By Manus Loughran
Clonmore outclassed a frustrated Clady side at the Athletic Grounds this evening, defeating their Junior B opponents by eight points.
The favourites got off on the front foot, knocking over two scores in the opening minute. Clady captain Sean Smith responded with a superb point after Malachy McGeown found him in space.
Paul Clarke levelled things up with his left foot, but Clonmore soon restored their lead through Brendan Donaghy.
Clonmore began to build a healthy lead midway through the second half. Clady’s discipline let them down badly and Clonmore converted four free kicks in ten minutes, which meant they went in at the break leading 0-10 to 0-03.
Clonmore pulled an extra man back in the second half to help close the game and their tactics worked superbly. Clady couldn’t get close as Clonmore dominated possession without really rallying forward.
Points from Ryan O’Hagan, Brendan Donaghy, the impressive John Grimley and Paul O’Donnnell completely killed off the game. They led 0-14 to 0-03 with 14 minutes remaining.
Although those four points proved to be their last scores until injury time, as they took their foot off the gas. Clady’s frustrations began to show and Shane Leanord was dismissed on the 53rd minute for punching off the ball.
Damien Devlin fisted home a late goal for Clady, but it was too little too late as the match finished 0-15 to 1-04 in Clonmore’s favour.
