NFL DIVISION FOUR Clare 1-7 Longford 0-8: THE CLARE footballers recorded a two-point win over wasteful Longford in yesterday's Division Four clash at Cusack Park, Ennis.

Over the 70 minutes, Glen Ryan’s charges shot 16 wides, eight in each half, to hand Clare only their third win in this season’s league campaign. Clare finished the game with only 14 men as corner forward Alan Clohessey got a second yellow card in injury-time.

Clare led 1-6 to 0-4 at the break, the game’s only goal came in injury-time when man-of-the-match Gary Brennan fisted a long delivery by Kevin Hartnett to the Longford net.

In the second period Clare only managed one solitary score, a David Tubridy pointed 40-metre free, but poor shooting by the Longford attack and stout defending by the Clare backs, ensure the home win.

Gordon Kelly at centre back for Clare was rock solid and others to shine in defence were Kevin Hartnett and Marty McMahon. Longford were far too reliant on corner-forward Seán McCormack for scores.

CLARE: Joe Hayes; B Duggan, L Healy, M McMahon; K Hartnett, G Kelly, S McNeilis; C OConnor, G Brennan (1-1, 0-1 free); M Tubridy, John Hayes, M Foran; A Clohessy, N Browne, D Tubridy (0-6, 0-4 frees). Subs: S Brennan for OConnor (inj 18 mins), E Lyons for Foran (34), D O'Neill for Lyons (48), D Blake for John Hayes (56 mins ), D O'Connor for M Tubridy (64 mins).

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; S Mulligan, D Masterson, N Farrell; M Brady, B McElvanney; D Barden, P Barden, N Mulligan (0-1); D McElligott, P Dowd, S McCormack (0-6, 0-3 frees). Subs: B Kavanagh for Dowd (34), F McGee (0-1) for Mulligan (43 mins), K Diffley for McElvanney inj. (56 mins), P Foy for Masterson (58), K Mulligan for McElligott (69 mins).

Referee: L Devaney(Mayo).