Sport

Russells get in on the goal act

Clare collected their first points of the season when they had four points to spare over Derry at Cusack Park yesterday, but …

Mon Feb 25 2002 - 00:00

Clare collected their first points of the season when they had four points to spare over Derry at Cusack Park yesterday, but this bottom-of-the-table clash provided poor fare for the small attendance in Ennis.

Clare 2-5 Derry 0-7:

Clare, who played into a strong breeze and with only 14 men for the second half, deserved their win, thanks mainly to the performance of their back-line. Centre forward Paul Hehir was sent to the line before the break for his second yellow card.

The home team had the better of the first half exchanges and two goals before the interval sent them well on their way. Derry drew first blood with an early point from a free by Geoffrey McGonagle, but Clare's response was a well taken goal by full forward David Russell after good work from his brother Denis and captain Pádraig Gallagher.

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Colm Mullen and Peter O'Dwyer added points before Denis Russell scored Clare's second goal after his speculative shot was dropped by goalkeeper Shane McGuckian. David Russell could have had another goal before the break, but instead of shooting low, he fisted over. Derry replied with points from Gavin Diamond and Eamonn Burns.

Derry's challenge in the second period left a lot to be desired. They could only manage four scores in the entire 35 minutes, despite having a fair share of possession. The Clare defence came into their own and some good individual performances from Pádraig Gallagher, Mark O'Connell and Philip Smith ensured Derry returned home empty handed.

CLARE: E Slattery, P Gallagher, B Considine, N Hawes, P Smith, R Gibbons, M O'Connell, D O'Sullivan, G Quinlan, P O'Dwyer (0-1), P Hehir, Denis Russell (1-0), C Mullen (0-2), David Russell (1-1), S Hickey. Subs: R Slattery for Hawes, M O'Shea for Denis Russell, D O'Driscoll (0-1) for Hickey, M Keane for Mullen.

DERRY: S McGuckin, D O'Neill, K McCloy, S M Lockhart, C McNally, P McFlynn, G Doherty, E Burns (0-2 frees), P Murphy, F Crossan, D Doughan, J McBride, G Diamond (0-2), G McGonagle (0-2), M Niblock. Subs: B Mullan for McCloy; A Donaghy (0-1) for Murphy; P O'Neill for Crossan.

Referee: E Whelan (Laois)