This was the proverbial game of two halves. In the first half Clonmore's tactics worked to perfection. The backs were marking tight, tackling hard and moving the ball quickly into the full forward line where Niall Humphries and Paul Hogan won a lot of ball and kicked some excellent points. David Mulvany was working well at centre forward and also kicked two great long range points while Con Murphy did well to convert a '45' and a long range free off the ground. Everything was going well until the 22nd minute when we led by 0-8 to 0-4 but it was all down hill from there on.
A good point by Con Murphy was waved wide, substitute Enda McGrath was black carded within minutes of coming on and Jordan Kane had to go off injured. In the middle third of the game the Cocks kicked 5 unanswered points to put them 0-9 to 0-8 ahead. Niall Humphries and Gavin Byrne kicked good equalisers to keep Clonmore in the game at 0-10 apiece on 50 minutes but the Cocks were now defending in depth and isolating their danger man, former Blues player Alan Quigley, in the full forward line. With the left footed Quigley showing unerring accuracy from play and frees, the Cocks scored the last four points of the game to run out winners on a slightly flattering scoreline of 0-14 to 0-10.
The lads put up a good show in spite of missing a few regulars and only having 18 players on the night.
TEAM: Paddy Byrne, Mick Smith, John Kelly, Willie Byrne, Paddy Gahan, Gavin Byrne (0-1), Jordan Kane, Ronan Doyle, Con Murphy (0-2, 1'45', 1f), Adam Byrne, David Mulvany (0-2), Paul Byrne, Paul Hogan (0-1), Niall Humphries (0-4, 1f), Dale McNamara. Subs: Enda McGrath for Willie Byrne, Mark A Byrne for Enda (black card), Joe Hickey for Jordan (inj.).
PHOTO: After scoring 1-4 against St Andrews earlier in the week, Niall Humphries had another good game at full forward against the Cocks, getting out in front for nearly every ball and kicking four points, including a superb effort from wide on the right wing.
