The Junior team were not so lucky this time, defeated away to Ballyea 2-14 to 0-15.
Clare Cup: Broadford v Éire Óg – Sunday 26th April
Broadford launched the offensive from the very start of the match, sending the ball wide from play twice and once from a free in the first four minutes as they tried to ramp up an early lead. Éire Óg tried to stake their own claim though, with the first point at the five minute mark. Broadford continued to fight back claiming a point and then a free sent over the bar from Daren Chaplin. Broadford and Éire Óg chased the score line each raising the white flag alternately. Fifteen minutes in to the second half, three players tumbled like skittles, two red and then one green leading to a free for Broadford that was taken by Cathal Chaplin. The free took a low trajectory and was prevented from slipping under to bar by the Éire Óg goalie who knocked the ball back in to play, only for it to be sent back at him and over the bar within a few seconds. Broadford then built on their momentum and points from Cathal Chaplin, Diarmuid O’Brien from the side line in front of the spectators and Cathal Chaplin from the half-way line helped to put Broadford four points ahead. Éire Óg responded with another point. A long ball up the field dropped short of the Éire Óg goal but was intercepted by a fine catch from Diarmuid Moloney who then sent it over the bar. The last ten minutes saw a mix of frees, wides and points; mostly in Broadford’s favour. Half time left Broadford with their sights on their first win. Half-time score 0-10 to 0-06.
Éire Óg was fired up from the start of the second half. Determined to turn the game around, they scored two points in the first two minutes. Stiofan McMahon took the ball on a solo run from around Broadford’s 45m line and went for the goal only for it to be blocked by the goalie. After a further point for Broadford, Éire Óg went on the rampage with another four points taking the Town in to the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the match. Tensions were high though, both on and off the field, with a disputed side-line cut awarded to Broadford. Éire Óg’s lead was limited to one point though; thanks to two attempts to put the ball over the bar going wide. Broadford responded quickly with three points in less than three minutes, including two from Craig Chaplin. With just two points between them there was everything to play for and the score line was quickly levelled. Niall Moloney narrowly missed a goal from a difficult angle but Broadford was ahead again in the 21’st minute. Éire Óg was not phased and continued to fight back. Shortly after a great save by the Broadford Goalie Cian O’ Brien, Éire Óg scored the first goal of the match taking them ahead again by two points. Play continued and a free taken by Darren Chaplin, after Stiofan went down from a bad tackle, earned the Broadford lads another point. Another point to Broadford in less than 90 seconds and the score was level yet again. With the ball in play at the Broadford end of the field, Stiofan McMahon had another great solo run, eventually sending the ball to Diarmuid Moloney just short of the square but Diarmuid’s attempt to raise the green flag was blocked by the goalie. Tensions were high, scores were level and there were less than four minutes to go. After a great game so far with Broadford never letting Éire Óg get the better of them for too long, a defeat in the last minutes of the game would have been crushing. Diarmuid O’Brien and Stiofan McMahon however answered the calls from the Broadford supporters with Stiofan scoring a goal for Broadford following a fine pass from Diarmuid in the 26th minute. Éire Óg was awarded one more free quickly afterwards and that got them another point. Broadford, with victory in their sites, responded with their final shot over the bar. Éire Óg had the opening point of match and then they had the last. However, it was not enough and Broadford won their first match of the competition. Final score 1-18 to 1-16.