We have lost many games in the past, but this must be one of the cruellest defeats we have ever suffered.
After going five points down in the first ten minutes, the lads had put in a massive 45 minutes to outplay the Cocks and lead by five points with five minutes to go – 2-9 to 1-7. But inexperience cost us dearly and we allowed the Cocks to score 1-3 in the dying minutes to snatch victory. Instead of retaining possession we tried a number of risky long passes that were intercepted; instead of kicking the ball dead we kicked it into the keeper's hands or overplayed it and lost possession; and we argued with the Ref over a free which resulted in it being brought to within kicking distance.
If we can keep doing all the good things we did in the middle 45 minutes of the game and learn from the mistakes we made in the last ten, then this match should serve as a launch pad for the rest of the season, starting with the K/C game on the weekend of 25 August, where victory will put us into the quarter finals.
The football played by Clonmore between the 10th and the 55th minutes was some of the best we've produced for a long time with uncompromising defending combined with fast accurate ball to the forwards and some excellent finishing. Gavin Byrne was a revelation at full-forward as he repeatedly got out in front of his man to win the long accurate deliveries from the backs. One of the best moves of the game saw Paddy Gahan send a long ball down the right wing to Jamie Walsh who intelligently flicked it on to Gavin who won a 50/50 ball and crossed for Sean Tompkins to score a brilliant goal, catching the goalkeeper completely unawares with an overhead flick to the net without taking the ball into his hands.
Throughout the team, the level of intensity and committment was outstanding. making the final result all the harder to take. That effort definitely deserved better, but it's a long road that has no turning…………. and if we continue to put in the work, the rewards will come as we certainly have the talent.
Story of the game:
10mins: Cocks 1-3 CM 1-0, Gavin goal after great run by Anthony
15mins: Cocks 1-3 CM 1-1, Gavin free
30mins: Cocks 1-5 CM 1-4, points from Gavin, Niall & Jamie
45mins: Cocks 1-6 CM 2-7, points by Paddy, Gavin (f) and goal by Sean T.
55mins: Cocks 1-7 CM 2-9, points by Gavin (tricky free), Anthony ('45') & Paddy from distance
60mins: Cocks 1-9 CM 2-9
63mins: Cocks 2-10 CM 2-9.
Team: Jason Fitzharris, John Kelly, Willie Byrne, Matt Cullen, Sean Tompkins (1-0), Shane Murphy, Rory McKernan, Enda McGrath, Anthony Byrne (0-1,'45'), Paddy Gahan (0-2), Con Murphy, Tom Pollard, Jamie Walsh (0-1), Gavin Byrne (1-4, 3f), Niall Humphries (0-1). Subs: David Mulvany for Con (35min), Shane McGrath for Jamie (48min), Jason Fitzharris for Jordan (inj, 48min), Sean Deay for Niall (56min).
PHOTO: Former Intermediate Player of the Year, Gavin Byrne, had an outstanding game for the Intermediates against the Fighting Cocks, scoring 1-4.
