Carlow Credit Union Football League Div 1 By Eamonn Byrne
Clonmore 2-16 Tinryland 1-11
Defending league champions Tinryland are still pointless after this round 4 game against Clonmore played in Rathcrogue on Good Friday. In similar circumstances to their earlier league games against Eire Og and Rathvilly Tinryland enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half only to fade away after losing several key players in the 2nd 30 minutes.
Clonmore opened the scoring after only 30 seconds with a Dylan Doyle conversion which was matched by a Jamie Doyle Tinryland point from a free 2 minutes later after a foul on his brother Bobby. Both sides played attractive football for the remainder of the half with Tinryland edging matters after a Jamie Walker goal in the 15th minute following excellent play by Lorcan O’Connor, Rory Doyle and Danny Moran. Clonmore were always a threat when they went forward, and their full forward line of Tom Pollard, Daire Byrne and Dylan Doyle punished Tinryland throughout the half. A highlight of the opening half was a brilliant two pointer from one of Tinryland’s liveliest forwards Cormac O’Brien while Clonmore centre back Anthony McDonald also got in on the scoring act with an excellent point in the 20th minute. Half time score Tinryland 1-8 Clonmore 0-7.
The 2nd half was only seconds old when Clonmore made their intentions known with a brilliant two-pointer from Dylan Doyle, but Tinryland now minus Co. panellist Paddy Regan responded with further points from Sean Murphy and Lorcan O’Connor who also shortly departed the scene due to Co U20 duty. Clonmore then began to turn the screw and a goal from Enda McGrath reduced the margin to the minimum before the 2nd 2 pointer for the Wicklow border side arrived in the 36th minute from the lively Dylan Doyle. Both sides then began emptying the benches with Sam Byrne, Cathal Purcell, McDara Deane, Adam Mullen and Eoghan Hosey entering the fray for Tinryland with Clonmore introducing Paddy Gahan, Con Murphy and Darragh Cullen. Mid-way through the 2nd half a scrambled goal for the winners stretched their advantage to 4 points and Tinryland’s cause was not helped minutes later when referee James Foley issued a black card to one of Tinryland’s key players Jamie Doyle.
The winners had excellent players in Anthony McDonald, Eoin Connolly, Billy Lawlor, Luke Connolly, Daire Byrne and Dylan Doyle. Tinryland players who caught the eye were Michael Hosey, Danny Moran, (Paddy Regan, and Lorcan O’Connoer) until substituted), Cormac O’Brien and Mikey Byrne.
Tinryland will be back in action at home to Palatine on Thursday next 9th April in a game that will double as the Andy Murphy shield final in aid of Carlow Hospice. Clonmore will be at home to Rathvilly in their next fixture on Friday next 10th April.
Clonmore: Jordan Kane, Matt Cullen, Shane Murphy, Cormac Connolly, Conal Cullen, Anthony McDonald 0-1, Rory Maguire, Eoin Connolly 0-1, Enda McGrath 1-0, Billy Lawlor, Dara Connolly, Tom Pollard 0-1, Daire Byrne 1-1, Dylan Doyle 0-11. Subs: Paddy Gahan 0-1, Con Murphy, Darragh Cullen.
Tinryland: Chris Townsend, Michael Hosey, Danny Moran, Cian McGuire, Rory Doyle, Mark Mullen, Lorcan O’Connor 0-2, Paddy Regan, Sean Murphy 0-1, Mikey Byrne, Cormac O’Brien 0-3, Jamie Walker 1-0, Bobby Doyle 0-1, Shay McCullough, Jamie Doyle 0-4. Subs: Sam Byrne, Cathal Purcell, MacDara Deane, Eoghan Hosey, Adam Mullen.
Referee James Foley Kilbride
