At the end of the first quarter the scores stood at 0-3 to 0-2 and it looked like this game would be a closely contested affair with Clonmore giving as good as they got and even missing a good goal chance.
But it all went wrong in the second quarter with K/C scoring 3-5 unanswered and the game was over as a contest at half-time:- 3-7 to 0-2. Another K/C goal immediately after half-time made sure there was only going to be one winner.
Clonmore struggled to win possession against K/C's big fielders Daithi Byrne and Pauric Hickey who provided a constant supply of ball to their full-forward line where Richie Sinnott gave an exhibition of point scoring off his trusty left boot. Rolling back the years, the 34 year old former county man Sinnott outfoxed a number of markers to score about 10 points, including 5 frees, some from huge distances, and set up a a couple of goals.
Clonmore showed commendable spirit to battle on in the face of adversity and late goals from Paddy Gahan and Con Murphy along with points by Adam, Con, Niall (4,3f) and Enda (2) brought the score down to 4-12 to 2-10 at the end of normal time. But K/C finished the stronger and scored 1-1 in injury time to leave 12 points between the teams – 5-13 to 2-10.
Team: David Mulvany, Andrew Byrne, Anthony Byrne, Willie Byrne, David McCarney, Pauric Lawlor, Larry Doyle, Enda McGrath (0-2), Shane McGrath (0-1), Paddy Gahan (1-0), Con Murphy (1-1), Darren McGrath (0-1), Adam Byrne (0-1), John McGrath, Niall Humphries (0-4,3f). Subs: Josh Bowes for Shane (inj, 20min), Owen Coleman for Pauric (BC, 25min), Tom Pollard for Adam (40mins).
Ref: David Hughes (Bagenalstown).
PHOTO: Enda McGrath kept battling to the end against K/C and scored two points on the 49th and 50th minutes to spark a mini-revival.
