Clones

St.Tiarnach’s Minors take the spoils in Scotstown thriller:  The amalgamated team of Clones and Eire Og took to the field against Doohamlet in the county minor championship final on Sunday last at 2pm in perfect autumn conditions.  With very little separating these teams on their league performances the expectation was huge from both sets of fans who were in fine voice from the get go.  Doohamlet got the better start and were good value for their lead going into the break following some fine attacking play, with Matthew Byrne causing several problems for St. Tiarnachs.  There were goals a plenty from both teams showing their youth, confidence and exuberance in front of goal.  The entry fee of €11 may have seemed a bit steep for this double header but the quality of football on display in the curtain raiser was worth it on its own.  With Doohamlet in the ascendancy by three points at half time St. Tiarnach’s needed to show their mettle and impose themselves more in the second half.  This they did with composure that belied their young years. In a golden patch for our boys that lasted ten minutes Micheal Tierney, James Mealiff and the dynamo that is Dermot Gleeson converted score after score.  It must be said that the link up play between these three players along with Eoin McQuaid and Ben Daly was exceptional.  From a three point deficit St. Tiarnachs went two points up.  But Doohamlet weren’t going down without a fight and some fine points from distance kept the deficit to the minimum.  St. Tiarnach’s edged ahead by two points with time nearly up.  But there was to be a twist in the tale as a long searching ball into the St. Tiarnachs square following a scramble by eight or ten players saw the ball cross the line and the green flag go up to put Doohamlet ahead by one.  As joint captain James Morrow kicked the ball out the message on the loudspeaker was “at least an additional two minutes”.  James McElwain was excellent in the air all afternoon and when needed most duly obliged and St. Tiarnachs were on the attack, a diagonal ball found Dermot Gleeson who sprinted up the line found space and popped over a sublime score, the sides were level.  With time still on the clock both teams were looking for the winner Doohamlet won their own kickout but tenacious and relentless play from Ben Daly and Matthew Mc Elvaney turned over possession queue Eoin McQuaid to carry the ball into the danger area who was fouled on the ’45 in front of goal.  Micheal Tierney stepped up and his reliable boot would surely seal a victory.  Micheal had received a knock to his head moments earlier, but there was nothing wrong with James Mealiff’s head who darted out to take the pressure of the big kick, he took it short and slotted it over the bar for a remarkable quick thinking score. The referee blew it up moments later for a momentous win for St. Tiarnachs.  This was a fantastic team performance from 1 to 23 and it’s impossible to mention everyone but they all played their part in this great victory.  Team; James Morrow(J.Capt.), Shane Ward, Kevin Reilly, Matthew McElvaney, Ben Daly, James Leonard, James Mealiff, James McElwain, Eoin McQuaid, Cian O’Connor(J.Capt.), Micheal Morgan, Dermot Gleeson, Micheal Tierney.  Subs Shaun Cunningham, Joe Gavin, Corey McAree, Shane Slowey, Darek Sviridenka, Tristan Reavey, Niall CAdden, Darragh McDermott, Jake Reihill, Kevin Sheridan.  The management panel of Mickey Tierney, Jimmy Corr, Joe Leonard, Gerry O’Gorman and Seamus Morrow deserve great credit for their efforts all year and will surely be keeping the lads grounded and be hoping for the double.  Your heart would go out to Doohamlet or indeed any team to loose a final by a solitary point but they’ll have their chance for revenge on the October 20^th in Cremartin for the league final where these two do battle again.  A special mention to Jake Rehill who’s been out all season with a bad shoulder injury, this player would surely have been part of the county panel and having missed out on an Ulster title and now a county title you’d have to feel for him but he’s been by the players side all season and hasn’t missed a game or training session and his day will come soon enough.

Seniors;  this Saturday sees our seniors take on Truagh at 4:30pm, having beaten Truagh at home earlier in the season and then succumbing to them in the championship it’s a clash that whets the appetite and we wish our boys well.