By Jack Hennessy
23/07/2013
COUNTY NOVICE SHIELD. Asdee 2-21 Clounmacon 2-15. (AET)
It took almost 140 minutes of hard graft and a bit of luck for the pre-match favourities Asdee to see off the gritty challenge presented by a very much understrength Clounmacon side in the Quarter Final of the County Novice Shield which also doubled up for the Scully Cup (local tournament) played at Walsh Park, Asdee on Sunday last,(July 21st). Certainly for much of this well contested encounter the visitors had plenty possession and but for some poor shooting from very scoreable positions which included 3 glorious goal opportunities that was easier to put away rather kicking wide of the mark; there is no doubt but they could have won the day.
However it was experience that came to the home sides rescue in the end but can also count themselves very lucky to get over the line against a team that were struggling for numbers prior to the start of the game. Before the game got underway a minutes silence was observed for the late Johnny McEnery of Moyvane whose son is a member of the Clounmacon Club. Eoin Kennedy and Paudie Quinn exchanged early points but in the 8th minute a clumsy tackle on Fintan McEnery led to a penalty which was dispatched to the net by Chris Lyons. Paudie Quinn was causing all kinds of problems for the Asdee defence as his side led 1-3 to 0-4 after 18mts.
A well worked move by Asdee who were in fairness struggling to keep up with their determined opponents but Eoin Kennedy got on the end to smash home a goal putting his side ahead by the 20th mt. a lead they held and led at the break by 1-8 to Clounmacons 1-5. By the 15th mt on resumption it was the home side who were in front; 1-11 to 1-6 but this could have been a lot different if Clounmacon who were contesting every ball with great vigour had taken their scoring opportunities which included the already mentioned goal chances.
By the 28th mt. and leading by a 3pt margin it looked as if the home side would hold on; however a 45 awarded in the dying mts saw Paudie Quinn float the ball in and Seamus Twomey rose highest in a crowded goalmouth to somehow find the net and force the game into extra time; and I suppose looking back it was fully deserved for a wasteful Clounmacon side. Asdee 1-14 Clounmacon 2-11.
Asdee re-jigged their team for the extra time and it certainly helped but they were still having to struggle to keep their opponents at bay and at the break at this stage of the game Asdee led 1-17 to 2-12. for the second period it was still close but a superb goal from Eoin Kennedy in the 76th mt. was the vital score that saw Asdee just about get over the line and secure a County Novice Shield Semi Final clash with Renard.
On the day with Paudie Quinn registering 8pts had a fine game and was ably assisted by Brendan Griffin, Kieran O Mahony, Seamus Twomey, Liam O Sullivan and Jack Twomey. For the winners; Eoin Kennedy impressed as did Darren Russell, John Doran, Micheal Walsh, Owen Tydings and Michael Tydings. After the game Club Chairman Padraig Vallelly was on hand to present Asdee captain Eoin O Carroll with the Scully Cup.Teams and scorers.
Asdee; Conor Coughlan, Sean Keane, Brian Coughlan, Eoin O Carroll, Con Carmody, Noel Long, Kieran Kelly, 1pt, John Doran, 2pts, David O Connor, Michael Tydings, 1pt, Darren Russell, 2pts, Micheal Walsh, 2pts, Mike Breen, 3pts, Eoin Tydings, 5pts, Eoin Kennedy, 2-4. Subs Charles Dalton, Martin Collins, Dinny Dalton, (all used). Clounmacon. Brian Carty, Pa Burns, Brendan Griffin, Joe Nestor, Fintan McEnery, 2pts, Kieran O Mahony, Tom O Sullivan, Tom McCarthy, Liam O Sullivan, Timmy Kelly, Paudie Quinn, 8pts, Jack Twomey, 2pts, Mike Collins, Seamus Twomey, 1-2, Chris Lyons, 1-2. Sub John Walsh for Mike Collins. Referee Billy McElligott, Listowel Emmets.