Clifden 3-12

Athenry 1-11

Mike Rafferty at Pearse Stadium

CLIFDEN laid the foundation for this victory with an impressive first half display when despite facing the elements, they led at the break before going on to clinch a fourth Junior A Football Championship in impressive fashion at a wet and wintry Pearse Stadium on Saturday.

In a competitive affair, two goals in a three minute spell early in the second half turned matters very much in Clifden’s favour and while Athenry responded with a green flag of their own, they were six points in arrears and despite closing the gap on two occasions they were always chasing the game thereafter.

It was Athenry who should have enjoyed the assistance of the wind in the opening half, but they struggled to take advantage of the elements, scoring one point in the opening quarter and trailed by two at the break. Some wayward shooting and really solid defence by Clifden ensured that their opening half tally was never going to be a threat to the winners and, so it turned out, as the West Board champions gradually increased their advantage as the game progressed.

Though it was James Foran’s outfit who opened the scoring in the opening minute when Thomas Flynn set up Jamie O’Driscoll, whom they lost to injury shortly afterwards, it was the only time that they led in the final. From the early exchanges, Clifden set a pattern with slick passing and movement, and with accurate forwards, they displayed a greater ability to finish than their opponents.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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