The Intermediates continued their good start to the League to record a convincing win over Myshall at Woodside last night.
Myshall opened the scoring in the first minute but David Mulvany equalised immediately and we were never led from there on. The early exchanges were close enough and scoring was tit for tat up to the 20th minute when Clonmore led by 0-5 to 0-4 with points from Shane McGrath (3) and Adam Byrne. But we pulled away in the last ten minutes of the half, kicking four unanswered points – 3 more from Shane and one from PJ Byrne – to lead 0-9 to 0-4 at half-time.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Myshall opening the scoring and Clonmore staying a comfortable margin ahead in spite of kicking a lot of wides. Wing back Paddy Gahan strode forward with purpose in the 35th minute to kick a great long range point and Enda McGrath (2) and PJ following suit from distance. The icing was put on the cake by the ever improving Adam Byrne in the 52nd minute when he carefully placed a low shot to the bottom corner to put us 1-13 to 0-5 ahead. Our last point came fittingly from the accurate right boot of Shane McGrath to record a 1-14 to 0-6 win.
It should be noted that Myshall effectively played with 14 men for the entire game as a mentor stood in to make up 15 and they were missing seven senior county players (6 hurlers, 1 footballer) so we shouldn't read too much into this result. Still, no Myshall team is easily beaten and it is good for morale to get into a winning habit. The lads are working hard, supporting one another and showing good discipline and team spirit. It's early days but the signs are positive.
TEAM: Paddy Byrne, Mick Smith, John Kelly, Willie Byrne, Paddy Gahan (0-1), Gavin Byrne, Con Murphy, Ronan Doyle, Enda McGrath (0-2), Adam Byrne (1-1), Collie McGrath (0-1), David Mulvany (0-1), PJ Byrne (0-2), Shane McGrath (0-7, 5f), Paul Hogan. Subs: Dale McNamara for Hogie, Joe Hickey for Willie, Mark A Byrne for Paddy Byrne.
Ref: David Hughes (Bagenalstown).
PHOTO: Congratulations to John Kelly on being made Captain of the Intermediate team for 2014. Well done to John and best wishes to John and Vice-Captain Con Murphy for a successful season..
