McGrath hits 1-4 as Clonmore bounce back after opening round disappointment
Clonmore's Shane McGrath is tackled by Naomh Eoin's Ger Kavanagh but still ended with 1-4 Photo: Pat Ahern
Clonmore atoned for last week’s defeat to Ballon when they had a surprisingly easy win in this Intermediate Football Championship Group 2 Round 2 tie at Netwatch Cullen Park on Friday.
They dominated the first half and created a number of scoring chances before Jake Hickey put them in front with a point from play. Naomh Eoin keeper, Kyle Foley, had to be on his toes and he did well when spreading himself to deny Shane McGrath from close range at the expense of a 45 which was not converted.
Somewhat against the run of play, Declan Nolan equalised for Naomh Eoin but Clonmore eventually made their pressure tell when Luke Connolly and Tom Pollard raising a white flag each.
The goal was coming but it didn’t arrive until the 15th minute when McGrath was put through at the scoreboard end of the ground and this time Foley had no chance.
The eventual winners hunted down any loose ball which came their way while they put pressure on their opponents when they had the ball. A punch clear by Foley was pounced on by Enda McGrath and once more the green flag was waving.
Coming towards the end of the half, Naomh Eoin rallied and Foley landed a two-point free when Clonmore failed to keep a requisite three defenders inside their own half. Adam Kenny’s point meant Clonmore went in to the second half leading 2-5 to 0-4.
The second half failed to ignite and when Paddy Gahan and McGrath fired over two more Clonmore points, Naomh Eoin were only playing for a modicum of pride. Even then the Myshall side failed to achieve that. After a brief flurry, they found themselves outclassed. They looked like a side who hadn’t played together before as they struggled to put a number of passes together.
Clonmore could hardly believe how easy it was becoming. They could afford to give the ball away and still get it back without too much effort. Substitute, Conal Cullen scored two points while centre-back, Matt Cullen, also featured with a neat point and another goal eventually followed. This time a move down the right saw play transferred across the by-line and Tom Pollard forced the ball across the line despite the best efforts of the Naomh Eoin keeper.
It was all too much for Naomh Eoin. For Clonmore redemption was their lot on the night but they still have a lot to work on.
S McGrath 1-4 (1f), T Pollard 1-1, E McGrath 1-0, L Connolly, A Kelly, C Cullen 0-2 each, P Gahan, B Lawlor, M Cullen, J Hickey 0-1 each.
K Foley (1-2ptf) 0-2, A Kenny, D Nolan, D Dunne, JM Nolan, P Abbey, B Nolan 0-1 each.
Jordan Kane; Cormac Connolly, Anthony Kealy McDonald, Shane Murphy; Billy Lawlor, Matt Cullen, Rory McGuire; David Mulvaney, Luke Connolly; Paddy Gahan, Enda McGrath, Tom Pollard; Jake Hickey, Jordan Tallon, Shane McGrath. Subs: Conal Cullen for McGrath (40), Eoin Connolly for Mulvaney (45), Aaron Kelly for Pollard (54), Pollard for Gahan (58).
Kyle Foley; Jamie Behan, Diarmaid Deacon, Ger Kavanagh; Diego Dunne, Peter Abbey, Declan Nolan; Paddy Doyle, Michael Kavanagh; Ciaran Abbey, Adam Kenny, Colm Beck; Cian Quirke, John Michael Nolan, James Smithers. Subs: Michael Nolan for C Abbey (35), Ben Nolan for M Kavanagh (51).
Eoghan Evesson (Asca)
