IFC Q-Final: Greenlough 0-12 Claudy 2-10 (30/08/14) - Black day for Seniors with Championship exit

The last Saturday of August, is known as Black Saturday, and so it proved as the colour had a significant bearing on Greenlough's Intermediate Championship Quarter-Final against Claudy at Celtic Park on Saturday 30th August 2014.

Even before the game started 'Black' had a part to play in Greenlough's preparations. Not only did Greenlough have to make the 90 mile round trip to Derry city for the game, along with two other South Derry teams for the other quarter final at the venue; they also had to negotiate one of the biggest marches of the year in Derry where the Royal Black Preceptory march had closed off most of the city centre; resulting in players and supporters having to find detours and the game's throw in being delayed by ten minutes.

Despite the delay at the start, there were no delays in the chances at the start of the game, with a scoring opportunity in each of the opening four minutes; however after two wides from Greenlough and one from Claudy, it was fourth time lucky as Claudy opened the scoring with a point.

Claudy followed up with two wides, but Niall Loughlin cut in past his marker and pointed Greenlough's first in the tenth minute as both teams looked nervy to begin with.

Four wides were then shared evenly between the sides in the next five minutes as neither team could find their range, but then from a short kick-out following the fourth of those wides, Claudy worked the ball the length of the field before the ball was placed past the Greenlough defence and 'keeper into the back of the net.

Claudy tagged on three points in four minutes to lead by six with ten of the first half remaining. The Mitchell's could have went further ahead still adding three more to their eventually eight first half wides, before the break.

Greenlough had chances to respond but then it was time for the second reference to black for the day, when Niall Bradley was wrongly shown a black card for a tackle on his man. The rules say a black card is for 'Deliberate pull down, trip, or body collide with opponent, or abusive language to team mate or opponent, or remonstrate aggressively with Match Official'. Niall tackled his man from the side with a rough tackle, which merited a yellow or tick depending on the view of the official, but wasn't a cynical tackle as written in the rules, so shouldn't have been a black.

Thomas McCann replaced Niall, at the next break in play, but in the mean time Vincent McDonnell pulled off a good save to keep six in it at the break.
Half-Time: Greenlough 0-01 Claudy 1-04

Greenlough were first on the pitch after the break, and were quickest off the mark with a Brian McCallion point after twenty two seconds; only for Claudy however to hit back within a minute with their first of the second half.

When Niall Loughlin was fouled two minutes later, Enda Lynn pointed from the free, only for Claudy to respond almost immediately again.

Niall Loughlin then scored his second of the game when he collected a pass from James McCallion, then turned inside and took on a number of players before firing over.

When it looked like Greenlough were coming into the game more Claudy hit back again with two points in a minute, the first from a free as Greenlough dropped two shots short.

Greenlough then had a goal chance saved in the 41st minute, but Justin Madden then raided forward from full back to fire over.

Again the St Oliver Plunkett's men looked as though they were getting on top, and hit two points in a minute, the first from a free by Ryan Tohill pointed from a free after Enda Lynn had been pulled down by the Claudy centre-half-forward; and while the foul was a text book definition of cynical tackle and merited a black card, the player only received a yellow.

However Greenlough carried on and Enda Lynn pointed the second of the two quick points with the outside of the boot, to close the gap to four. But then in the 46th minute probably the score that put it beyond Greenlough. After a good move up the field broke down, Claudy picked up the ball up in their own '45 and moved the ball quickly up the field, where their forward blasted into the top corner of the net, putting seven points in it with 14 minutes remaining of normal time.

Rocked by the score Greenlough regrouped and Enda Lynn pointed again, this time from a free after he had been fouled again by the same player who should have seen black earlier.

The St Oliver Plunkett's men refused to give up and hit another point in the 52nd minute to bring it back to five, only for Claudy to respond with another two points in the 55th minute to restore the gap to seven with five minute on normal time, plus injury time remaining.

Greenlough did try to push for scores, but on a number of occasions took the wrong options and lost possession at the crucial time while also seeing a goal chance go narrowly wide. Claudy also made sure to foul further out and then pack the defence to deny Greenlough any scoring chances.

Connor Madden pulled one back in the 58th minute before sub Matthew Bradley scored and Enda Lynn pointed from a free in injury time. But it was too little too late as the full time whistle blew with Claudy four ahead; ending Greenlough championship interests for another year.
Full-Time: Greenlough 0-12 Claudy 2-10

A disappointing end to the championship campaign, where the damage was done in the first half with only a point scored, while in the second half the chances weren't taken when Claudy got the goal at a crucial stage. Greenlough's season isn't over quite yet, with the seniors still in the league play-offs. Details and opponents are yet to be confirmed and will likely depend on the completion of the Championship.

Team and Scorers: Vincent McDonnell, Paul Quinn, Justin Madden 0-1, Christopher Lagan, Christopher Kearney, Joseph Kearney, James McCallion, Brian O'Neill, Niall Bradley, Stefan Lynn, Enda Lynn 0-4 (3f), Connor Madden 0-1, Brian McCallion 0-1, Niall Loughlin 0-2, Ryan Tohill 0-2 (1f). Subs: Thomas McCann for N Bradley (Black card - 29 min), John Og McPeake for B O'Neill (50 min), Matthew Bradley 0-1 for J Madden (52 min), Michael Clarke, Christopher Maguire, Eoin Connolly, Ciaran Cassidy, Gary Loughlin, Niall Kearney. 

Clapping at the Lough and 10k Run - The Cow Clap draw has been postponed until Sunday 7th September, when there will be a 10k & 5K Run. Registration from 12 noon to 12.50pm; Run commences at 1pm; Men, Women and Children of all ages welcome from everywhere. Entry £5. Cow Clap event from 12 noon. Tickets still available at £5 each. Prize £1000.

Greenlough Fight Night - Greenlough GAC are proposing organising a Fight Night to take place on the 8th November 2014. There will be a minimum of 10 bouts, each one will be 3 by 1 minute rounds. Therefore we need a minimum of 20 people to take part. If you volunteer to fight there will be an 8 week training programme which will be 2 nights a week in Toome at a cost of £2.00 per session. This will commence at the end of August/start of September. Also each fighter will have to get a certain amount of sponsorship which is still to be determined. Anyone interested please contact Connor Madden(07866671491) by the 30th June to determine if it is feasible to run the event.

Lotto Results 25/08/14 - Letters: B H R S. Jackpot £2950 - not won. £25 Winners - Danielle Birt, Clady & Conla Bradley, Clady. Jackpot for 01/09/14: £3000. NB: Please buy a ticket from any of the sellers or local outlets, or return your lotto envelopes to the box provided or sellers. Thank you for your support.

More club details: www.greenloughgac.com or GreenloughGAC on Facebook, or @GreenloughGAC on Twitter.​

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