Clonard 0-15 Carnaross 6-13

Carnaross were the visitors to Clonard for this second round division 5B league match on a dull mid-April evening, with both sides looking for their first points of their campaign.

Clonard were missing some eligible players following Mondays convincing victory over Boardsmill, who were rested for the upcoming match against St. Marys on Saturday night.

Clonard started confidently and registered the first three points, all from play, from midfielders Ian Campbell and Shane Dunne, sandwiched between a fine score from Eoin Connolly.  However, Carnaross cancelled that early lead out almost immediately with a goal from their former Meath star, 42-year-old full forward Ollie Murphy.

Another Carnaross goal followed as Clonard's full back line couldn't cope with either long balls or driving runs from the opposition forwards. However, Clonard did keep in touch with Ken Darby registering points from two frees, along with points from play from full forward Barry Connolly and midfielder Ian Campbell. 

But Carnaross again responded with two goals as confusion reigned in the Clonard defence, which was punished as rookie goalkeeper Eoghan Dowdall was left unprotected once more. A fifth goal followed for the visitors as they again found themselves in oceans of space inside the 14-yard line. The half time whistle sounded as Carnaross led 5-4 to 0-9.

Clonard knew that goals were needed in the "scoring" end in the second half but despite some good build-up play it didn't materialise, as the chances ended up either wide of the posts or over the bar. Cyril Treacy and David Doyle added points, with another two from the left boot of Ian Campbell as Clonard threatened to make a game of it, but just like the first half Carnaross found the net again, this time with a fine finish low to the bottom left corner, again giving Dowdall no chance.

Carnaross finished the game with three more points from their confident forwards as Clonard knew it wasn't to be their day, despite consolation scores from Barry Connolly and a free from the hands from Ian Campbell. The final whistle sounded and Carnaross went home happy on a final score line of Clonard 0-15 Carnaross 6-13. 

Clonard can only try to focus on the positives, scoring 15 points can win many games, but not when you concede 6 goals. Eoghan Connolly and Ian Campbell carried their strong first team form in to this game and mention must also go to improving performances from Ken Darby and Barry Connolly. Others will know that more training and effort is required to make an impact on Griffin's championship starting line-up.

Clonard: Eoghan Dowdall,  Ciaran Darby,  Paddy Daly,  Johnny Campbell,  Alan O'Donoghue,  Eoghan Connolly (0-1),  Stephen Connolly,  Ian Campbell (0-5 0-1f),  Shane Dunne (0-1),  Cyril Treacy (0-2),  Kenneth Darby (0-3 0-3f),  Aaron Duignan,  David Doyle (0-1) , Barry Connolly (0-2),  Chris Doyle.

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