Photo: Clonard's Peter McNevin

Junior D Championship Group B Round 3

Clonard 0-11 St. Peter’s Dunboyne 4-12

Clonard’s second string made the short trip to Longwood to take on St.Peter’s Dunboyne in this junior D third round fixture. St. Peters came in to the match with a 100% record in the group knowing a win would guarantee a quarter final slot, while Clonard needed the win just to stay in contention, with only two further games remaining in the group.

The South Meath village men knew this was going to a tough fixture after losing three influential players to first team action since their opening round win over Boardsmill, but heads lifted again with news of the return of Adrian Boland and Peter McNevin, two players who featured prominently in Junior A action three years previous.

The opening ten minutes saw both sides trade scores, midfielder Shane Dunne notching the first score of the game and Niall Walsh putting Clonard back in front with a trademark free. Clonard appeared the stronger outfit but failed to show it where it mattered most, on the scoreboard, as they kicked five wides in that opening ten-minute spell.

Almost predictably St. Peters duly laid out punishment for Clonard's missed opportunities when they registered a goal after 12 minutes, some initial good work from corner back Cyril Treacy ended with an intercepted pass by the opposition and they drove forward and bundled the ball over Robbie Quirke’s goal-line. But Clonard responded well and continued playing with the majority of possession, this time rewarded with fine points from Adrian Boland, impressive minor Dylan Dixon, and a superb effort from Shane Dunne at long distance.

With 25 minutes played the sides were level, with good performances all over the field. Shane Patton epitomised Clonard’s work rate as he showed for ball every time it was played to his corner, and duly won possession each time to subsequently distribute well. The normally reliable left boot of Dylan Dixon almost scored a vital goal for Clonard after 22 minutes when a flowing move saw him bear down on goal with only the keeper to beat, but his effort came off the post and rolled wide.

Games often turn on narrow margins and this was certainly the case when after 26 minutes St. Peters struck a double whammy that changed the course of the game. The first goal came from a strong run by their corner forward, evading a hard tackle from Johnny Campbell, and the resultant kick out ended back in the net within 20 seconds of restart and Dunboyne suddenly found themselves six points to the good. Points were swapped before the half time whistle and Dunboyne lead at the break, 3-4 to 0-7.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with little between the sides in term of skill, work-rate and possession. The injured Adrian Boland added another fine effort from full forward as he soldiered on despite a thigh injury. But Dunboyne’s greater experience and fitness then started to show as they kicked three points without reply and then put the game beyond Clonard with another goal, this time a well worked effort which started in midfield.

Clonard heads seemed to drop as they knew this game was now beyond them and despite Alan O’Donoghue’s point from play and another Niall Walsh free from the hands late in the game St. Peters went home with the two points and top the group with a maximum of six. Clonard look forward to two final games against Bective and Drumbaragh knowing qualification might be now be out of their hands.

Clonard supporters will be delighted to see the return of Adrian Boland and Peter McNevin to the field of play, however, Peter’s return may be short-lived as he heads to Abu Dhabi for a two year work contract next month. The club would like to wish him all the very best in his new job and adventure.

TEAM: 1.Robbie Quirke 2.Cyril Treacy 3.Ciaran Darby 4.Johnny Campbell 5. Cormac Fitzsimons 6.Peter McNevin 7.Aaron Duignan 8.Shane Dunne (0-2) 9.Alan O’Donoghue (0-1) 10.Dylan Dixon (0-1) 11.Adrian Boland (0-3) 12.John McNevin 13.Shane Patton 14.Barry Connolly 15.Niall Walsh (0-4 0-4f)

Subs: Glen Boland for A.Boland