Limerick Soccer - Clarke strikes again for Janesboro

JANESBORO captain Shane Clarke led by example to guide his side to 3-0 victory over Carew Park in the Lawson Cup final on Sunday afternoon.

The Boro striker capped a memorable season by scoring twice and setting up a third as Janesboro defeated Carew Park in the final of the most famous of Limerick competitions.

Clarke’s brace brings his total for the season to 58 goals (32 of those coming in the PremieR League). He is a special player and gave another display of his range of talents on Sunday.

While Clarke will deservedly take the plaudits the display in the middle of the park of B team player Adrian Healy also deserves huge praise.

He broke up everything that came his way and never allowed Carew get into their stride. Lee O’Mara had a fine game at the heart of the defence while Shane Waters also impressed greatly with an unselfish display.

Carew Park looked a tired bunch of players and never got into the swing of the game. Asuusual John Boyle battled gamely and could not be faulted.

Captain Mark Keane tried to urge on his charges but it just wasn’t working for the Carew.

John Connery and Jon Grant got little joy from a resolute Boro defence but continued trying to the final whistle.

The game itself proved rather disappointing, only springing to life for the third quarter. Too much hype rarely lives up to it’s billing and Sunday’s game proved the point.

Real chances in the opening half were at a premium.

In the opening minute Aled Harkin’s free kick found two Boro attackers unmarked at the back post but they failed to punish such lax marking.

On the half hour mark Declan Nash smacked the crossbar from just six yards after a flick on by Clarke and in the later stages of the half Healy let fly with a thunderbolt from 30 yards that was only inches off target.

Carew started the second half well with John Connery hitting the side netting from close range and then forcing a super save from Glasheen at the expense of a corner from which Grant fired inches over the top.

Janesboro stood firm and opened the scoring on 55 minutes. Healy began the move with a ball wide to Waters and his delivery was knocked into the path of a grateful Clarke who blazed home from 12 yards.

It was 2-0 minutes later when Conor Lynch (winning his fourth Lawson Cup medal) put the ball through for Clarke to round the keeper before scoring his second.

The goal of the game came with ten minutes remaining. Clarke nutmegged a defender of the end line and with the outside of his right boot put a superb ball to the back post where the inrunning Shane Waters finished a sublime move that was applauded by supporters of both teams.

To their credit Carew kept trying and scored a mere consolation goal when Robert Brock forced the ball over the line with three minutes remaining but the result was never in doubt.

Janesboro will be delighted to finish the season on a high. After a disastrous start to the season they have been playing catch up for the remainder.

With Shane O’Hanlon and Co back in charge next season you can be sure Boro will be in the mix for major honours again next season.

Carew Park need to get this result out of their system.

They have two games left in the Premier League and two victories will see them crowned champions.

Their players are tired but a light training routine this week should prepare them to get their side over the line.

JANESBORO - Darren Glasheen; David Donnan; Aled Harkin; Pat McGarry; Lee O’Mara; Declan Nash; Adrian Healy; Aidan Hurley; Shane Waters; Shane Clarke; Conor Lynch. Sub: Lou Quigley

CAREW PARK - Gordon Stewart; Gary Griffin; Francis Kett; Mark Slattery; Mark Keane; Brian Aherne; John Boyle; Pat Boyle; Jon Somers; Jonathon Grant; John Connery. Subs: Cyril Maher; Stephen Grant; Robert Brock