Clonmore looked the better team from the start and raced into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead after 15 minutes, the goal an absolute rocket to the top corner from Gavin Byrne. There was also a couple of exquisite points from Con Murphy and John McGrath when they showed that football is really a simple game by catching, turning and kicking the ball straight over the bar from 40m with the minimum of fuss.
Although on top, we were rather tentative in the first half and only led by 1-4 to 0-2 at half time. Scores were slow to come in the second half and we could have doubled our tally before we actually scored a point by substitute Collie McGrath in the 37th min. After that the scores started to flow, with points by John McGrath & Crock and then a well taken and well deserved goal by Alan Humphries to put us 2-7 to 0-2 ahead at the end of the third quarter.
Our nemesis from last year, Sean Murphy, was again a thorn in our side with his surging runs almost impossible to stop. Anthony Byrne got a yellow card for fouling him the first half and Gavin's name was also noted for a similar indiscretion. Shane Murphy was immense at centre back and he also did his best to stand up Murphy at times but eventually Murphy's frustration spilled over and in the 46th minute and he received a straight red card for retaliating, resulting in Gavin Byrne having to leave the field.
From there to the end, it was exhibition stuff and Clonmore put on a great show of fast moving, intelligent football for the big support in the stand. The non stop running of David McCarney was rewarded when he sallied forward for a brace of trademark points, Collie McGrath kicked a couple of beauties and Con and Andrew put the icing on the cake with two cracking goals late on to boost our scoring difference.
No doubt tougher challenges lie ahead but it was good to get the Championship off to such a positive start and to use five subs showing the depth of the panel.
TEAM: Paddy Byrne, John Kelly, Sean Doyle, David McCarney (0-2), Enda McGrath, Shane Murphy, Anthony Byrne, Gavin Byrne (1-0), David Mulvany (0-1), Paddy Gahan, Alan Humphries (1-0), Jamie Walsh, Con Murphy (1-3,2f), John McGrath (0-2), Niall Humphries (0-1). Subs: Collie McGrath (0-3) for Jamie (35m), Darren McGrath for Gavin (46m), Andrew Byrne (1-0) for Paddy Gahan, Shane McGrath for John McGrath (55m), Willie Byrne for Anthony (55m).
PHOTO: It is a rare thing for the long suffering Clonmore supporters to be able to relax and enjoy an important game as we are usually biting our finger-nails up to the last minute. So why not savour this 19 point victory – "what's rare is wonderful" – or so the saying goes.
Is this a record win for Clonmore in a Senior or Intermediate Championship match ? If anyone remembers a bigger win, please send on the details by text to 087-6182062 or e-mail to gdoyle21@eircom.net. Well done to the players and mentors.
