*Naomh Eoin players celebrate at the final whistle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
NAOMH EOIN have qualified for the TUS Clare IFC final for the first time after edging out Clondegad in the first of the intermediate semi-finals.
Naomh Eoin 0-12
Clondegad 1-8
Venue: Cooraclare
Captain Owen Lynch struck the winning free with sixty three minutes played to send Naomh Eoin into a first intermediate championship final. It’s been a year where the club with players from Cross and Kilbaha have marked fifty years since their foundation but the celebrations are not over yet, with a big day out in a fortnight.
To simplify the entire contest, Naomh Eoin kicked ten points when playing with the aid of the wind in the second half and Clondegad only hit 0-4 and of this only one score from play. Aside from this, the men from the Loop Head Peninsula were more direct with their play and ran with a greater purpose when in possession.
It is the second time they have defeated Clondegad in this year’s championship, it finished 4-6 2-6 when they met in Miltown Malbay in the first round of the championship.
Gavin Magner opened the scoring with three minutes played, the experienced midfielder producing a volley to send the ball over the bar and to put Naomh Eoin in front. Clondegad replied with a mark from Cian Kirby and a free from Barry Toner, only for Niall Bonfil to send an effort narrowly above the crossbar to level matters on eight minutes.
Bonfil’s white flag was their last score of the opening half with Clondegad pointing via another Toner free and a well-taken Colm Meaney score. They had further chances to extend their advantage but Cormac Reidy spurned a scoreable opportunity and Seán O’Leary had an effort drop short in the closing stages of the half.
With a margin of just two points between the sides at half time, warning signs should have been flashing for Clondegad while Naomh Eoin would certainly have been content with their lot by this juncture.
On the restart, Naomh Eoin had the first two scoring chances but missed them both. Barry Toner extended the distance to three points with his first score from play but last year’s beaten semi-finalists hit back with the next three scores via Sean Bonfil, Owen Lynch and Odhran Lynch to level matters. An excellent interception in the air from Adam Haugh on a Declan O’Loughlin kickout allowed Naomh Eoin regain possession for their fifth point which was scored by Odhran Lynch. The sides remained level with Toner and Owen Lynch trading scores at either end.
A crucial goal arrived on the forty third minute when substitute Daniel Costelloe put the ball in the back of the net for Clondegad. Sean Bonfil coughed up possession straight to Gearoid ‘Gudgy’ O’Connell when kicking the ball directly to the former Clare hurler who manufactured the move which ended with Costelloe hitting the major to give Clondegad an invaluable three point advantage entering the final quarter.
However, there was no sign of Clondegad kicking on from this and instead Naomh Eoin hit the next four points to put their noses in front. Substitute Seamus Boland certainly made a mark, hitting a point with his first touch and winning a free with his second which was later moved forward for dissent and converted by Owen Lynch. Conor Magner nailed a 45m free to have them ahead by one with fifty four minutes played.
Two Tones frees in succession steadied Clondegad and they regained the lead with fifty eight minutes played. They were reduced to fourteen when Cillian Gavin was shown a black card for cynical fouling, the resulting free saw Owen Lynch equalise with sixty one minutes on the clock.
Lynch stepped up on sixty two minutes to put Naomh Eoin in front, nailing a free in front of a section of the Clondegad crowd and he made sure to turn around to the more vocal contingent after splitting the posts.
Four minutes of additional time were signaled and entering the fifth Clondegad were awarded a free within scoring distance. Barry Toner who had managed to gain a few extra yards with the majority of his spot kicks was this time cautioned by linesman John O’Connell, his effort didn’t hit the target and while one umpire signaled for a 45, the referee Barry Kelly instead blew the final whistle.
There may be cause for Clondegad to crib over this particular decision but when they step back and assess the entire contest, they’ll have to admit the better team overall came out on top. Some of their key threats such as Sean McAllister in midfield were curbed while they were bottled up and restricted from moving forward at pace which enabled the Naomh Eoin defence to snuff out any bit of danger which came their way. A second season at intermediate awaits James Murrihy’s side who never really caught fire in this year’s championship. The fact that they are able to list a panel of 42 is a huge plus for the Ballynacally side who were minus the services of Podge McMahon, a forward who certainly would have ensured they kicked more than 1-3 from play.
When the opportunity arises to split open an opposing defence, Naomh Eoin are able to capitalise, this of course is aided by their direct and purposeful approach which is a breath of fresh air in an overly systematic club scene in Clare. Both Odhran Lynch and Niall Bonfil in particular excelled at the direct running while Adam Haugh had a stormer of a game for Barry Harte’s side with Seamus Boland, Conor Magner and Owen Lynch also impressing. They coughed up silly frees, Mark McQuaid notably giving away two in the second half to allow Barry Toner keep Clondegad’s account ticking over, as was evident from his teammates around him, they are aware that every score matters regardless of at which end. It’s a fifth championship win in five outings but the biggest test is yet to come for Naomh Eoin.
Scorers Naomh Eoin: Owen Lynch (0-6 5f), G Magner (0-1), N Bonfil (0-1), S Bonfil (0-1), Odhran Lynch (0-1), S Boland (0-1), C Magner (0-1 1’45)
Scorers Clondegad: B Toner (0-6 4f), D Costelloe (1-0), C Kirby (0-1 1’M), C Meaney (0-1)
Naomh Eoin:
1: Sean Roche
17: Declan Keniry
3: Tomás Bonfil
4: Conor Tevlin
5: Adam Haugh
2: Adam Foley
6: Conor Magner
7: Mark McQuaid
9: Gavin Magner
8: Sean Bonfil
12: Eoin Hanrahan
11: Odhran Lynch
10: Fergal Keane
15: Owen Lynch
14: Niall Bonfil
Subs:
18: Seamus Boland for G Magner (46)
13: Gearoid Lynch for Foley (56)
Clondegad:
1: Declan O’Loughlin
6: Brian Casey
3: Brian Murphy
11: Ryan Jennings
27: Cormac Reidy
4: Peter Casey
24: Gearoid O’Connell
8: Sean McAllister
13: Cillian Brennan
9: Diarmuid O’Neill
19: Colm Meaney
10: Cillian Gavin
7: Barry Toner
14: Seán O’Leary
26: Cian Kirby
Subs:
25: Daniel Costelloe for O’Leary (42)
21: Colin McNeilis for O’Connell (48)
31: Joe Neylon for O’Neill (58)
15: Mossy Gavin for Jennings (60)
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)
