The second half of the league began on Friday 6th July with Clonmore playing Na Daibhidigh Baile Ui hAgáin.

Clonmore started well with a James Grimley point on 2 minutes as Ballyhegan hit a wide. Raymond Convie was joining up middle of the team well. The back lines were very good all night against some strong forwards, with plenty of dispossession, tackling and good passing. Tony McGeown set up Jack Smith for a fisted goal on eight minutes. Raymond Convie’s pass saw James Grimley running at goal along a narrow angle and letting fly to the back of the net, one minute later. Davitts pointed a free on eleven minutes. Good covering back saw them register another wide then pointing. Brian Donaghy and Jack Smith combined along the sideline with Raymond Convie setting up Paul McNamee for a point. Joe Donaghy and John Dynes moved the ball out of danger well with Stephen Donaghy winning a hard earned free. Davitts converted two frees and shortly after Clonmore converted three to leave the score 2-4, 0-5.

Raymond Convie started the second half with his usual confidant runs on the ball, good to see his return. James Grimley won a free which was converted. The blues hit a long ball in which took a funny bounce to end up in Clonmore’s net, hard luck indeed. John Grimley passed to Stephen Donaghy who was doing plenty of spade work and winning another free. A moment of panic saw Clonmore give the ball away and a point ensued. A string of frees for Clonmore ended up with a conversion. A ball along the ground in front of Davitts’ goals saw Clonmore’s forwards unsighted by the backs as the ball went wide. Good pressure from the Clonmore back line saw three wides before a converted free. Then Clonmore unfortunately suffered a cruel blow as another goal went in past a hesitant back line, perhaps their only mistake of the night and it was more than punished. Gerard Molloy came in for Stephen Grimley. Stephen Donaghy, Raymond Convie, Ciaran Beagan, Brian Donaghy and Raymond McBennett continued their good effort and got a converted free. James Fox and Tony McGeown were doing their fair share of play making around the middle third. Raymond Convie won a free on the 45m line and put the ball in long, James Fox smashed it to the net ala Federer. Ballyhegan ended the match with a converted free as Gary Nugent and John Grimley kept things safe at the back. An all round good performance as Clonmore look to securing their place in the third division.

Holiday time is here and after a break, Clonmore will be away to Na Ropairí Na Madáin on 22nd July. Unfortunately there is no summer of orange and white delight, hard luck to Brendan and his county teammates. The future looks bright for Brendan in the county colours, well done on representing yourself and your club so well. Maybe there will be other representatives from Clonmore too in the years to come, let’s hope so.