With the pitch in good shape and a large crowd in attendance Clonmore played host to Madden on Saturday evening due to the U21 match on Sunday.

Hard luck to all the lads and hopefully there are better days to come in the orange jersey.

Clonmore’s game was all about a difference of five points. Without three players on county duty this match required the others to do that bit more. The first half got off to a good start with Raymie McBennett converting a Stephen Donaghy free on two minutes. Tony and D McGeown were involved in play before Madden converted their first free two minutes later. Raymie’s pass in to Aidan Daly whose jinking run saw Stephen’s shot blocked for a 45 which wasn’t converted. Tony then converted another S.Donaghy free on six minutes. Paul McNamee and James Fox got the ball up the field to Jack Smith for a one two with Aidan but Madden defence came away with it. Ruarí Cunningham, Gerard Molloy and D McGeown were making things tough for the Madden forwards, a Madden free was followed by a wide, and Clonmore replied in kind. Aidan Daly’s shot was put out for a 45 which went wide, Ruari Cunningham and Joe Donaghy pressured Madden to force another wide. Ciaran Began was tracking back to good effect in defence. Stephen again in the thick of it won another free and Raymie put it over the bar, with eleven minutes left on the clock. John Dynes put Ciaran Began though and his pass found Raymie whose high shot looked to be on target but hit the post. D McGeown gave the ball to Tony whose pass across the face of goal found Ruarí who put another point on the board. Tony now back out the field defending along with Ruarí and and Joe, helped another attack which ended in a wide. Stephen Donaghy found himself with space in front of goal and with time to pick his spot he opted for the safety of a point, maybe in hindsight he should have backed himself for the goal. This left Clonmore five points up with two minutes to go, in those two minutes Madden got two points with one from play. They also had a ball played across the box but Clonmore dealt with it well, to leave it 6 – 3.

A long range Madden shot was watched go wide, before pointing on thirty two minutes. Ciaran Began and D McGeown and James Fox were on the attack before being turned over, but the defence forced a wide. Jack Smith under pressure couldn’t find the target, John Dynes won the ball around the middle and Paul McNamee put a long ball into the square, with no one able to keep it in play. Madden then found themselves in front of goal and their path was well blocked by Stephen Grimley coming out bravely to meet the man. The inevitable collision was deemed a foul and the penalty was well taken. Brian Donaghy came in for Aidan Daly, D McGeown was ever alert in defence and the keeper did well to stop a Madden shot at goal, before they pointed. It was all one way traffic, with the ball not getting out of the Clonmore half. Raymie McBennett now back in defence was getting through a lot of work and helped with Madden’s next two wides. Two more Madden points with ten minute to go left Clonmore wondering how to get back in the game, a free came and after several well strung together passes James Fox got the ball again and had the confidence to put the ball over from a tight angle, all of a sudden the heads were up and after some good play with five minutes to go Tony converted a free. Madden though were still in their groove and finished with two points. Marty Convie came in for Ruarí. Raymie blocked a shot before Madden hit a late wide. Five points down at the end of the match and Clonmore will have to do some analysis as to what went so well and what went so wrong. With the defeat taken as a learning experience it has the potential to show the team weaknesses to improve on.

The B season began at home last Wednesday at seven o’clock. Clann Eireann ran out winners by five points but Clonmore were there or there about for much of the match. There were some excellent performances by the regular players and also from those who don’t feature on the first team. Check Tuesday’s paper for fixtures. Last weeks lotto winners were JG Grimley, O Casey, M Mullen. No ladies training this week due to the guest tea, keep in touch for next weeks’s time and date. Monthly meeting Monday 30th at 9pm sharp.