Fielding a severely depleted team due to injuries and other commitments, Clonmore battled all the way in this tense encounter with Ballinabranna. The half time score was 0-7 to 0-5 in favour of B’branna but Clonmore were on level terms within minutes of the re-start. However, Clonmore’s backline was under constant pressure and were forced into conceding frees which B’branna’s reliable freetaker converted with unerring accuracy. Practically all of B’branna’s scores came from frees and this proved to be the difference between the teams at the end.
Team: Colin McGrath, Martin Byrne, Colin Doyle, Con Cashin, Paul Byrne, Bobby Rooney, James Doyle, Ronan Doyle, Pauric Lawlor, Jamie Walsh, John McGrath, Shane Murphy, Niall Humphries, Con Murphy, Owen Coleman. Subs: Enda McGrath, David Mulvany.
Clonmore, on 3 points, still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the knock out stages of the IFC but Ballinabranna, on 4 points, are now clear favourites to take the third qualifying place. For Clonmore to qualify, we must beat St Andrews in the last round game on Sunday AND Ballinabranna must lose to Leighlinbridge by less than 7 points. A tall order but stranger things have happened. (see table below)
IFC League Table at 21 August:
| P | W | D | L | For | Against | Pts Diff | Points | |
| St Andrews | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 40 | 31 | 8 |
| Myshall | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 57 | 39 | 18 | 6 |
| Ballinabranna | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50 | 56 | -6 | 4 |
| Clonmore | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 38 | 46 | -8 | 3 |
| Leighlinbridge | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 32 | 46 | -14 | 3 |
Rathvilly 4 0 0 4 31 52 -21 0
Photo: David Mulvany brings a great save from Ballinabranna goalkeeper, Jason Carter, in the drawn League Semi-final back in June. The sides met again in a vital Championship match on Friday last with B’branna emerging winners by three points, 0-12 to 0-9.
