Sunday 15th saw Clonmore, sporting a fine new strip, make the short journey down the road to Ballyhegan for the first senior game of the season.

It has been a while since both teams have been in the same division, most of the present team had never played the Davitts before. Clonmore are now managed in house so to speak, and all things considered this looks to be working well. From the throw in Clonmore showed they were there to do battle, Stephen Donaghy winning the first kick out and a free. This ended with a wide, and pressure from D McGeown saw Davitts do the same. A converted free was the home side’s first score on 3 minutes. Both sides exchanged frees in the next few minutes, James Grimley was on the end of a short pass from Stephen but over carried it. Another converted free on seven minutes left it  two nil. Another free a piece followed as did wides. A long raking shot at goal was covered well by S Grimley. More wides followed for the home team before converting another free at the end of the first quarter. S Donaghy, John Grimley, Tony McGeown, John Dynes all involved before James Fox fielded and won a free. A John Grimley free was converted by James on nineteen minutes. Again the keeper did well helped by J Dynes and Gary Nugent winning a free. Ciaran Began back in defence forced another wide. Raymie Mc Bennett and Paul McNamee were both defending and J Dynes winning good possession. James Fox saw a shot blocked before another converted free for the Davitts with four minutes to go. Gerard Molloy in the backs won a free before Clonmore hit a wide. Stephen won a hop ball and Tony McGeown a free, yet despite possession the blues got another score close to the whistle. Half time score: 0-5, 0-1.

The home side were first off the mark with a point. Joe Donaghy, G Nugent, Ruarí Cunningham and D McGeown all showing well in the early stages as were J Dynes and Beano. More frees for both sides with the blues converting one. J Donaghy pressure forced a wide before a G Molloy, J Grimley and T McGeown attack saw Raymie’s shot fall short into the square. More frees and more wides followed, Jack Smith came on for Ruarí just before Ballyhegan put together a good move which caught Clonmore at sixes and sevens and ended with the ball in the back of the net. With one quarter to go the Emmets rallied and a string of Clonmore frees saw Jack pass to Raymie with the keeper to beat but unlike him he hit the side net. Clonmore now had most of the possession but also more wides. A great high catch by young Dynes and a free surely kept another score off the board but it came on the twenty minute mark. D McGeown fielding led to John Grimley winning a free, P McNamee hit the post with it but no one followed it up and it was sent back up the field. Brian Donaghy came in for G Molloy and made his mark on the game. Tony and Paul both getting frees allowed Raymie to convert. J Grimley won the kick out and a one two with Tony saw the Ballyhegan net rattled. Jack won a free from a 50/50 ball and Raymie again converted with five minutes to go. With Clonmore having their fair share of possession an easy ball into the square wasn’t dealt with and ended with an opportunistic goal in injury time. Final score 2-8 , 1-3

Clonmore play at home this week at 2pm.

Well done to Brendan and James part of the U21 Ulster champions team, the next match is Cork this weekend.

Sunday night saw the local community gather in the hall for a presentation by the CRG and GFC of the new plans for a hall and changing rooms. Dominic Molloy opened the speeches and Ethna Grimley gave background details of the project. Peter Quinn was guest speaker along with Francie Molloy MLA, and Cllr. Patsy Daly. All commended the community on undertaking this venture. Cllr Daly congratulated Clonmore on their recent successes and wished the community well in building for the younger generations. Francie Molloy talked of the vision of the project in light of the growing population and highlighted the need for inclusively of the entire community and sustainability and the need for regulations to facilitate development in rural areas. Peter Quinn spoke of the changing times where developments which were once considered impossible a few years ago were now within reason. He underlined the need for total commitment from everyone involved, and how plans can be realised with determination.

The evening ended with the grand 1 to 2000 draw the winners were: 1st prize Gareth McCann, Loughgall; Raymond Murphy, Coalisland; Gerry Cunningham, Clonmore. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who bought and sold tickets.