News

IFC: St Andrews 1-9 Clonmore 1-7

November 8, 2018

The Intermediates were unlucky to lose this tight, tense, encounter with St Andrews in Fenagh last Saturday evening. The game was played in difficult conditions for good football with a cross-field wind and driving rain ruining what should have been an high quality game between two good, well prepared, teams. Nevertheless, the Clonmore lads matched their much fancied opponents in every department and played some excellent football over the hour but just failed to convert enough of our chances into scores during a period of second half dominance. 

St Andrews were first to score with a John Doyle free after 5 mins but then Clonmore hit a purple patch. Points by Niall Humphries and Con Murphy and a hard earned goal by John McGrath after a lovely flowing move put us 1-2 to 0-1 up after 12 minutes. St Andrews took over in the second quarter and scored an unanswered 1-5 to put them 1-6 to 1-2 ahead at half-time. 

This lead flattered the Saints as there was nothing between the teams. Clonmore were giving as good as they got and were doing especially well around midfield. Both full forward lines seemed to have the beating of their men – the difference was that St Andrews were converting their possession into scores whereas Clonmore were not. A number of Clonmore's shots went wide or dropped short while the likes of Andrew Beaton was kicking points from all angles.

Clonmore upped their game in the second half and dominated possession. Two frees from Con Murphy and a great Niall Humphries point from a difficult angle left the score 1-7 to 1-5 on 45 minutes and we were right back in it. Unfortunately, a number of chances to close the gap from play and frees were missed and a half chance of a goal didn't work out. The fast St Andrews were always dangerous on the break and forced the Clonmore backs into giving away frees which were converted by Doyle and Beaton to keep their noses in front.

Two late frees from Gavin Byrne brought us back to within 2 points on 58 minutes – 1-9 to 1-7. Although the players ran themselves into the ground and tried their hardest, we found it hard to score and many of the frees we were awarded were a long way out which made them hard to judge with the strong crossfield breeze. On another night, in calmer conditions, they might have all gone over the bar and we'd be celebrating a win but it was not to be. 

The players cannot be faulted for effort, fitness or skill and their style of play was very effective. There is nothing between these two teams and this game could have gone either way. 

Our next game in the IFC is against the Fighting Cocks on w/e 10 September. 

Story of the game:

12 mins Clonmore 1-2 St Andrews 0-1 – John McGrath goal & points from Niall & Con (free)

15 mins  Clonmore 1-2 St Andrews 1-2

HT:  Clonmore 1-2 St Andrews 1-6 

45mins  Clonmore 1-5 St Andrews 1-7 – Points scored by Con (2 frees) & Niall, 

FT:  Clonmore 1-7 St Andrews 1-9 – two late points from Gavin (2 frees). 

Team: Jordan Kane, John Kelly, Sean Doyle, David McCarney, Enda McGrath, Shane Murphy, Anthony Byrne, Gavin Byrne (0-2, 2f), David Mulvany, Paddy Gahan, Alan Humphries, Jamie Walsh, Niall Humphries (0-2), John McGrath (1-0), Con Murphy (0-3,3f). Subs: Andrew Byrne for John Kelly (20m), Collie McGrath for Jamie Walsh (25m), Darren McGrath for John McGrath (48m), Larry Doyle for Alan Humphries (55m).