Clare defeat Sligo to march into last 12 of All-Ireland SFC

These are heady times for Clare footballers and achieving consecutive victories in the qualifier system for the first time sees them into the last twelve in the race for the All-Ireland SFC title after a merited 2-17 to 1-13 win over Sligo at Markievicz Park.

The disappointment of their Munster SFC loss to Kerry has been eased by good qualifier wins over Laois and Sligo and manager Colm Collins said it was a huge boost to football in the county to be still in contention when so many other fancied contenders have gone by the wayside.

Once again a strong second-half display was key to their success but, as they showed when winning promotion and the Division Three league title earlier this year, their traditional brand of football can open up teams.

And with seven different players finding the target - and four more narrowly missing the range - they have plenty of options when they go forward.

The platform to this success came from the dominance of midfielders Gary Brennan and Cathal O'Connor, while a successful penalty in the opening half against the wind was also crucial.

That came after 27 minutes just when it seemed that Sligo, having opened up a 0-7 to 0-3 lead, were about to pull away.

But a lofted effort from David Tubridy was not dealt with and when the full-forward chased the breaking ball he was fouled by Neil Ewing.

Tubridy, one of Clare's most experienced players, slotted the penalty into the bottom right corner.

Not even the loss of dual star Podge Collins a few minutes later to a black card could impact on the Banner County and with wind advantage to come, they were well positioned when they only trailed by 0-9 to 1-4 at the break.

Mark Breheny, Sligo's most seasoned campaigner extended their lead to a goal four minutes after the restart but that was as good as it for the home fans in the crowd of 3,269.

Brennan and O'Connor's dominance in midfield saw ample ball go into the Clare attack and Tubridy, teenage sub Keelan Sexton and O'Connor all pointed to tie the match at 0-10 to 1-7 after 45 minutes.

A minute later, Tubridy put them ahead for the first time and they never looked back after that.

O'Connor got another point and while the siege was briefly lifted by Adrian McIntyre, the response from Clare was superb, reeling off four points in succession.

Clare sealed the win ten minutes from time when Brennan worked his way into the left and went for the kill to get the goal which wrapped it all up.

Sub Pat Hughes, back from injury, pulled back a goal for Sligo but by then their interest in the 2016 championship was finished.

Clare: J Hayes; K Hartnett, S Hickey, M McMahon; J Malone, G Kelly, D Ryan; G Brennan (1-0), C O'Connor (0-4); C O'Dea, P Collins, S Collins; E Cleary (0-5, 0-2f), D Tubridy (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-2f), P Lillis (0-1).

Subs: K Sexton (0-3) for P Collins (black card, 30), S McGrath (0-1) for Tubridy (61), E Coughlan for Lillis (63), P Burke for Malone (66), S Malone for Cleary (67), D Nagle for S Collins (69).

Sligo: A Devaney; E Flanagan, K McDonnell, D Maye; Brendan Egan , G O'Kelly-Lynch, Keelan Cawley; J Hynes, A McIntyre (0-1); N Ewing, M Breheny (0-3, 0-2f), N Murphy (0-3, 0-1f); Kyle Cawley (0-1), Brian Egan (0-1), A Marren (0-3, 0-2f).

Subs: P Hughes (1-0) for Hynes (47), C Henry (0-1) for Marren (black card, 66), N Gaughan for K Cawley (67).

Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).