Clonbullogue's Croke Park dream shattered by impressive Kilmeena

KILMEENA (MAYO) 1-18

CLONBULLOGUE 0-6

CLONBULLOGUE'S dream of running out at Croke Park on Sunday next for the All-Ireland Junior Club football final was left in tatters by a very impressive Kilmeena side in Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final at Pearse Park, Longford.

The Mayo side were in charge from start to finish and despite Clonbullogue's best efforts, they were unable to match a slick and well oiled Kilmeena side, who will look to complete the job when they take on Kerry's Gneeveguilla in the final at Croke Park next Sunday.

It was a hugely disappointing day for Clonbullogue, who never really got going, but they can take solace from the fact that they had a very good year, winning the Offaly intermediate title and adding the Leinster Junior title and they can look forward with confidence to the year ahead.

Kilmeena were very good and it was no shame for Clonbullogue to lose to such an impressive side. The Mayo men played with great cohesion and their team work was excellent. They supported each other very well, were patient in the build up and kicked some great scores.

Kilmeena constantly put pressure on the Clonbullogue man in possession, often turning over the ball and they always seemed to be able to find a man in space. In contrast Clonbullogue were unable to put the same pressure on their opponents and they found it very difficult to create any clear openings in attack.

With the wind behind them Kilmeena were quick off the mark and hit three points in the first three and a half minutes. Clonbullogue settled and cut the lead by a point and seemed to be getting a bit of a foothold in the game when Kilmeena struck for a 10th minute goal and points flowed after that as they built up a 1-12 to 0-2 half time lead.

Clonbullogue would have looked for a good start to the second half but instead Kilmeena hit the first two points and while Clonbullogue did have a good patch with three points in succession, it was an uphill battle. Kilmeena were able to pick off scores and led 1-16 to 0-5 at the three quarter stage when Clonbullogue were reduced to 14 men. The game petered out in the closing stages as Kilmeena booked their place at Croke Park.

The Mayo side were a well balanced side who attacked with pace. They scored 1-16 from play with seven different players getting on the scoresheet from play. The threat came from a variety of angles and they stretched the Clonbullogue defence at will.

Clonbullogue tried their best but they simply had to give best to a superior team on the day. David Dempsey, Eddie Bennett and Ian Curry worked hard in defence, Jack McEvoy put in a strong effort at midfield until picking up a second yellow card, while the attack was well marshalled but Keith O'Neill was always a threat.

John Keane, Niall Feehan and Ronan O'Donnell impressed in the Kilmeena defence, Jack Carney was excellent in the middle of the field while Sean Ryder, John McGlynn and Darragh Keaveney caused endless problems in attack.

Clonbullogue won the toss and elected to play against the wind in the first half. Kilmeena settled into their stride very quickly and Darragh Keaveney pointed a free after 49 seconds, quickly followed by further points from Sean Ryder and Jack Carney. Clonbullogue settled a bit after that and Ruairi O'Neill kicked their first point in the fifth minute.

However Kilmeena sprung to life again and after John McGlynn kicked a point after nine minutes, they won the subsequent kick out and Jack Carney sent the ball to Darragh Keaveney who closed in on goals and shot to the net.

Keaveney followed with a point from a free and Keith Joyce added two more, the second a goal chance when the ball broke in the square after a '45' and he blasted over the bar. Darragh Keaveney (2) and Niall Feehan added further points before Jamie Guing pointed a free for Clonbullogue. Niall Feehan and John McGlynn kicked two more for Kilmeena to give them a 1-12 to 0-2 half time lead.

Sean Ryder and Keith Joyce stretched the lead by two more in the first two minutes of the second half before Clonbullogue gave themselves a little glimmer of hope with three points in three minutes from Keith O'Neill (two, one free) and David Dempsey but they were unable to build on that and Jack Carney and John McGlynn replied for Kilmeena.

Clonbullogue lost Jack McEvoy to a second yellow card after 46 minutes and while Keith O'Neill kicked another free, Jack Carney and Niall Ryan hit late points to secure the victory for Kilmeena.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

CLONBULLOGUE: Cian Corcoran; David Dempsey, Jamie Quinn, Shane Furey; Eddie Bennett, Ian Curry, Thomas Morrissey; Jack McEvoy, Peter Bennett; Sean Foran, Ruairi O'Neill, Daryl Quinn; Keith O'Neill, Shane O'Brien; Jamie Guing. Subs. Eoghan McEvoy (for Thomas Morrissey, 21 mins), Joe Foran (for Daryl Quinn, 30 mins), Peter Byrne (for Sean Foran, 40 mins), James Byrne (for Ruairi O'Neill, 47 mins), Tommie Dempsey (for Shane O'Brien, 58 mins).

KILMEENA: Paul Groden; Chris McGlynn, John Keane, John Ryan; Niall Feehan, Stephen Staunton, Ronan O'Donnell; Jack Carney, Conor Madden; Neil Duffy, Sean Ryder, Keith Joyce; John McGlynn, Niall Ryan, Darragh Keaveney. Subs. Joey Smyth (for Keith Joyce, 44 mins), Kieran Sheridan (for Neil Duffy, 50 mins), Paddy Keane (for Stephen Staunton, 53 mins), Sean Moore (for Sean Ryder, 53 mins), James Groden (for Darragh Keaveney, 58 mins).

REFEREE: Margaret Farrelly (Cavan).

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kilmeena had a number of very strong contenders, including captain Sean Ryder and Darragh Keaveney, but midfielder Jack Carney gets the nod. He was dominant in the middle of the field, winning a lot of possession, and his driving runs forward also troubled Clonbullogue.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Kilmeena made a bright start with three points in the first four minutes. Clonbullogue had weathered the storm and seemed to be getting a foothold in the game when Kilmeena struck for a well taken 10th minute goal from Darragh Keaveney, which seemed to lift them and they quickly added points to build up an unassailable lead and Clonbullogue were always chasing the game after that.

REFEREE WATCH

Cavan referee Margaret Farrell handled the game very well. She was consistent in her application of the rules and was very strict on putting the foot in, handing out three yellow cards for that offence alone in the first half. In all she dished out eight yellows and one red and few if any of those decisions could be questioned. She was clear in her signalling and communicated well with players in a good all round performance.

TALKING POINT

A local in Longford was heard to comment “that team would beat most senior teams in Longford” and that was a measure of how impressive Kilmeena were. Their team work and footballing ability were excellent as they hit 1-16 from play and they will hope to go on and win the All-Ireland in next Sunday's final.

WHAT’S NEXT

Kilmeena advance to the All-Ireland final against Gneeveguilla of Kerry in Croke Park on Sunday next. Defeat ends Clonbullogue's great run but they can look forward to competing in the Offaly Senior B championship in 2022.

VENUE WATCH

On a cold, dry day, the Pearse Park pitch was in good condition, even if it was a bit sandy in places. There was a decent crowd present and there were plenty of stewards on duty and plenty of car parking space outside the ground, which was well organised.

STATISTICS

Wides; Kilmeena 10 (4 in first half) Clonbullogue 7 (3 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Kilmeena 2 (John McGlynn, Keith Joyce) Clonbullogue 6 (Jack McEvoy x 2, Ruairi O'Neill, Peter Byrne, James Byrne, Shane O'Brien).

Black Cards: None

Red Cards: Kilmeena 0 Clonbullogue 1 (Jack McEvoy)

THE SCORERS

Kilmeena; Darragh Keaveney (1-4, 0-2 frees), Jack Carney, John McGlynn, Keith Joyce (0-3 each), Sean Ryder and Niall Feehan (0-2 each), Niall Ryan (0-1).

Clonbullogue; Keith O'Neill (0-3, 0-2 frees), Ruairi O'Neill, Jamie Guing (free) and David Dempsey (0-1 each).