Clonown have no answer as Guilfoyle grabs treble

CLONOWN Rovers' nightmare start to the Combined Counties League continued apace at Tormey Villas last Sunday, as they slumped to a heavy home defeat against a ruthless Clara Town B. Four goals from centre-forward Paddy Guilfoyle, including a couple of controversial strikes, helped Clara cruise to a fully deserved victory here, and Clonown now have problems after losing all four of their opening league matches in Division 3B. Among Guilfoyle's goals was an absolutely stunning effort just a minute into the second half, which made the score 0-4. But his fourth goal (Clara's fifth) was fortunate, given that Clonown defender Niall Shine was harshly adjudged to have handled in his own penalty area, with Guilfoyle wrapping up a good day's work by convincingly slotting home the resulting spotkick. Clara were always in command here, but their third goal also contained an element of controversy. Guilfoyle tapped the ball into an empty net, with Clonown 'keeper Lee Gaffey, who had saved Guilfoyle's initial effort, lying injured in the penalty box. Clonown players and management felt Guilfoyle's actions, to carry on playing despite Gaffey's clear discomfort, were somewhat unsporting, but it was difficult to see what option Guilfoyle had. The home side also felt Guilfoyle was in an offside position before breaking through on Gaffey's goal, but referee Kevin Ronan flatly dismissed the claims. Unlike eccentric Italian attacker Paolo di Canio - who famously caught the ball instead of scoring into an empty net against Everton in 2001, when Everton 'keeper Paul Gerrard lay injured - Guilfoyle chose to carry on playing, which he was entitled to do. But regardless of this particular incident, Clara were going to run out clear and deserving winners in any case, and it's doubtful anyone associated with Clonown would dispute that statement. Clara played the better football in the opening 20 minutes, but could only manufacture half-chances, until the lively Noel Buckley, playing on the right wing, stung the hands of Gaffey with an excellent drive on 25 minutes. But within three minutes, Clara were in front. Ronan Guilfoyle, Clara's most impressive midfielder, played a delightful ball in behind Clonown's right-back, and Graham Kavanagh burst onto the ball. Racing into the penalty area, Kavanagh convincingly steered the ball past Gaffey to break the deadlock in the 28th minute. Joey Deehan then went close for Clara with a lovely free kick that curled narrowly wide of Gaffey's goal, before the Offaly men stretched the lead ten minutes before half-time. Again, Ronan Guilfoyle played a key role. He slotted the ball through the home defence, picking out Paddy Guilfoyle, whose shot was saved by Gaffey. The rebound fell kindly for Guilfoyle and he thrashed the ball into the net. Clonown briefly found a way back into the game, and forced a number of corner kicks, but unfortunately they couldn't create solid goalscoring chances. And the home side's plight worsened when Guilfoyle netted Clara's slightly controversial third goal two minutes prior to the interval. There was nothing controversial or fortunate about Guilfoyle's hat-trick goal a minute after the restart. Guilfoyle expertly pulled away from his marker and raced into the penalty area before driving a powerful shot past Gaffey and into the top corner of the net. It was a most brilliant finish that gave the Clonown 'keeper absolutely no chance whatsoever. Gaffey then produced a wonderful save to deny Ian Monaghan from point-blank range. Clonown tried a couple of long range efforts, but still couldn't really threaten Clara netminder Myles Bracken. Gaffey made another very fine stop to deny Noel Buckley, but was helpless as Paddy Guilfoyle got his fourth, and Clara's fifth, from the penalty spot in the 64th minute. The home 'keeper again proved an excellent shot-stopper by denying Guilfoyle a fifth goal, and Clonown kept going until the end and got a consolation goal through John Lennon late on. However, they were firmly outclassed throughout the contest, and look to be facing a very testing season. CLONOWN ROVERS: Lee Gaffey; Alan Shine, Shane Galvin, Dermot Dillon, Denis Gavin, Ronan Gavin, Stephen Flynn, Niall Shine, John Lennon, Sean Scorr, Andy Murray. Subs: Chris McCabe for Murray (HT), Michael Shine for A Shine (65 mins), Mark Shine for Galvin (65), Darragh Golden for Scorr (70). CLARA TOWN B: Myles Bracken; Robert Moran, Keith Coughlan, Paul McDonagh, Joey Deehan, Ronan Guilfoyle, Graham Kavanagh, Paul Gilmour, Paddy Guilfoyle, Ian Monaghan, Noel Buckley. REFEREE: Kevin Ronan.