Laois soccer derby sees Mountmellick collide with Clonaslee

Mountmellick United have extended their lead at the top of Division 1 following an impressive victory over Clonaslee United on Sunday afternoon. Two goals from Coss and one from Thomas gave their side all three points.

But the scoreline does not tell the full story of the game; and hosts, Clonaslee United will in fact be disappointed not to have earned a draw.

Mountmellick Utd 3

Clonaslee Utd 0

Mountmellick started the day top of table, two points ahead of third-place Clonaslee, but having played a game more. It was a bitterly cold, but beautifully sunny morning, with a rock-solid pitch underfoot, which was given the go-ahead after a thorough inspection.

Paddy Hyland set the tone early with a crunching tackle on Colm Coss that saw the Clonaslee man booked after just four minutes. The hosts created a wonder chance in the 10th minute when Hyland played in Niall Hogan; the winger whipped in a great ball, but James McRedmond saw his effort go just over the bar.

Ten minutes later and Mountmellick had their first big chance when Coss got on the end of the lovely pass from Owen Thomas. Coss used his strength to hold off James Dunne and got the shot away, but also sent his effort over the crossbar.

Thomas picked up a booking on the half-hour mark, as he and Paddy Hyland got to know one another. But five minutes later it was Thomas who broke the deadlock, firing the ball through a crowded penalty box, past Seamus Rosney and into the net.

Jim Scully almost doubled the lead just before half time, but he could only hit the post after the ball was fizzed into the box by Ryan Conron. The first half was a wonderfully fiesty affair - physical, yes, but played in a great spirit. 1-0 to the visitors at the break.

An incredible Bob Downey free kick from the left sideline forced an equally incredible save from Mick Spain to keep the ball out of the net five minutes after the restart. The second half continued where the first let off - a physical battle in midfield, with both sides playing positive, passing football. Downey forced another good save out of Spain in the 65th minute as Clonaslee continued to search for an equaliser.

Mountmellick introduced Eoin George at half time, who came on wide on the left and had by far his side's best chances in the third quarter. With 20 minutes to go, Clonaslee hit the visitors with a great counter-attack; Paddy Hyland found himself one-on-one with Mick Spain, but failed to hit the target.

Mountmellick weathered the storm and doubled their lead in the 75th minute. Colm Coss collected the ball on the edge of the box, turned the defender and got his shot away, hitting the upright on its way into the net. Robbie Hibbitts replaced Mark Grennan right after the goal. He was barely on the pitch two minutes when he played a delightful ball into Coss who got his second goal to make it 3-0.

With six minutes remaining, DJ Callaghan received his marching orders, shown a second yellow for lashing out at Owen Thomas. Thomas was a thorn in the side of Clonaslee all afternoon and deserved to be on the winning side. But the scoreline certainly flatters Mountmellick, who were never three goals better than Clonaslee.