Clara U16 footballers had a hard fought win over Edenderry at sun splashed Pairc Bhrid on Monday night. Needing a win to keep their hopes alive in this year's championship they rose to the challenge posed by a much fancied Edenderry team and eventually ran out deserving winners.
Despite missing some scorable frees and wasting a lot of possession through poor passing and over-carrying they went in ahead by a couple of points at the break on a very warm summer's evening.
Edenderry came out in the second half with all guns blazing and with Clara too often getting caught in possession Edenderry took advantage and blasted in two goals and then added a few more points to put themselves back into the driving seat.
They were four points ahead and looking dangerous. However with exit from this year's championship staring them in the face this group of young Clara footballers dug deep and switching to a more direct style and playing long ball into the full forward line paid handsome dividends.
Gary Keegan smashed home two great goals followed by some fine points from the hard working Joey Deehan, Darren Scanlan and Darren Coughlan. Edenderry tried to respond but the Clara defence was in uncompromising mood with some great performance in particular in the full back line with Richie Slammon and John Ledwith outstanding.
But this was really a good all round team performance particularly in the last quarter when all hands were needed on deck. They now face Ferbane/Belmont in the next round where they should try and build on this performance. There is plenty of room for improvement but with the right attitude and some hard work in training this team has the potential to be real contenders in this year's championship.
Team; Paul Kelly, Richie Slammon, John Ledwith, John Flattery, Graham Guilfoyle, Caomhan Sheridan, David Minnock, Andrew Cushen, Darren Scanlan, Danny Newman, Gary Keegan, Ciaran Lynam, Joey Deehan, Darren Coughlan, Henry Mitchell. Subs Used Aaron Ngo