffin for J Vaughan (59), C Murray for A Griffin (67).

Referee: Alan Coyne (Westmeath).