National Football League Division Two: Meath 4-08 – Clare 0-16
Occasional moments of disarray in The Banner rear-guard saw Clare fall to their first defeat of their 2023 National Football League campaign after a fiery encounter with Meath in Navan.
The Clare men were struck their first blow before throw in with the news Captain, Eoin Cleary would be withdrawn from the starting line up due to injury concerns.
However more immediate concerns unfolded on the field of play, as three goals in quick succession from Jordan Morris and a Donal Lennihan brace saw Meath lead by 3-02 to 0-02 after just 17 minutes in Páirc Tailteann.
To their credit, Clare would respond defiantly, scoring the next five points without reply through Gavin Cooney and Emmet McMahon, narrowing the gap to just five points at the break as the banner went into the dressing rooms trailing by 3-03 to 0-07.
The introduction of Aaron Griffin on the restart provided the required support to Clare’s attack and by the 40th minute, further scores from Pierce Lillis, Dermot Coughlan and Emmet McMahon saw just four points separating the sides.
The sides continued to trade scores throughout the second half as Clare stayed in touch, with the hopes of dramatically reeling in the deficit, in similar fashion to the first round victory over Louth.
However a black card issued to Cathal O’Connor on 50 minutes coupled with a fourth hammer blow coming in the way of yet another Meath green flag raised by Jason Scully just four minutes later put the final nail in Clare’s coffin.
Late contributions from Mark McInerney and Darragh Bohannon saw Clare close the gap to four points in a division were scoring difference may yet prove vital as it finished in Páirc Tailteann on a final score of Meath 4-08 to Clare 0-16.
Next up for Clare is the visit of Kildare to Cusack Park for Round 3 on February 19th.
