Clooney Quin U14s were beaten in the Div 2 final by Clondegad on a scoreline of 1-10 to 5-7.The final scoreline fails to reflect the closeness of a contest that Clooney Quin dominated for significant periods. Clooney Quin started brightly with well worked scores from Matthew Corbett and Jerry O’Connor within the first 5 minutes illustrating the CQ attacking potential.Clondegad responded with a point and a goal on 7 minutes against the run of play that gave notice to the way the whole game would unfold. CQ responded with a pointed free from Darragh White and a super point from play by Darragh McNamara. At the first water break the game was tied 0-4 to 1-1. After the resumption CQ pulled ahead through a point from Patrick Finneran. Goalkeeper Euan McGowan made an excellent save on 23 min to hold the advantage but Clondegad rebounded with a second goal. As with the first goal, this goal was scored following a drive through the middle by a Clondegad midfielder. Clondegad pressed their advantage, scoring another 3 points in the next 5 minutes. CQ would not lie down, however, and responded with another point by Jerry O’Connor and a fabulous team goal finished to the net by Darragh McNamara. At half time, CQ trailed by a point 1-06 to 2-04.CQ dominated again after the restart with points from Darragh White, PJ McCarthy and Darragh McNamara again wresting the advantage before Clondegad found the net once more just before the 2nd water break.The final quarter proved to be a purple patch for Clondegad as they dominated possession in the middle third and converted all their chances to score 2-3 to which CQ could only respond with a single Loughlan Carey point.Overall, Clondegad had a physical advantage in the middle of the field which they exploited fully despite honest and brave performances from Aidan Beirne and David Cahill. Clooney Quin played to their strengths for most of the game and for long periods it looked like they could win out but in the end the pressure of the Clondegad big men told. For Clooney Quin, disappointment at the result but a lot of pride and satisfaction in the performance.
CQ Final Day Squad: E McGowan, D Larkin, F O’Gara, A Moloney, E Begg, C McCarthy, D Browne, D Cahill, A Beirne, D White (0-2F), M Corbett (0-1), P Finneran (0-1), D McNamara (1-2), J O’Connor (0-2), PJ McCarthy (0-1), S Cassidy, S McNamara, C Leamy, C Hale, T O’Caoimh, L Carey (0-1), M Hassett, D Cantwell, D Walsh