CLARE, ARMAGH AND Limerick all made a successful start to their 2015 Allianz football league campaigns today with Division 3 victories.
Dublin native Pat Burke, a recruit this year to the Banner ranks, hit the net for Clare in their comfortable 1-16 to 0-5 success over Wexford in Miltown Malbay. David Tubridy shot 0-10 for Clare against a Wexford team who had ace attacker Ciaran Lyng sent-off.
Colm Collins saw his Clare team move into a 0-8 to 0-3 lead at the break as they adjusted quickly to life in Division 3 after gaining promotion last year. The dismissal of Lyng after the break was a major setback for Wexford.
With captain Gary Brennan impressing at midfield, Clare dominated and Burke caught fire as he struck 1-2. Burke has played championship for Dublin while he won an AIB All-Ireland club title with Kilmacud Crokes in 2009. He is eligible for Clare under the parentage rule with his father originally from Quilty and his mother is from Lahinch.
Armagh had to come from behind to prevent a Munster clean sweep in the division against Tipperary at the Athletic Grounds. Jamie Clarke, who grabbed a goal from a first-half penalty, notched two vital late points as Armagh levelled and then claimed a 2-8 to 0-13 victory.
Armagh were ahead 1-4 to 0-4 at the interval thanks to a goal from a penalty by Clarke. Tipperary suffered a major setback when Robbie Kiely was dismissed in the second-half yet they kicked on thanks to points from Conor Sweeney and Colin O’Riordan to draw level.
Shields fired home Armagh’s second goal as they went ahead 2-5 to 0-8 but Tipperary strung together five points without reply with O’Riordan and Stephen O’Brien showing the way. They looked on the cusp of a famous win before Armagh hit three late points to snatch the spoils for the Kieran McGeeney-managed side.
John Brudair’s Limerick team saw off the challenge of Sligo by two points in Kilmallock. Corner-forward Mikey Lyons was instrumental to their success as he shot 0-6 while captain Seanie Buckley chipped in with 0-3.
Limerick were ahead 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval but an Adrian Marren goal helped Sligo go in front 1-8 to 0-8 during the second-half. The sending-off of Brian Curran wounded Sligo and Limerick took over to claim a three-point success.
Last night Fermanagh comfortably saw off Louth by 0-16 to 0-7. Fermanagh started well with two early Sean Quigley points putting his side in front. Eoin O’Connor and Ryan Burns responded for Louth before two further Quigley points restored Fermanagh’s advantage.
The two sides swapped further scores as Fermanagh went into the break leading 0-09 to 0-05. Fermanagh were even better in the second half as they held Louth to just two points and Quigley was again instrumental as the hosts eased to a by nine point win.
Results
Division 3 football league
Clare 1-16 Wexford 0-5
Armagh 2-8 Tipperary 0-13
Limerick 0-14 Sligo 1-9
Fermanagh 0-16 Louth 0-7
