O'Neill on song as Clonbullogue take Gracefield out again

KEITH O'Neill did what Gracefield needed from their star player as he cut loose in their Senior “B” Football Championship quarter-final at Bracknagh on Sunday last.

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior “B” Football Championship quarter-final

Clonbullogue 2-11

Gracefield: 1-11

The flying Offaly forward was close to his best, scoring 2-5 of their 2-11 with 2-3 coming from play. That was a match winning contribution on a day when Clonbullogue were pushed hard by a good Gracefield side but deserved to book their semi-final place against Daingean.

It was a repeat of last year's semi-final when Clonbullogue edged out Gracfield on an almost identical score of 2-11 to 1-10 – there was plenty of interest in that as a Gracefield appeal to the DRA had held up the championship and resulted in Clonbullogue having to play a quarter-final against Ballycumber.

The fallout from that had went over the heads of the players when they eventually clashed on the field last year and two very good footballing sides served up more entertaining fare here.

Gracefield were close here, almost forcing extra time at the end with Clonbullogue goalkeeper Cian Corcoran making some great saves.

Keith O'Neill's influence for Clonbullogue was matched by Jamie Evans for Gracefield. The former Offaly forward was on top of his game as he scored 1-2 but Clonbullogue were a bit stronger overall and had more players who played at a higher level, with Jack McEvoy and Peter Byrne doing great work for them.

Keith O'Neill's first goal gave Clonbullogue a 1-1 to 0-2 lead after eight minutes but Gracefield fought very hard in the first half, playing some fine football. They did very well to get their noses in front, 0-7 to 1-3 after 23 minutes and Keith O'Neill had to point a free to level it up at 1-5 to 0-8 at half time.

There was little in it throughout the second half but a fantastic Keith O'Neill goal changed the game, giving Clonbullogue a 2-7 to 0-9 lead. Gracefield responded with great character and an excellent Jamie Evans goal brought it back to a point, 2-7 to 1-9. Points from Keith and Ruari O'Neill got Clonbullogue three ahead and that margin separated them at the end.

There was great drama in the closing minutes with both goalkeepers making quality saves and Gracefield throwing the kitchen sink at the winners late on but Clonbullogue just held on.

The Scorers

Clonbullogue: Keith O’Neill 2-5 (0-2 Frees), Lee Dempsey 0-2, Ruairi O’Neill 0-2, Peter Byrne 0-1, Jamie Guing 0-1 (Free).

Gracefield: Jamie Evans 1-2, Craig Weldon 0-3 (0-2 Frees), Stephen Flanagan 0-3, Jack Walsh 0-2, Dan Hanlon 0-1.

The Teams

Clonbullogue: Cian Corcoran; Jamie Quinn, David Dempsey, Diarmaid O’Neill; Ryan Dempsey, Ian Curry, Harry Judge; Jack McEvoy, Peter Byrne; Lee Dempsey, Keith O’Neill, Daryl Quinn; Jamie Guing, Ruairi O’Neill, Peter Bennett (Capt.).

Subs: Cian O’Neill for Daryl Quinn (Half Time), Joe Foran for Ruairi O’Neill (inj. 55 mins).

Gracefield: Jonathan Knight; Cian Murphy, Mark Ward, Gavin Smyth; Ciaran Conroy, Jamie Evans, Corey McEvoy; Niall Smith (Capt.), Patrick Hurley; Paddy Dempsey, Stephen Flanagan, Dan Hanlon; Philip Hurley, Jack Walsh, Craig Weldon.

Subs: Tom Walsh for Paddy Dempsey (inj. 4 mins), David Hickey for Tom Walsh (49 mins), Ciaran Byrne for Craig Weldon (63 mins).

Referee: Marius Stones (Clara).