Clonmore GFC

Clonmore were firing on all cylinders from the start and a Sean Deay point within seconds of the throw-in was quickly followed by a clever Tom Pollard goal when he volleyed a loose ball over the keeper’s head into the back of the net.  With Shane McGrath and Robert Bulmer to the fore, we raced into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead after 11 minutes with further points from Tom, Shock and a beauty from Paddy Gahan.

Then came the Water Break and it seemed to break Clonmore’s momentum. This Fenagh team is powered by players who won back-to-back Minor Championships in 2017 & 18 so they have quality players throughout the team. On the re-start, they lifted their game and quickly scored two goals to wipe out Clonmore’s 6 point lead. The speed of the Fenagh forwards and their swift interchanges seemed to bamboozle the Clonmore backs and only for a few timely interceptions by Shane Murphy and Sean Moran could have been in for more goals.

Tom Pollard stopped the rot to put us back in the lead briefly before Fenagh’s Jack Treacy levelled the scores on half-time – 1-5 to 2-2.

The second half mirrored the first with Clonmore again dominating the early exchanges and points from Tom (2) and Owen Coleman (2) gave us a three point lead on 40 minutes – 1-9 to 2-3.  But again, Fenagh took over after the Water Break and scored 1-4 to put themselves into a three point lead on 50 minutes – 1-10 to 3-7.

At this stage the Clonmore Mentors sprung impact subs Con Murphy, Niall Humphries, Billy Lawlor and David Mulvany. The substitutes had the desired effect and turned the game back in Clonmore’s favour. Three excellent points from the trusty boot of Con, the last one 5 minutes into injury time, levelled the game. Niall Humphries had a half-chance to win the game with the last kick but the ball skidded off his boot and wide.

This game had four distinct quarters where dominance swung from one team to the other.  After such a good start, it was disappointing not to win but with ten minutes to go, we were three points down and staring a First Round defeat in the face. So it is a tribute to the resilience and spirit of the team that they rescued a draw from the jaws of defeat, especially as it was such a young team with seven of last years U-20s seeing game time and three of last year’s Minors making their Championship debuts, Sean Moran, Robert Bulmer and Billy Lawlor  - all acquitting themselves very well.

We should look at the positives – 1-14 would win most games - and if we can tighten up the backs we can look forward to the next game with the Fighting Cocks with confidence.

Clonmore: Jordan Kane, David McCarney (0-1), Shane Murphy, Sean Moran, Paddy Gahan (0-1), Enda McGrath, Cormac Connolly, Anthony Byrne (0-1), Sean Deay (0-1), Daniel Quigley, Shane McGrath (0-1), Luke Connolly, Tom Pollard (1-4), Owen Coleman (0-2, 1f), Robert Bulmer.

Subs: Con Murphy (0-3, 2f) for Shane McGrath (39mins), Billy Lawlor for Daniel (41m), Niall Humphries for Tom Pollard (50m), David Mulvany for Sean Deay (50m), Rory Maguire for (55m).

Fenagh: Declan Murphy, Luke Bradley, Tommy Bric, Jack O’Connor, James Cummins, Jamie McCabe, Pat Hickey, Mark Foley (1-1), Keagan Bradley, Sean Smithers, Michael Murphy, Jack Treacy (0-3), Cormac Lomax, Dylan Bradley (1-4,1f), Jack Rowan (1-0).

Subs: Dion Wall for Pat Hickey, Conor Treacy.

Referee: Billy Fanning (Ballon).

PHOTO: Last year's Young Player of the Year and U-20 Captain, Tom Pollard, continued his good form with 1-4 against Fenagh in the IFC First Round. 

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