Emmets End with Ulster Exit

Clonmores lenghthy Championship run finally came to an end on Sunday in the Ulster Junior Final at Brewster Park, Enniskillen, seen off by a superior side of Monaghan Harps.     Clonmore contested the final under somewhat difficult circumstances, given the tragic death of Niamh McKee, a fifteen year old member of the ladies squad the previous Sunday night. In a community as minute as Clonmore such tragedies inevitably touch everyone and although it can’t be argued that the Clonmore lads didn’t give it their best shot, it will undoubtedly have been on the minds of players going into the game. As a mark of respect a minutes silence was observed before the game.

From the throw in it was Monaghan who launched the first attack, with Clonmores defence caught cold, they fired over two quick points from play, they added another soon after from a free before a strong surging run by a half back put them four points up after ten minutes. Harps could easily have been reduced to 14 when a player was lucky to escape with just a yellow following a foul on James Grimley, an isolated incident in a game played in a sporting manner. Brendan Donaghy was strongest for the Emmets at this stage, however Clonmore found themselves constantly thwarted by the Monaghan defence who always seemed to have an extra man to smother Clonmore attacks.

It was 15 minutes before Clonmore got onto the scoresheet with a free from Brendan Donaghy. Clonmore built on this immediately when an accurate ball from James Fox into Jack Smyth was laid off to Raymond McBennett to fire over. Monaghan replied with a score from play, and when Raymond Convie was rather harshly adjudged to have picked off the ground, they added another from the resulting free.

Convie brothers Chris and Raymond, showed lots of drive and energy to constantly push Clonmore forward, a free won by Raymond was converted by James Grimley. Clonmore were now settling into the game and the full back line of Gary Nugent, Joe Donahgy and Dominic McGeown were comfortably dealing with the Farney forwards. Convie again surging forward was fouled with Brendan Donaghy converting the free. Clonmore hearts stopped when Monaghan attacked, with the keeper beaten it seemed certain to end in a three pointer but somehow from somewhere Joe Donaghy managed to punch wide. Clonmore finished the half upbeat, and on a scoreline of 0.6 to 0.4 it was still all to play for.

Monaghan side emerged for the second half rejuvenated and immediately pushed forward in attack, a shot on goal was deflected over for a point, a point from a free was added soon after and then, full forward Shane Smith, slipped his marker to strike to the Clonmore net. With the half just five minutes old, Clonmore now found themselves seven points adrift. Clonmore then made a number of changes to combat a change of tactics by the opposition, Ciaran Beagan came in for Shane McGeown, Joe McNamee for James Donaghy and Aidan Daly for Raymie McBennett. Clonmore to their credit dug deep and never dropped the challenge, a Jack Smyth shot on goal was somehow kept out by the keeper before Grimley pointed from a free, the Monaghan men replied with a conversion of their own. Declan O’Neill combined with brother in law Chris Convie to point from play but it seemed that every time Clonmore reduced the deficit, their opponents were able to reply almost immediately with more precise and clinical use of the ball. Joe Prunty replaced Deccy O’Neill as The Emmets tried a last throw of the dice, but the Monaghan confidence was now riding high as their top scorer Nicholas Treanor pointed another free. Brendan Donaghy and James Grimley combined well for the latter to score. On the hour Monaghan rounded up the scoring with a point from play to leave the final score Monaghan Harps 1.12, Clonmore Robert Emmets 0.7

The lads were understandably disappointed at the final whistle however they realised that whilst had they come up against a side who were better in most sections of the field, they had achieved more in the season than they could have dreamt of at the start of the year. For Clonmore to be disappointed at losing an Ulster Final is a hell of a turnaround for a Club which was on the brink of folding not very long ago.

Well done lads, your Club and community are proud of each and every one of you.
Congratulations to Monaghan Harps on their win in their Centenary year and best of luck for the All Ireland competition.

Clonmore Team; E.Cullen, G.Nugent, J.Donaghy, D.McGeown, D.O’Neill, P.McNamee, J.Grimley, J.Fox, R.Convie, C.Convie, S.McGeown, J.Grimley, R.McBennett, J.Smyth, B.Donaghy. Subs used; C.Beagan, J.McNamee, A.Daly, J.Prunty.