Clon Come Up Short Against Mathunas
On Saturday August 22nd, Clonakilty played Diarmuid O’Mathunas in the 2nd round robin fixture of the Carbery Jnr A Hurling Championship in good conditions at Kilbrittain.
Mathunas came out of the blocks quickly and won the early encounters to lead by 2 points to nil after 4 minutes. Young Jack Byerley did manage to score a great pt after 5 minutes.
However, despite great rearguard action by Mike Noonan, Ciaran Crowley and Eoghan Deasy, Mathunas continued to dominate proceedings for the next period of time. They hit 3 wides and 3 points to lead by 5 to 1 after 13 mins.
David Lowney gave some much needed respite with a pt on 15 after good work by Eoin Ryan. Mathunas got to 6.2 up after a pt on 16.
But now Jack O Mahony , ably assisted by Eoin McCormack started to grow into the match and despite 3 poor wides, superb work by Cian O Donovan enabled David L to score a pt on 20 mins.
This was immediately followed by a brilliant pt by Kevin Cormican set up by Cillian White. Mathunas and a subsequent Brian White free made it 7.5 after 26 before Brian scored a beauty on 27 mins.
Mathunas scored the final pt of the 1st half to leave the score at 8.6 at half time.
David O’Sullivan came on as a sub at the start of the 2nd half. Chris Kenneally looked to have put the minimum between the sides after the first 2nd half attack but the umpire inexplicably waved it wide.
Mathunas made the most of the let off to score 2 quick pts. 10.6 to Mathunas after 32 mins.
Niall Barrett did well to prevent a goal scoring chance and the ever steady Eddie Morrissey’s puck outs were starting to find their range now.
2 pts by Brian, the 2nd after outstanding work by Chris and David L brought it back to 10.8 after 38 mins.
Matt Murphy came on in the 39th min. Clon were very much in the game for the next 5 minutes but hit some very poor wides and this wastefulness was punished by Mathunas points in the 44th and 45th mins.
Jack McLoughlin was on the field now too. This was Clon’s best period in the match and Jack O Mahony scored a wonderful pt after good work by David L.
David O’Sullivan and the other defenders were really knuckling down now and Matt Murphy fed Brian for pt no. 10 for Clon.
2 pts down, 12 mins to go. Game was in the melting pot.
However, Clon’s wide count was really mounting up and it was really hurting their chance of closing the gap.
Oisin Hassett made his entrance but Mathunas ramped up the pressure and scored 4 times in the next 5 minutes to open up a sizeable gap of 6 pts.
In the last 5 minutes, Clon players emptied the tank , scored three pts through Brian (2) and Captain Jack but couldn’t prevent Mathunas winning out by 17 pts to 13.
Those last few pts could be crucial when the group standings are finalised after the last group matches on September 5th. All still to play for.
Hard luck to all the squad and the management team and assistants tonight.
Clonakilty Team
Clon’s team was E. Morrissey, N. Barrett, M. Noonan, C. O’Donovan, E. McCormack, C. Crowley, E. Deasy, C. White, J. O’Mahony, D. Lowney, B. White, C. Kenneally, J. Byerley, K. Cormican, E. Ryan.
Subs on the day were D. O’Sullivan, M. Murphy, J. McLoughlin and O. Hassett.
Scorers
Scorers were B. White 0.7 (1f), D. Lowney and J. O’Mahony 0.2 each, K Cormican and J. Byerley 0.1 each.
