PHOTO: Clonard's Paddy Daly

Match Report - Junior Championship Group A Round 3

Clonard 3-6 Meath Hill 4-16

Athboy was the venue for this third-round championship match between Clonard and Meath Hill, with both teams putting their unbeaten championship start on the line.

Late July is typically holiday season so predictably Clonard were without some of their starting line-up from their second-round victory over Cortown. The two minors, Brian O’Reilly and Mikie Mullen, were joined by Johnny Fitzsimons on the unavailable list.

Meath Hill set the tempo from the first whistle as the referee’s short throw-in was caught cleanly by their midfielder, and after a quick intercession of passes the north Meath outfit were a point ahead inside just ten seconds. They continued their bright start by firing over two more points and Clonard were reeling, with their only effort resulting in a wide by Dylan Flanagan, as Meath Hill bossed and dominated possession.

After seven minutes of play Meath Hill were five points clear with Clonard yet to register a score. But their perfect opportunity came on the ten-minute mark when a goal was denied twice in the same passage of play by forwards Ken Darby and Ian Campbell, first a reaction goalkeeping save, followed by a fortuitous block on the line by both feet of the opposition defender.

The Clonard groans could be heard all around the large Athboy pitch and the groans got louder when on thirteen minutes Meath Hill worked the ball the lenght of the pitch and shot to the net leaving eight points between the sides. It was a another blow to Clonard and huge boost to Meath Hill, as their hungrier attitude was paying dividends in every position on the field.

Another two wides for Clonard was eventually followed by a pointed effort when Gary Raleigh found his range from a placed ball and Clonard had their first score with 23 minutes on the clock. Dylan Flanagan added Clonard’s second shortly after but Meath Hill responded with two scores of their own to quench any hopes of a revival before half time.

Two more long distance wides from placed balls by Paul Sheridan and Adam Flanagan added to Clonard woe’s but Ryan Raleigh did provide their only highlight of the half when he scored a fine point from a tight angle on the right-hand side, following a strong run while evading several tackles from Meath Hill defenders. The half time whistle sounded and Meath Hill led 1-8 to 0-3. Clonard retreated to the dressing room and were subjected to the ‘hair-dryer’ treatment from their manager, and few could argue with his harsh words.

There was a mountain to climb in the second half but Clonard got the perfect start when a pointed effort dropped short and was parried on the goal-line by the Meath Hill ‘keeper, Ryan Raleigh reacted quickly and robbed the ball from his grasp to hit to an empty net. But the goal didn’t provide the expected momentum to Clonard, instead Meath Hill easily tagged on a point at the other end as they worked passes through the Clonard defence with ease. The tactic proved fruitful for them again almost immediately with a second goal as the shot slid under the advancing Sheridan.

Clonard conceded a third goal on fifty-minute mark when hesitancy between goalkeeper and defender allowed the Meath Hill forward to volley soccer style to the net from just six yards out. But the south Meath men kept battling despite playing second fiddle in almost every position and were rewarded with a goal from the hard-working Kenneth Darby after 50 minutes, followed by a quick point from the boot of Jason Dowdall. Gary Raleigh added Clonard’s third major of the game from the penalty spot after 56 minutes, in reply to Meath Hill’s fourth goal, but there was no doubting the better team on the night as Meath Hill were victors on a final score-line of Meath Hill 4-16 Clonard 3-6.

For Meath Hill this result and performance proved their championship credentials are valid, while Clonard must regroup for a crucial fourth round game against Drumconrath in two weeks’ time, knowing some honest soul searching will need to be done, coupled with hard work and commitment on the training ground. Both teams sit joint second on four points in the group table, so a win for either side could mean a quarter final spot, it promises to be an exciting encounter.

TEAM: 1.Paul Sheridan 2.Stephen Connolly 3.Paddy Daly 4.Paul Boland 5.Jason Dowdall (0-1) 6.Ger Foley 7.Eoghan Connolly (0-1) 8.Adam Flanagan 9.Dylan Flanagan (0-1) 10.Jason Moore (0-1) 11.Eoin Treacy 12.Ryan Raleigh (1-1) 13.Ken Darby (1-0) 14.Ian Campbell 15.Gary Raleigh (1-1 1-0p 0-1f )

Subs: Chris Doyle for P.Boland