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Clare eager to impress new boss O'Dwyer

Clare 1-20 Limerick 1-2: Mick O’Dwyer’s term as the new Clare senior football team manager began with success yesterday at Miltown…

Mon Jan 07 2013 - 00:00

Clare 1-20 Limerick 1-2:Mick O'Dwyer's term as the new Clare senior football team manager began with success yesterday at Miltown Malbay, when his side recorded a big win over Limerick IT in the opening round of the McGrath Cup.

The home side were never troubled by a poor opposition, but that did not detract from the Kerry man’s delight at bagging a win on his first day in charge.

“It was a poor Limerick IT side all right,” he admitted. “But you play what’s in front of you and that’s all we could do.”

Clare will face a much sterner challenge in the next round.

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“We have Limerick next Sunday and that will be a better test of our team. Limerick have been a very good side for the last seven or eight years, so we’ll be looking forward to next Sunday’s game,” he said.

Clare were in control throughout and with some new young faces on display proceeded to carve through a rather brittle LIT defence, from the off. They lead by 0-3 to nil after four minutes and had amassed seven points on the board before the students opened their account in the 14th minute with a Tommy McCarthy goal.

But that was as close as they got and Clare regained control, finishing the half 1-11 to 1-0, in front. Gary Brennan grabbed their goal on 20 minutes after a Podge McMahon hand pass.

For the remainder of the game the Banner picked off points at will with some fine scores coming from the boot and at times the fist of half forward Shane McGrath.

LIT goalkeeper James Broudair was most impressive throughout and on five occasions he pulled off magnificent saves to deny rampant Clare.

CLARE: J Hayes; S Collins, C Dixon, E Coughlan (0-2); M McMahon, G Kelly, D Callinan; G Brennan (1-0), C OConnor; S McGrath (0-7), J Dowling (0-1), A Clohessy (0-4, one 45); P McMahon (0-2), I McInerney (0-3, one free, 45, N Kelly (0-1). Subs: C Duggan for P McMahon, T Downes for Dowling (both half-time), I Whyte for Callinan (56 mins), J Keane for OConnor (62), G Quinlan for McInerney (67).

LIT: J Brouder; S Considine, S Malone, G Canty; P Barrett, S Durran, G Murphy; T McCarthy (1-0), M Brennan; S Ryan, T Griffin, S Hayes; S Behan, B Coleman (0-1, free), C Callinan. Subs: N Breen for Behan (24 mins), C Wallace (0-1) for Callinan (50 mins), E OSullivan for Considine (54 mins), S Ó Comáin for McCarthy (62).

Referee: C Lane (Cork).