News

SFL Div 2 Ballinabranna 0-9 Clonmore 2-12

November 8, 2018

The Intermediate team, which included seven U-21s, stood up to a strong physical challenge from bigger and more experienced opposition to emerge victorious in a bad tempered affair. The game was much closer than the scoreline suggests but was just what we needed after a few uncompetitive outings recently.
 
The first half was fairly even with the Clonmore backs working hard to keep out the bigger B’branna men and Owen Coleman slotting over four excellent frees off the ground plus one from play and another from David Mulvany who was moving well at centre-field. The score at HT was 0-6 apiece.
 
Clonmore started the second half strongly and points from PJ Byrne and Owen (2) put us 9 – 6 up, Owen’s second point could have been a goal as it rattled the crossbar before going over. Then a high lobbing dropping ball into the square from Shane Murphy was missed by the keeper and went straight to the net – the goalie no doubt distracted by the formidable presence of John McGrath in the small square – 1-9 to 0-6 on 40 mins. There was a a bit of niggle in the game from the start and mid-way through the second half the B’branna full-back was sent off.
 
Two more points by Owen put us 1-11 to 0-6 ahead but then we went to sleep and allowed them back into the game and at 1-11 to 0-9 they launched a few threatening attacks which could have yielded a goal. Thankfully, after a break in play, a well taken goal at the other end by the lively Kevin McCarney and a late point by PJ Byrne made sure of the points on a final scoreline of 2-12 to 0-9.
 
Good to see Willie Rooney back in action after being out injured for over a year and Owen Coleman was outstanding –  kicking a whopping nine points, six from frees. Ronan Doyle also deserves a mention for his diplomatic skills during the break in play ! This was a good test both of individual players and of the strength of the panel and thankfully we came through it with flying colours. Onwards and upwards.
 
Team: Willie Rooney, John Kelly, Pauric Lawlor, Paul Hogan, Enda McGrath, Shane Murphy (1-0), Willie Byrne, Ronan Doyle, David Mulvany (0-1), Kevin McCarney (1-0), Niall Humphries, Jamie Walsh, PJ Byrne (0-2), John McGrath, Owen Coleman (0-9, 6 frees). Subs: Mark A Byrne for John McGrath, John McGrath for Owen Coleman.
 
PHOTO:
Owen Coleman kicked an impressive nine points against B’branna, six of them frees from the ground.