Connemara derby goes way of Clifden in one-sided final

Clifden 3-18

Clonbur 0-11

Patrick Flaherty in Pearse Stadium

Clifden moved a step closer to a return to the Intermediate ranks with an emphatic victory over neighbours Clonbur, hitting 3-14 from play to clinch the 2020 West Board title by 16 points.

Goals at pivotal moments in the first-half from John Conneely and Emmet Moran sapped the momentum away from the reigning West Board champions, before cruising to a date with St Brendan’s with a second-half performance that saw them outscore their opponents 1-9 to 0-3.

After drawing in their earlier championship meeting, this Connemara derby was expected to be a tight affair, a pointed free apiece from Ger Gibbons and Shane O’Donnell respectively leaving the sides all square after five minutes.

The tactics of both teams became clear early on, with Clifden tending to go through the phases while keeping possession for prolonged periods; whereas Clonbur sided with a more direct approach, although in both cases the running games of the forwards was earning frees with Henry O’Toole and Ger Gibbons doing the damage for Clifden; and Ronan Varley impressing for Clonbur.

County star Declan Kyne had been deployed around the middle for much of the championship; however he was in a more defensive role, man-marking Ger Gibbons early on, and his ability to set up attacks was a huge loss for Clonbur.

The men in red and white began to take hold in midfield, clipping over three points in a row, yet it was a dubious goal that created the first significant gap between the teams.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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