Palatine make it three wins from three
Palatine's matchwinner Josh Egan solos at pace at the Clonmore defence Photo: Pat Ahern
While both these sides knew their destiny before the throw-in, there was still a lot to play for in this third round senior football championship round 3 group 1 tie at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday.
Clonmore were looking for a performance in preparation for their relegation clash against Tinryland while Palatine were already in the semi-finals. The reflective performances reflected this which was a quiet enough first half.
Palatine took a 0-3 to 0-1 lead in 11 minutes but Clonmore struck for a goal when Joe Bulmer fisted in when Eoin Connolly floated in a high ball. The lead only lasted minutes as Bryan McMahon came in from the right at the O’Hanrahan end and fired home. The same player added a point but Clonmore had the final say of the half with points from Oisin Doyle (free) and Billy Lawlor to tie the scores at 1-4 each.
The third quarter only simmered but Clonmore got a huge boost when a hopeful delivery into the small square from Luke Connolly ended up in the back of the net. Two points from Jamie Kenny helped resist the Clonmore effort but last year’s intermediate champions still went three points up when Tom Pollard and Shane Murphy bisected the Palatine points.
The county senior football champions of two years ago hit back and when Shane O’Neill was allowed through he found the bottom right hand corner of the net. Palatine were not finished and another attack saw Josh Egan punch the winning point to break Clonmore hopes of a first senior championship victory this season.
S O’Neill 1-2, B McMahon 1-1 (1f), J Kenny, J Egan 0-2 each, B Cassidy, A Kehoe 0-1 each.
R Bulmer 1-1, L Connolly 1-0, T Pollard 0-2, E McGrath, O Doyle (1f), B Lawlor, S Murphy, A Kelly 0-1 each.
Craig Kearney; Conor O’Doherty, Cian Cashman, Gavin Healy; Jack Deacy, Cillian Duff, Jamie Kenny; Jason Kane, Finbarr Kavanagh; Bryan McMahon, Shane O’Neill, Tomas Kenny; Andrew Kehoe, Brandon Cassidy, Josh Egan. Subs: Brian Broderick for O’Doherty (blood 4), Conor Lawlor for T Kenny (44), James Cranny for Kehoe (44), Broderick for Kane (45), Kehoe for McMahon (58).
Jordan Kane; Cormac Connolly, Anthony Kealy McDonald, Rory Maguire; David Mulvany, Billy Lawlor, Shane Murphy; Enda McGrath, Luke Connolly; Rob Bulmer, Eoin Connolly, Paddy Gahan; Jake Hickey, Oisin Doyle, Tom Pollard. Subs: Aaron Kelly for E Connolly (38), Dylan Doyle for L Connolly (45).
James Foley (Kilbride).
