PHOTO:Clonard's Eoghan Connolly 

MATCH REPORT

Div 4A League

Clonard 1-11 Moylagh 2-13

Moylagh was the venue for this division 4 round 8 match on a beautifully sunny Sunday morning when Clonard locked horns with the local team with another 2 league points at stake.

The home side made the perfect start when they found the net within 15 seconds of the throw-in when a long and hopeful ball was fisted to the net from close range by the Moylagh corner forward. Clonard could only initially respond with a couple of wides but Dylan Flanagan made a great run from the half back line and kicked over the black spot for their first score after 7 minutes of play.

Points continued to be traded between both sides as the half progressed but accuracy again proved to be a thorn in the side for Clonard as the forwards failed to find their range on numerous occasions. The two ‘Eoins’, Connolly and Treacy, did manage to split the uprights, as well as another fine effort from Johnny Fitzsimons.

But Moylagh hit another killer blow to the Clonard men in the final minute of the half when they again found the net, and despite a fine pointed effort in reply by Johnny Fitzsimons, Moylagh went in at the break leading on a score-line of 2-5 to 0-6.

Clonard started the second half brightly and were rewarded after just 4 minutes of play when Kenneth Darby found the ever on-rushing Eoghan Connolly with a perfect kick pass and Connolly duly despatched to the net to leave only a goal between the sides.

But again, Clonard didn’t take their chances when more wides were registered from Gary Raleigh, Eoin Treacy, and Paul Sheridan from a ’45. However, the deficit was reduced to a single point on two occasions when Eoghan Connolly and Jason Moore fired over after fine runs from both men.

Clonard’s cause wasn’t aided by the black card dismissal of Ger Foley after 12 minutes of the second half. Moylagh had their shooting boots on, and seemed to score with every opportunity as their lively and experienced forwards punished Clonard wastefulness. As the final whistle sounded it was them who were the victors with five points to spare, Clonard 1-11 Moylagh 2-13.

Clonard went home with plenty to work on for the upcoming first match of the championship, and will hope that the return of Ryan Raleigh and Mikie Mullen in the forward lines can spur the team to a better performance and a more accurate shooting rate.

TEAM: 1.Paul Sheridan 2.Stephen Connolly 3.Ger Foley 4.Johnny Campbell 5.Eoghan Connolly (1-2) 6.Paddy Daly 7.Dylan Flanagan (0-2) 8.Adam Flanagan 9.Stephen O’Reilly 10.Jason Moore (0-1) 11.Eoin Treacy (0-1) 12.Gary Raleigh (0-2 0-2F) 13.Ken Darby 14.Barry Connolly 15.Johnny Fitzsimons (0-2)

Subs: Ian Campbell for B.Connolly, Alan O’Donoghue for G.Foley, Davey Doyle (0-1) for K. Darby, Chris Doyle for S.O’Reilly