Photo: Clonard's Stephen Connolly

Junior Championship Group A – Round 5

Clonard 1-12 Clann na nGael 1-10

Late August means many things, back to school, end of summer, shorter evenings, but in GAA circles it only means one thing, this is the business end of championship. And the stakes couldn’t be higher at Longwood in the Meath Junior championship where a win would clinch a quarter final spot, while losing would mean an early exit with the next excitement being Santa Claus.

Clonard were without their captain, talisman, and county man Adam Flanagan when plans to bring him home from a well-deserved and long-awaited holiday met complications. However, his brother Dylan stepped in to the breach in midfield, after missing the previous round’s collapse to Drumconrath in Bohermeen. Many thought that Clonard’s chance at a quarter final berth was gone that day after conceding an eight point lead with 20 minutes remaining, but Clonard players thought differently, as they knew they were made of sterner stuff.

The respected man in the middle for this crucial game was Dessie Smyth and shortly after 7.40pm on a dull but mild Tuesday evening he got proceedings under way with the throw-in. Clonard made the first scoring effort on the game as Mikie Mullen kicked wide but almost immediately Jason Dowdall scored a majestic point with the outside of his right boot from 35 metres out to notch the first score of the game.

Clann na Gael responded perfectly with two points of their own to take the lead but Mikie Mullen then made amends for his earlier miss with a fine effort from play to level matters once again. The county minor hurling star was showing no ill-effects from the weekend’s All-Ireland minor title success against Down. His club and county colleague at the weekend, Brian O’Reilly, had his hands full at corner back with Athboy’s impressive corner forward, as a fine dual was developing between the pair.

In the back lines Clonard were well organised with both Ger Foley and Paddy Daly winning the man-to-man battles resulting in frequent frustration for the Clann na nGael forwards. Despite their best efforts the opposition did notch three more scores before the break and it could have been more only for a fine goal-line clearance from goalkeeper and stand-in captain Paul Sheridan. Clonard then showed their forward quality with replying scores from Jason Moore and another from the very impressive Jason Dowdall in midfield, this kept things close at the break as Clann na nGael lead by two, 0-6-to 0-4.

The large crowd in attendance anticipated an exciting second half, and they weren’t to be disappointed. The Athboy/Rathcairn outfit extended their lead with a goal and a point, seemingly against the run of play, as they suddenly found themselves five points to the good. In this topsy-turvy season for Clonard they then showed their ‘topsy’ side as their resilience came to the fore. Mikie Mullen was excelling in his half forward line role as he scored another fine effort from play and another from a placed ball.

Clonard’s belief was starting to grow and the point of the game came from Dylan Flanagan with a superb effort from distance, followed by a Mikie Mullen free from the ground from a seemingly impossible angle close to the sideline on the 14 metre line. Dylan Flanagan then levelled matters on 47 minutes with his second of the half. However, Clann na nGael showed their own desire for that final quarter final spot and went up the field to retake the lead with two successive points. This was a pulsating game.

Clonard’s defence were standing tall and determined in the face of opposition pressure as the ever-reliable Foley and Connolly cousins battled for every ball. Paul Boland and Paddy Daly were also contributing massively to restricting Clann na nGael scores. At the other end Mullen slotted over another dead-ball effort followed by a fine equalising point from the hard-working Kenneth Darby, who was proving he’s returning to his best after a year of rehabilitation and training.

Clann na nGael were not deterred by Clonard’s second equaliser and they again went in front with just 5 minutes remaining. Almost immediately Ger Foley once again put his body on the line to win a fine low ball and was met with the full force of the Athboy forward and the game was held-up for almost 6 minutes as Uncle Frank treated him for the extremely hard hit. When play resumed Clonard’s desire was re-ignited but efforts from Paul Boland and Jason Moore went painfully wide of the target in stoppage time and many thought that was winning of this game gone.

But not so, as in the sixth minute of injury time, with Clonard down to 14 players following a second yellow for young Ryan Raleigh, the ball got released to Eoin Connolly through of crowd of players and he found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat. It was the perfect player with the perfect opportunity and he duly provided the perfect finish to the back of the net to spark elation for the large Clonard support. The applause and delight rang out around the Longwood ground. Over in Carlanstown the opposite emotions would have been experienced as groans and tears were likely as Cortown’s win over Meath Hill was to be in vain. The last quarter-final spot was Clonard’s and it was fully deserved. Clann na nGael manager and Meath legend Graham Geraghty addressed the winners dressing room in a very respectful manner with some honest and kind words, which were very much appreciated by the Clonard players and management.

It’s shaping up to be a wonderful year, with both adult teams in Junior A and D quarter finals, tremendous spirit being shown on the field, a fine new development facility, and burgeoning numbers joining the juvenile age groups. As a club it’s a wonderful time to be enjoyed and thankful for, and who knows where the future will lead us.

TEAM: 1.Paul Sheridan 2.Brian O’Reilly 3.Paddy Daly 4.Stephen Connolly 5. Paul Boland 6.Ger Foley 7.Eoin Connolly (1-0) 8.Dylan Flanagan (0-2) 9.Jason Dowdall (0-2) 10.Mikie Mullen (0-6 0-3f) 11.Eoin Treacy 12.Jason Moore (0-1) 13.Ryan Raleigh 14. Ken Darby (0-1) 15.Johnny Fitzsimons

Subs: Gary Raleigh for J.Fitzsimons