Clooney/Quin 0-17  -  O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-10 at Sixmilebridge

IN the end, a comfortable seven point win was enough to see Clooney/Quin race into the driving seat of their group ahead of the tough challenges against Clarecastle and Kilmaley.
On Friday evening, it was Fergal Lynch who started the scoring straight from the throw in, but O’Callaghan’s Mills than managed a brisk response with two points from Alan Duggan and after Clooney/Quin restored their lead, Duggan once more pushed the Mills back into control with two well taken frees.
As the game progressed, it looked like Lynch may not see the game out after taking a heavy knock midway through the opening half after he contested for possession but having received attention, he regained his place on the team.
A short time later, though, Lynch’s game was brought to an end when he received a straight red card for an off the ball incident and with five minutes to the break, Clooney/Quin had to shuffle their deck.
It could have got worse for Clooney/Quin. Duggan was presented with a good chance for goal, when he moved onto a breaking ball and struck for the net. Damin O’Halloran stood strong though and the Mills were unable to capitalise on the rebounding ball.
With the chance gone, Clooney/Quin took full advantage and Brian Shally edged them into a three point lead at half-time.
After the re-start, Shally stepped up to the plate again and extended their lead with three smart scores, which build a six-point foundation for the eventual winners.
With that lead, they never really looked like allowing the points escape their grasp, but the Mills knew they were fighting to retain a stake in the championship and they, too, didn’t give in.
After Michael Daffy hit the side-netting, the Mills responded by narrowing the gap, but from there, Clooney/Quin began to control the game. The Mills did enjoy some decent possession but never looked like threatening in front of the posts and as the clock ticked down and as they grew increasingly desperate for scores, they began to concede needless frees.
Clooney/Quin took advantage and despite playing with 14 men for most of the game, they eased their way to that important seven-point win.

Match Details

Clooney/Quin
Damien O’Halloran (7), Shane McNamara (7), Adrian Fleming (7), Conor Harrison (7), Patrick Reynolds (7), Cillian Duggan (7), Enda Harrison (7), Sean Conheady (8), Michael McNamara (7), Brian Shally (8) (0-11), Cathal Egan (7) (0-1), John Earls (7) (0-2), Michael Daffy (7) (0-1), Fergal Lynch (6) (0-2), Padraig Ward (7). Sub James Casey (7) for Daffy.

O’Callaghan’s Mills
Sean Torpey (7), Ger Frost (7), Conor Conway (7), Gerard Conway (7), Diarmiud Hehir (7), Pat Donellan (7) (0-1), Niall Donovan (7), Jonathan Lyons (7), James Shanahan (7) (0-2), John Cooney (7), Declan Donovan (7), Rory Neville (8) (0-2), Derek Canny (7), Alan Duggan (8) (0-5), Gary Neville (7). Subs Damien Noonan (7) for Derek Canny; Brendan Hannon (6) for Lyons.

Man of the Match
Brian Shally (Clooney/Quin)

Match Official
Seanie McMahon (Newmarket-on-Fergus)