Clonbullogue produce gooods in second half to end Gracefield's eventful year

AFTER a very substandard first half display, Clonbullogue clicked into life in the second half, getting on top in most sectors and qualifying for the Senior “B” Football Championship final for the second successive year with a deserved win over a very brave Gracefield side.

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

Clonbullogue 2-11

Gracefield 1-10

0-7 to 1-1 behind at half time, Clonbullogue looked to be in trouble, even though they had the wind advantage to come. However, they played very well in the second half as they outscored their opponents by 1-10 to 1-3 to advance to the decider, with their key players standing up to be counted when the gun was to their head.

Gracefield's DRA appeal that held up this championship meant that there was plenty of interest in this game but that didn't infiltrate through to the players, who served up a fiercely fought and entertaining game. There was a hard edge to the game with quite a few bone rattling challenges from both sides but it didn't stray across the line. It was real tough, honest football, no holds barred and it was all very enjoyable.

Gracefield displayed plenty of the toughness and fight that had been a hallmark of their club for generations but which had slipped a bit in recent years. The veteran Niall Smith really stepped up in this mark, belying his years with a tremendous shift at midfield as Gracefield dominated this sector in the first half. Even when county player Jack McEvoy took over in the second half, Smith continued to show his vast experience as he tried to haul Gracefield back into it – another former county star Ruari Allen was named among the subs but wasn't home from Australia for it and Gracefield really needed him to get over the winning line. They played Jamie Evans in a very deep role as he operated around centre half back for most of it and they should have pushed him further forward, especially when the game began to slip from them in the second half – they also could have done with getting Stephen Flanagan into a more forward role.

Gracefield were very good in the first half and a dominance between the two 45 metre lines helped them ask serious questions of Clonbullogue. In a very tentative opening period, a ninth minute goal from Jamie Guing helped Clonbullogue to a 1-1 to no score lead but amazingly they didn't score again in the half.

Credit to Gracefield for the way they played. They scored seven points without reply from the 13th minute to half time, attacked with great intensity, turned over ball and won most of the 50-50 battles. Clonbullogue struggled badly in the second quarter. They seemed rattled by Gracefield's physicality but also made mistakes and were in a very difficult position at the break.

The wind may have been a bigger factor than it seemed and it certainly seemed to grow in strength in the second half but Clonbullogue were also much better on the basics. Jack McEvoy's second half display was crucial but Keith O'Neill also began to move better, without hitting his very best form. His brother Ruari also had a brilliant second half and it was not long before the whole complexion had changed.

Four unanswered points had Clonbullogue ahead, 1-5 to 0-7 after 39 minutes. Jason Slattery levelled it up but Clonbullogue moved into fifth gear with three excellent points in a row from Keith O'Neill, Jamie Guing and Ruari O'Neill. With twelve minutes left, three points was a huge lead but Gracefield showed great character to keep in it. Jack Walsh got a free but two more quality points from Ruari O'Neill and Jack McEvoy had Gracefield back four in front, 1-10 to 0-9 with five minutes left.

Walsh got another free but also missed two scoreable ones, even into the difficult swirling wind, and these proved crucial. Gracefield's luck finally ran out when sub Lee Dempsey booted home a 58th minute goal after Jonathan Knight fumbled a Jamie Guing sideline for a 2-10 to 0-10 lead.

A scrambled goal from Philip Hurley after Lee Dempsey lost the ball on his square gave Gracefield a 60th minute lifeline but they never threatened an equalising goal and Peter Bennett's fine point deep in injury time eased Clonbullogue's nerves.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ruari O'Neill (Clonbullogue): Ruari O'Neill's ability to do the right thing, his composure on the ball and almost understated influence is very important for Clonbullogue and he produced the goods here for them. He was starved of possession at times but got two breathtaking points and used the ball very well. Jack McEvoy's second half tour-de-force was instrumental in their win and they would not have won without that while David Dempsey had a very good game in their defence. Jack Walsh and Niall Smith were immense for Gracefield.

THE SCORERS

Clonbullogue: Jamie Guing 1-1, Lee Dempsey 1-0, Jack McEvoy 0-3 (1f), Ruari O'Neill and Keith O'Neill (1f) 0-2 each, Eddie Bennett, Daryl Quinn and Peter Bennett 0-1 each.

Gracefield: Jack Walsh 0-5 (3f), Philip Hurley 1-0, Jamie Hanlon 0-2, Jason Slattery, Stephen Flanagan and Paddy Dempsey 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

CLONBULLOGUE: Cian Corcoran; Diarmaid O'Neill, Jamie Quinn, David Dempsey; Harry Judge, Peter Curry, Ian Curry; Eddie Bennett, Jack McEvoy; Daryl Quinn, Ruari O'Neill, Sean Foran; Jamie Guing, Shane O'Brien, Keith O'Neill. Subs – Ryan Dempsey for Jamie Quinn (36m), Lee Dempsey for O'Brien (37m), Eoghan Kinsella for Daryl Quinn (46m), Shane Furey for Foran (55m), Peter Bennett for Byrne (55m).

GRACEFIELD: Jonathan Knight; Patrick Hurley, Mark Ward, Gavin Smyth; Corey McEvoy, Jason Slattery, Ciaran Conroy; Niall Smith, Philip Hurley; Tom Walsh, Stephen Flanagan, Paddy Dempsey; Jamie Evans, Jack Walsh, Jamie Hanlon. Subs – Dan Hanlon for Tom Walsh, inj. (17m), Cian Murphy for Slattery (56m).

Referee – Fintan Pierce (Raheen).

REFEREE WATCH

It was a tough phyiscal game and Fintan Pierce had to be on his toes but he handled it all well.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Jamie Guing's ninth minute goal was crucial as it kept Clonbullogue ticking over during a very poor half and they could have been in real trouble only for it.

VENUE WATCH

O'Connor Park was in excellent shape.

WHAT'S NEXT

Clonbullogue are back in the final.

STATISTICS

Wides: Clonbullogue – 5 (3 in first half); Gracefield – 7 (5 in first half).

Yellow cards: Clonbullogue – 4 (Peter Byrne, Jack McEvoy, Jamie Guing, Eoghan Kinsella); Gracefield – 3 (Gavin Smyth, Niall Smith, Paddy Dempsey).

Black cards: Clonbullogue – 0; Gracefield – 1 (Cian Murphy).

Red cards: 0.