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SFL Div 2 Semi-final: Clonmore 1-18 Ballinabranna 1-5

November 8, 2018

Clonmore advanced to the final against Eire Og after a niggly game with Ballinabranna which saw three B’ranna players sent off. To their credit, the Clonmore lads maintained their discipline throughout and concentrated on playing good football, moving the ball at speed and kicking some fine scores.
 
Clonmore were 0-3 to 0-1 when the first of the B’ranna players saw red in the tenth minute, our points coming from Niall Humphries and Owen Coleman(2). Further points by Gavin Byrne, a superb long range effort from John McGrath, Jamie Walsh, Owen (3) and Enda McGrath (2) put us in a comfortable position at half-time: 0-11 to 1-2.
 
Six points up against 14 men, Clonmore proceeded to sleep walk through the third quarter and allowed B’ranna back to within four points (0-11 to 1-4), before they had a second man sent off on 43 mins. To add to B’ranna’s woes, Enda McGrath went to the clouds to brilliantly keep a high ball from Paul Hogan from going wide and he lashed an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net: 1-12 to 1-4 on 45 mins.
 
Points from Owen (2), John McGrath, Shane McGrath and Gavin Byrne rounded off the scoring to give Clonmore a comprehensive 1-18 to 1-5 win. This was a good team performance with all twenty players making a valuable contribution. Willie Rooney once again looked assured in goal, the full-back line put in a solid hour and the half-backs were probably our strongest line. Midfielders Gavin and Crock worked hard to keep a good supply of ball moving to the forwards, all six of whom got out in front of their men and used the ball intelligently.
 
We now look forward to defending our Division Two title at the weekend against Eire Og, always formidable opponents in a final.
 
Team: Willie Rooney, John Kelly, Pauric Lawlor, Paul Hogan, Shane Murphy, Ronan Doyle, Bobby Rooney, David Mulvany, Gavin Byrne (0-2), Enda McGrath (1-3), Niall Humphries (0-1), Jamie Walsh (0-1), PJ Byrne, John McGrath (0-2), Owen Coleman (0-8, 6f, 1’45’). Subs: Shane McGrath (0-1), Willie Byrne, Kevin McCarney, Mark A Byrne, Mark D Byrne.
 
REF: John Smithers (Fenagh).
 
PHOTO: Enda McGrath was back to his best against Ballinabranna scoring 1-3, his goal a brilliant effort after a great catch.