Clonoe forced to dig deep by gritty Naomh Eoghan

Naomh Eoghan 1-8 Clonoe 0-15

A FOUR point win maintained Clonoe’s unbeaten record in ACL Division Two but how Naomh Eoghan will rue missed opportunities over the hour.

While Tommy Taggart bagged 0-10 including one two pointer for the visitors, the hosts missed two potential two-point frees, whilst Michael O’Neill made a stunning save to deny Piaras McSorley a goal in the latter stages.

While a swirling breeze made life difficult for both sides, Clonoe dominated at times. However it was Naomh Eoghan who showed real grit and when Conor Langan stabbed in a goal they trailed by just two points.

That said, the red card for the influential Kevin Gallagher – a second yellow – was a big blow and the O’Rahilly’s pulled away in the main thanks to the quality of Dan McNulty and the accuracy of Taggart.

Pressing the early kick outs from Connor Traynor, Clonoe took charge through the opening 20 minutes with the home defence stretched several times. Shea Coney and Darragh Mc Grath pressed on the wings and midfielders Declan Mc Clure and Ryan Morrow pulled the strings that allowed Clonoe to boss proceedings.

Taggart hit three points and Ronan Corey was on target as well for Clonoe and it was credit to the home defence spearheaded by Calum Maguire and Damien Coyle that they failed to build on that tally.

Langan and then a marvellous two-point free from goalkeeper Traynor closed the gap to one and as Taggart nudged Clonoe two clear it was the keeper who levelled things with another double.

Naomh Eoghan certainly improved but their final pass let them down at times with Fintan Mc Clure steering over a fine point as the game hit the break, the East Tyrone side a point ahead.

Rian McCabe sent big Dan McNulty in for an early second half point as Eoin Devine and Mc Clure exchanged scores with both teams enjoying plenty of ball on a good sod; Devine and Jake McHugh tireless at centre field for the hosts. Langan dropped over a free to close the gap to one on 40 minutes before Devine carved an opening, avoiding a wall of defenders to punch over an equalising point.

Naomh Eoghan struggled to get a rhythm going heading into the final quarter as Taggart landed 0-5, including a mammoth two pointer from well outside the arc. Namoh Eoghan substitute Aidan Mc Sorley, fresh from his time in Australia, teed up Langan for a goal but with two points the deficit they then missed two long rangers.

Late points, interspersed by the second yellow for Gallager, eased the Rahilly’s to the four point win on an afternoon when they rode their luck.

Scorers

Naomh Eoghan: Conor Langan 1-2, Connor Traynor 0-4 (2 T/P) Eoin Devine 0-2

Clonoe: Tommy Taggart 0-10 (1 T/P) Ronan Corey, Fintan Mc Clure, Dan Mc Nulty, Declan Mc Clure and James Taggart 0-1 each

Teams

Naomh Eoghan; Connor Traynor, Gary Eoin Mayse, Calum Maguire, Gary Duffy, Conal Mc Conomy, Damien Coyle, Ciaran Mc Sorley, Jake Mc Hugh, Eoin Devine, Dabhog McNamee, Kevin Gallagher, Eamonn Mc Govern, Turlough Mc Namee, Tiarnan Mayse, Conor Langan. Subs Aidan McSorley for Mc Namee, Ryan Mayse for McGovern, Piaras McSorley for Coyle, Connor Breen for Maguire.

Clonoe: Michael O’Neill, James Taggart, Conall Coyle, Shane Hughes, Shea Coney, Ronan Corey, Darragh McGrath, Declan McClure, Ryan Morrow, Rhys Donnelly, Dan McNulty, Ciaran Corr, Tommy Taggart, Fintan McClure, Rian Mc Cabe. Subs Eoghain Mansell For Donnelly, Padraig Hanna for Coney, Ryan Quinn for McNulty

Referee: Garry Gormley (Drumquin)