Clonmore started well and went 2-2 to 0-1 up within fifteen minutes through points by Kevin McCarney & Mark A Byrne, a well worked goal by Niall Humphries and another goal from Willie Rooney after he jumped high to punch a free to the net.
Clonmore dominated all over the field in the first half and should have been further ahead than 2-5 to 0-5 at half-time. The only danger was coming from the MLR No 8, Fenlon, who was making some strong runs at the Clonmore defence but PJ Byrne did a good marking job on him in the second half.
The team continued to play quick, intelligent, passing football and put some great moves together up the length of the field but our finishing didn’t always match the build-up. MLR rarely threatened but when they did, the backs and goalie Paddy Byrne managed to keep them out, Paddy pulling off one point blank save. A cracking late goal by Shane McGrath, after great work by Shane Murphy, increased the winning marging to ten points for a well deserved victory. The semi-final is against Fenagh on Wednesday, 15 August.
Team: Paddy Byrne, Mark D Byrne, Willie Byrne, Paul Hogan, David McCarney (0-1), Shane Murphy, Conor McCarney, PJ Byrne (0-1), Willlie Rooney (1-0), Kevin McCarney (0-1), Niall Humphries (Captain)(1-1), Enda McGrath, Mark A Byrne (0-1), Shane McGrath (1-3), Gary Byrne. Subs: Jordan Walsh for Gary, inj 45mins, Martin Doyle for Enda, 55 mins.
Ref: David Hickey, Fenagh.
PHOTO: The Clonmore Under 21 team that reached the Final in 2011, 12 of whom played against MLR on 18 July: Back: PJ Byrne, Willie Rooney, Willie Byrne, Paddy Doyle, Daragh Kelly, Mark A Byrne, Shane McGrath, Darren McGrath, Gordon Hickey, Shane Murphy. Front: Mark D Byrne, James Doyle, Niall Humphries, Michael Murray (Captain), Paul Hogan, Enda McGrath, Martin Doyle, David McCarney, Kevin McCarney.
