Last May Clonmore played Cross seconds at home and came away with a draw. On Sunday we travelled to Cross with a team little changed from May. The run of play was also similar with Cross getting an early lead and Clonmore coming back. Only this time it was Clonmore who wanted the draw at the final whistle. There was some good play in the first half with encouraging displays from Marty Convie, Brendan Donaghy and Stephen Donaghy, more on Stephen later. John and James Grimley are both danger men for Clonmore and excellent passers of the ball but just couldn’t get the ball they needed. Maybe the conditions underfoot played their part, it is disheartening to watch and see the ball worked up the field but the attack breakdown in the danger zone. There is no doubt that everyone wants to give their best at all times, but when it all takes place in an hour, common or garden mistakes are amplified. Both sides had a few frees and both sides converted them well, as usual Clonmore’s free takers made it look easy. Half time score Cross II 0-8 Clonmore 0-5.

Clonmore’s young players all were excellent, in particular James and Daniel Mullen who weren’t afraid of a much more physical team, keep it up. Ruairi Cunningham played a deeper game and moved the ball well combined with good defence. John Grimley hit some excellent scores from difficult areas as did the evergreen Raymond Convie. Cross got through Clonmore’s defence and blasted the ball of the post, a close call. To their credit they moved the ball well and had reliable scorers on each wing. Brendan Donaghy was good in the middle of the field and as is to be expected of a county player was a class above the rest. Yet man of the match would have to go to Stephen Donaghy, who tirelessly tackled, intercepted, attacked, fielded, won breaking ball and basically never said die for sixty minutes. Maybe this should be the norm rather than the exception for every player but it isn’t always so. In fairness Joe Donaghy was also a key figure along with the reliable D and Tony McGeown. The whole team played well at times and if it all came together for sixty minutes the results would speak for themselves. In the second half Clonmore came to life and were excellent at moving the ball up the field with accurate short and long passing. Paul Hamill and Cathal Cullen came on for Marty Convie (injury) and Daniel Mullen. With five minutes to go Stephen Donaghy ran through two waiting cross men and intercepted the ball. James Grimley got on the end of it and smashed it to the back of the net. This left Clonmore within a point and we had a couple of chances to draw the match but hit two wides. Cross II 0-15 Clonmore 1-11. Things are still in the air at the bottom of the table, this week the focus is our first round championship match v Madden, all support is welcome. Good luck lads, “you can do it”.

Lotto continues and tickets can be purchased from any of the sellers, just grab one. The ladies have ended their competitive season more details from James McBennett and Mary O’Hagan. With the poor weather we have not done any more work on the hall but the blocks are on site.