MFC: Slaney Rangers 0-10 Clonmore 0-10

In an exciting game the Minors played theirs hearts out to earn a well deserved draw against their physically bigger and stronger opponents from Tullow & Grange.

While we can consider ourselves unlucky not to have won the game with Rangers only scoring the equaliser in injury time, it must be remembered that they bombarded the Clonmore goal in the last quarter and it was only courageous defending and at least three brilliant saves from Paddy Byrne that kept our goal intact. They also hit the crossbar with a shot for a goal.

Clonmore got off to a good start with a point from the lively Jason Byrne, Rangers then took over for a while and went  0-3 to 0-1 ahead mainly from frees. The Clonmore forwards were always dangerous when we got the ball up to them and Gary Byrne was unlucky not to bag a goal or two. His brother Adam was also in good form and kicked a couple of tidy points before Dale McNamara hit a purple patch kicking four great points in a row.

Clonmore led at half-time by 0-6 to 0-5 and we put in a great third quarter to extend the lead to 0-10 to 0-5, with points from Dale, Adam (2) and the all-action Conor McCarney. From there on it was all hands to the pumps as Rangers piled on the pressure but they found the Clonmore backs in no mood to compromise and Paddy Byrne in awesome form in goal. He saved three certain goals, diving acrobatically to turn a shot heading for the top corner around the post and later made two point blank saves when it looked like the forward had to score.

Overall this was a great display of skill and determination that all 17 players can be very proud of. Well done to the players and mentors for qualifying for the semi-final where they will probably meet Palatine.

Team: Paddy Byrne, Joe Hickey, Andrew Byrne, Larry Doyle, David Doyle, Jordan Kane, Sean Doyle, Anthony Byrne, Conor McCarney (0-1), Enda McGrath, Adam Byrne (0-3,1f), Dale McNamara (0-4), Jason Byrne (0-1), Gary Byrne (0-1), Jonathon Byrne. Subs: Michael Kealy, Daniel Quigley.

Photo: Although this was a great team performance, I’m sure his team mates won’t argue with Paddy Byrne being given pride of place after his outstanding display in this game. For more photos from the Minor game v Slaney Rangers, go into the Photo Gallery at www.flickr.com/photos/cluainmhor/

Footnote: After the game a number of players expressed their concern and upset at the criticism directed at both the Referee and our own players by a small number of Clonmore supporters. This is not acceptable and cannot continue.