Cloonacool beat Tourlestrane
CLOONACOOL travelled to Tourlestrane on Sunday to play the hosts in the Fureys Coaches Division 3 League, and came away with the spoils after a hard fought four- point victory.
Both sides short a number of regulars gave a wholehearted display in a contest refereed by Anthony McGowan. Cloonacool started the brightest and took the game to their opponents with points by Fergus Leonard, and Ciaran McIntyre after some good approach work by Jason and Jordan Brennan, Darren Heneghan and Kevin Gallagher.
Tourlestrane responded with some well taken scores by Barry Kirrane and Darren O’Hara who were well supported by Alan Dunne in the build- up. It took some solid defending from Neil Walsh and Padraic Murtagh in the Cloonacool full back line which was well marshalled by experienced goalkeeper Martin Quinn to keep the home forwards at bay midway through the first half. Then came the score that settled the nerves of the visitors. After a quick ball out of defence, possession was brought the length of the field, with some neat interplay by several players. Influential centre back Brian Towey beat the opposing keeper Alan Bones from close range. Tourlestrane responded immediately with a great long range point from the experienced centre forward Alan Dunne, further points from Towey and Leonard left the score at the half- time whistle 1- 5 to 0- 3 in favour of the visitors.
Cloonacool started the second half in whirlwind fashion with some fine scores from the returning James Lawrence and Gus Leonard who was ably supported by Joe Neary who covered acres of ground during the course of the contest.
The hosts then hit a purple patch with a flurry of scores from freetaker Rian Kennedy, Darren O’ Hara, and Alan Dunne to close the gap, and keep the visiting defence fully occupied for long periods in the second half, while their own backline held firm with some great defending from Cian O’ Hara, Colm McVeigh, Shane Neary and Tom Brennan. James Curley and Oisín Kennedy kept their forwards well supplied from midfield as the hosts tried to close the gap further.
Cloonacool responded with further points from James Armstrong and Fergus Leonard to stretch the lead, only for Tourlestrane to hit back with two well taken frees from Rian Kennedy.
The score that closed out the game came from lively wing back Ciaran McIntyre to leave the score at the final whistle at 1- 10 to 0- 9 in favour of the visiting team.
The teams lined out as follows: Tourlestrane - A. Bones, S. Neary, C. O’ Hara, C. McVeigh, T. Brennan, B. kirrane, N. Durkin, J. Curley, O. Kennedy, D. O’Hara, A. Dunne, R. Kennedy, R. Bailey, J. Durkin, D. Brennan.
Cloonacool: M. Quinn, N. Walsh, P. Murtagh, K. Gallagher, P. McIntyre, B. Towey, C. McIntyre, F. Leonard, J. Neary, J. Lawrence, J. Brennan, J. Brennan, D. Heneghan, J. Armstrong, C. Cunnie, C O’Dowd, A. Kilcoyne.