Clonakenny fail to match Mullinahone desire
Mullinahone 2-17
Clonakenny 0-13
Clonakenny bowed out of the Seamus O Riain Cup in Littleton on Sunday evening as Mullinahone progressed to the quarter finals from this winner takes all clash.
The South side were well worth their ten-point victory as their levels of industry, hunger and desire were at a much higher pitch than their opponents throughout an entertaining clash.
The work ethic all over the field will have greatly pleased the Mullinahone mentors, as will the clean sheet secured along with the ten-point victory after they gave away four first-half goals in their round two game against Newport.
Mullinahone were the stronger team and their dominance was greatly influenced by their strength down the middle of the field in the key positions with Paul Curran, Eoin Fennelly, Alan Curran and Mikey O’Shea exerting a major influence. Top marksman Eoin Kelly again chipped in with a big score, contributing eight points, while the two goals scored by Mullinahone were of the highest quality and came at the right time for the south side to strengthen their grip on the contest.
The first was a wonderful team goal that came 19 minutes into the game to put a real gloss on a purple patch for Mullinahone. They had already scored four unanswered points and the goal was enough to put four points between the teams.
The goal arrived as a result of a swift transition from defence to attack that involved Daire O’Brien, Gary Cronin and Michael Dunne before the finishing touch was entrusted to full forward Mikey O’Shea, who made no mistake in finishing to the net. It was a score of pure quality and it was the difference between the two teams at the break, as Mullinahone held a 1-7 to 0-7 lead.
Mullinahone pounced early in the second half to put themselves in a very strong position. Sean Curran, who had an outstanding game, scored one of his three superbly-taken three points, Eoin Kelly converted a free and the ever-dangerous Michael Dunne picked off an excellent score in a great start to the first half for Mullinahone.
In the 40th minute, Mullinahone struck to put the outcome beyond doubt. Alan Curran and Martin Kehoe combined with some excellent link-up play to create the opportunity for Michael Dunne, who accelerated away from a couple of defenders and finished with some aplomb to the net to give Mullinahone a nine-point lead.
There was no way back for Clonakenny at that stage. Cian O’Dwyer, one of their better performers, went on to score the next three points from frees but Clonakenny failed to put Mullinahone under any great pressure as they lacked a major threat in front of goal.
Mullinahone proved much too strong and they continued to work feverishly, with Colin Shelly and Kevin Walzer to the fore in ensuring there was no let-up, as Mullinahone continued to apply the pressure in the closing stages.
Clonakenny did manage to get back to within four points but Mullinahone were never greatly troubled and they scored the last six points of the game to record a ten-point victory.
Eoin Kelly picked off three of those, one was a beautiful strike from play; Michael Dunne put over two exhibition scores and substitute Jack Shelly contributed a fine score from a difficult angle, as Mullinahone cruised to a well- deserved victory.
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match:
Mullinahone: Alan Walsh, Daire O’Brien, Paul Curran, Gary Cronin (0-1), Colin Shelly, Eoin Fennelly, Kevin Walzer, Sean Curran (0-3), Alan Curran, Enda Keane, Eanna Ryan, Martin Kehoe, Eoin Kelly (0-8, 6f, 1 65), Mikey O’Shea (1-1), Michael Dunne (1-3).
Sub: Jack Shelly (0-1) for Cronin.
Clonakenny: Walter Byrne; Alexi Harty, Diarmuid Ryan, Tom Carroll, Declan Byrne, Willie Ryan, Donal Greed, John Joe Ryan (0-1), Jonathan Cody, Cian O’Dwyer (0-6, 5f) , Nicky Ryan (0-1), Matthew O’Sullivan (0-1), Michael John Carroll (0-1), Peadar Byrne, Bobby Bergin (0-3).
Sub: Eoin Nesbitt for Cody.
Referee: Phil Ryan (Knockavilla Kickhams).