Clifden 1-10

Islandeady 0-11

By Alan Dooley at Kenny Park

ENDA Conneely’s well-taken 49th minute goal that gave Clifden the lead for the first time in Saturday’s keenly-contested Connacht Junior club semi-final ended up being the decisive score in seeing off the much fancied Mayo champions Islandeady.

With the scores tied at eight points apiece, substitute Conneely could easily have taken the safe option of a point when played into a goalscoring position by Ger Gibbons, but Conneely backed himself and succeeded in beating the imposing presence of goalkeeper Bryan O’Flaherty with a low drive to net.

With the wind at their backs and three points to the good, it appeared as though Clifden had timed their run to perfection, but there was still time for plenty of drama as Islandeady forced the pace while Clifden now had a precious lead to protect. When Islandeady sub Danny McGowan’s shot struck the butt of the post, Clifden had survived a major let-off and in the end it was their ability to convert turnovers into vital scores in the closing stages that got them over the line.

Ger Gibbons has long been Clifden’s talisman and yet again he was highly influential when the chips were down, converting a precious free in injury after Darragh Joyce’s point for Islandeady had cut the gap back to just one. Having lost to Ardnaree and Killala previously in provincial finals, to beat a Mayo side for the first time was a satisfying achievement for Clifden manager Ray Hogan, who now has a provincial final against St. Ronan’s of Roscommon to prepare for.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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