Despite the set back of conceding a goal after just 4 minutes, Clonmore stuck to their task and eventually ran out comfortable winners against a strong Railyard team that beat us at home last year.
The lads played a fast interpassing game, using their speed and fitness to outwit their bigger opponents. A string of excellent points from Con Murphy, Adam Byrne, David McCarney Enda and John McGrath sent us in at half-time leading by 0-8 to 1-2.
With Sean Doyle and Shane Murphy outstanding in the centre of the defence, the trend continued in the second half and further points from Con, Gavin Byrne and two crackers from the evergreen John McGrath put us into a seemingly unassailable position at 0-14 to 1-2 on 45 minutes. But having flown the flag for football in Kilkenny for many years, Railyard are a proud club and were not going to give up easily on their home patch. In the next 10 minutes they kicked four unanswered points to make it 0-14 to 1-6 on 55 minutes and reduce our lead to 5 points. With time against them, they started to go for goals, but the Clonmore backs tackled strongly and held them out. A last minute point by the lively Larry Doyle sealed a well deserved win and put us in good spirits for the crunch game AWAY to Ballinabranna on Friday, 29 May, at 8pm (note change of date, time and venue) , followed by the Fighting Cocks away on Sunday, 29 May at 7pm.
Team: Paddy Byrne, Andrew Byrne, Sean Doyle, Willie Byrne, David McCarney (0-1), Shane Murphy, Larry Doyle (0-2), Gavin Byrne (0-1), Jordan Kane, Paddy Gahan, Con Murphy (0-5, 3f), Alan Humphries, Enda McGrath (0-1), John McGrath (0-3), Adam Byrne (0-2), Sub: Martin Byrne for Alan (inj, 20mins).
Other SFL Div 2 results: Grange 0-13 St Andrews 3-11, Fighting Cocks 0-16 Kilbride 0-6.
PHOTO: Adam Byrne is easing himself back to the form that made him Clonmore's "Young Player of the Year" in 2014 and he contributed two valuable points in the win over Railyard.
