Clonmore led from pillar to post to ease past Leighlinbridge in this Junior B Championship game at Tinryland on Wednesday last. Clonmore got a dream start when a "45" from Mark Hennessy was fumbled by the All Blacks keeper and the alert Kevin McCarney finished to the net. There wasn't another score for 20 minutes but the writing was on the wall for L'bridge as Daragh Conway soloed from midfield to put the ball in the net for another Clonmore goal. Points from the impressive Ivan Byrne(2) and Darren McGrath put Clonmore 2-3 up before Leighlin's best player Brian Kevanagh opened their account on the stroke of half-time.
The second half saw Leighlin lift their game and points from Kavanagh (2), Gavin McKenzie and John Shaw brought the score to 2-6 to 0-5 on 42 minutes. But that was as good as it got for the All Blacks as the younger and livelier Clonmore players moved the ball well and pulled away with scores from Ivan Byrne, Alan Byrne, Darren McGrath, Kevin McCarney, Thomas Tallon and a well taken goal from sub Paddy Sullivan. Leighlin finished with a well taken penalty by John Townsend (Senior) who had replaced his son John Junior earlier in the game.
In an impressive all-round team performance, Clonmore won this game comfortably and now play Old Leighlin in the Q/Final on Wednesday, 10 August.
Team: Mark Hennessy, Ger Doyle, Clive Lambe, Mark A Byrne, Mark D Byrne, Colin Doyle, Martin Doyle, Daragh Conway (1-0), Darren McGrath (0-3, 2f), Ivan Byrne (0-3), Jamie Doyle, Alan Byrne (0-3), Thomas Tallon (0-1), Dinny Quigley, Kevin McCarney (2-3). Subs: Michael Smith, Paddy Doyle, Damien Lyons, Paddy Sullivan (1-0).
Photo: Martin Doyle & Kevin McCarney who both played very well for the Juniors in the win over L'Bridge.
