23 August: Br Leo Park Tournament FINAL: Tinahely 2-8 Clonmore 0-9
In a very competitive game, the difference between the teams were two softish goals scored against the run of play. The first, in the 16th minute, was a high ball into the square which was punched to the net by the big full-forward who rose above the Clonmore backs and goalie. This put Tinahely 1-3 to 0-1 ahead but the lads recovered well from this set back to reduce the deficit to 1-3 to 0-4 at half-time. The second, in the 40th minute, was from a short kick-out where the Clonmore back was clearly fouled before being dis-possessed and the ball stuck in the net. This put Tinahely 2-5 to 0-4 ahead and again the Clonmore lads showed good spirit to battle on and got back to 2-6 to 0-8 on 55 mins but the goal we needed never came.
Both of these games were useful work-outs for the panel and good preparation for the tough tests that lie ahead. The IFC Quarter-Finals are on the week-end of 13 September, Semi-Finals on w/e of 27 September and Final on w/e of 11 October.
TEAM: Paddy Byrne, John Kelly, Bobby Rooney, Jordan Kane, David McCarney Shane Murphy, Willie Byrne, Gavin Byrne (0-5,5f), Enda McGrath. Paddy Gahan (0-1), Pauric Lawlor, Niall Humphries (0-1), Andrew Byrne, Con Murphy (0-2), Dale McNamara. Subs: Collie McGrath for Paddy Byrne (HT), Anthony Byrne for John Kelly (35 mins).
18 August: Br Leo Park Tournament Semi-Final: Clonmore 1-13 St Patricks 0-13
This was a close game all through with some excellent point taking from both teams. A late goal from Alan Humphries gave Clonmore a hard earned victory and we play either Tinahely or O'Hanrahans in the Final on Sunday at 7pm..
Tullow burst out of the blocks and were 0-3 up before Con Murphy registered a well taken point on 10 minutes. This was followed by further points by Niall & Gavin but Clonmore were struggling to come to terms with Tullow's midfield of Johnny "Egg" Fitzgerald and Willie Doran and the lively Pauric Murphy at 13 and the hosts quickly restored their 3 point lead – 0-6 to 0-3 on 15 mins.The Clonmore lads lifted their game in the second quarter and the midfield & backs began to get to grips with their men. The half-back line of Willie Byrne, Enda McGrath and Shane Murphy was the launchpad for many of our attacks and points from Con, Pauric (2), Gavin, and Niall (2) put us 0-9 to 0-8 ahead at half-time.
Clonmore were on top for most of the second half but we couldn't pull away and a couple of goal chances that would have put us into a comfortable lead went abegging. Points by Niall (2) and Gavin (2) put us 0-13 to 0-11 up on 52 minutes but St Pats equalised on 55 minutes and it looked like we were heading for extra-time. Then up popped Alan Humphries on one of his surging runs through the middle and he rounded the keeper to score the winning goal. Tullow threw everything into attack and Collie McGrath had to make a very good save in the dying seconds to ensure victory.
In addition to those mentioned above, Andrew Byrne, Bobby Rooney, Paul Hogan, Paddy Gahan, John Kelly and Dale McNamara worked hard throughout while the fresh legs of Jordan Kane made a difference in the second half.
TEAM: Paddy Byrne, John Kelly, Bobby Rooney, Paul Hogan, Enda McGrath, Shane Murphy, Willie Byrne, Gavin Byrne (0-4, 3f), Alan Humphries (1-0). Paddy Gahan, Pauric Lawlor (0-2), Niall Humphries (0-5), Dale McNamara, Con Murphy (0-2), Andrew Byrne. Subs: Jordan Kane for Paul Hogan (HT), Collie McGrath for Paddy Byrne (40 mins), Paul for Dale (50 mins).PHOTO: The team that beat Tullow in the Bro Leo Park Tournament on 18 August: Back (left to right) Gavin Byrne, Collie McGrath, Dale McNamara, Andrew Byrne, Paddy Byrne, Paddy Gahan, Alan Humphries, Pauric Lawlor, Enda McGrath, John Kelly, Dermot Byrne (Selector). Front: Shane Murphy, Dale McNamara, Con Murphy (Captain), Niall Humphries, Bobby Rooney, Willie Byrne, Paul Hogan.
