Clonard 0-12 Slane 0-12

Slane made the long trip to Clonard for the second time in five weeks to contest this third round division 4 'A' league match on a mild March Sunday afternoon.

Their previous visit in the Tailteann Cup resulted in a convincing 16 point win but today was to be a much tighter affair. Similar to the previous encounter the Clonard starting line-up was missing a few regulars but it was clear from the outset that motivation and performance were not lacking this time around. The two county hurling minors were content with their starting place, despite this being their third game in 24 hours, demonstrating dedicated commitment to their two sports.

Clonard started very brightly when a strong run from Dylan Flanagan in the first minute ended with a foul on the far right sideline and Ian Campbell stepped up to knock it over with his left foot. Slane responded with two scores of their own, then a placed ball reply from Gary Raleigh levelled it soon after, and it obvious to the crowd in attendance that this was going to a much closer game than five weeks previous.

With never more than two points between the sides and the lead changing hands on two occasions Clonard's growing wides count was becoming a concern. The normally reliable Gary Raleigh and Mikey Mullen unusually missing some dead ball efforts, added to by Ian Campbell's wide from a side-line free.  However, just before the half time whistle goalkeeper Paul Sheridan made a trip up the field to knock over a '45' to send the teams in level at the break, Clonard 0-5 Slane 0-5.

The second half was even more intense than the first with Slane kicking some quality long distance scores from play and dead balls. Clonard were gaining plenty of possession but were again wasteful when it came in front of the goals, but still took the lead on two occasions, thanks to two frees from Gary Raleigh and point from play from Eoin Treacy. Despite the fine score Treacy was having a frustrating day, as he won prime possession every time the ball was delivered down the middle, only to narrowly shoot wide on three occasions.

It was nerve-wrecking for all in attendance as Slane levelled and then again took the lead, but Eoin Treacy levelled it once more from play, as the crowd were getting great value for their €5 entrance fee. The drama continued as substitute Alan O'Donoghue found himself in on goal only to skew his effort high and wide of the upright when the hopes on the sideline were for a goal to seal a dramatic win. Mikey Mullen then once again ran at his opposing marker, this time evading the usual foul on him,  and kicked a brilliant point to regain the lead with only a minute left on the clock. Slane weren't to be outdone though as they kicked an equalising score in injury time. Referee Martin Ennis played another 3 minutes of stoppage time and typical of the game it allowed for more drama as both teams had further chances to win it, but were denied by quality defending from both Paddy 'The Red' Daly and Brian O'Reilly and a then a wide from Eoin Treacy.

The final whistle sounded and the general feeling was one of disappointment in the Clonard dressing room. With the wide count finishing 12 to 5 that was understandable, but as the players and supporters made their way home that disappointment seemed to be replaced with pride as they realised they had turned last month's 16 point defeat in to an exciting draw, progress for sure.

Clonard: Paul Sheridan (0-1 0-1'45), Johnny Campbell, Paddy Daly, Brian O'Reilly, Eoghan Connolly, Paul Boland, Stephen Connolly, Dylan Flanagan, Ian Campbell (0-1f), Stephen O'Reilly, Eoin Treacy (0-2), Chris Doyle, Gary Raleigh (0-5 0-5f), Kenneth Darby, Mikey Mullen (0-3 0-1f)

Subs: Ryan Raleigh for S.O'Reilly,  Ger Foley for J.Campbell,  Barry Connolly for K.Darby,  Alan O'Donoghue for C.Doyle,  David Doyle for R.Raleigh

Slane Report

On Sunday Slane made the long journey to Clonard for their third game of the All County A Football league.

Clonard opened the scoring with a point from play and Slane replied with two points from Jim Marry and Matthew Tully respectively. Conard's second point was followed by two more points from Slane which came from free kicks, both well taken by Daniel Carolan. Clonard's third point of the game left the scoreline standing at Slane 0-4, Clonard 0-3 after 17 minutes. Clonard went on to score two more points before the break, one from a free kick. A point for Slane scored by Alan Harding brought the two sides level at half time with five points a piece.

Similar to the first half, Clonard opened the second half scoring but it wasn't long before the sides were level again after a brilliantly taken free by Alan Harding almost 40 yards out. Two impressive points for Slane secured by Jim Marry and Daniel Carolan put Slane ahead but Clonard soon responded, and after a free kick and a point from play the sides were level once again. Further points were exchanged and after 51 minutes of play the sides had 11 points a piece. Eoin Gibbs, Alan Harding and Daniel Carolan scoring for Slane. The final 10 minutes of the game saw both sides waste opportunities to secure a win. Clonard then scored a point from play in the 59th minute, which could have been the winner. However, Slane refused to make the journey home with nothing to show for their troubles and were granted a draw when Daniel Carolan scored a point in the final few moments of the game.

Final score Slane 0-12, Clonard 0-12.

Slane: D. Berrill, S. Kells, S. Harding, R. Finnegan, K. Reily, E. Feeily, L. White, E. Gibbs(0-1), J. Marry(0-2), M. Tully(0-1), E. Mooney, C. Gough, A. Harding(0-3) (1 from free), D. Lynch, D. Carolan(0-5) (2 from frees).

Subs: T. Macken for D. Lynch, D. Forde for C. Gough, C. Smith for E. Mooney.  

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