Wolfe Tones draw first blood in high-scoring spectacle

IN this third-round U-16 Championship game played in Clonlara on Sunday morning, Wolfe Tones collected their first points in the competition in a high-scoring and hugely entertaining match.
At the half-time whistle, Tones led 4-7 to 2-6 after playing with a slight cross-field breeze.
Three goals from full-forward Aaron Shanagher, one from a 20m free and an excellent individual effort from Brian Monaghan gave the Tones the upper hand.
Clonlara replied with two superb efforts by the excellent Ian Galvin.
On the turnover, both sides traded score for score and with 15 minutes left, the Tones led by nine points after Aaron Shanagher scored from a 20m free, adding their fifth goal of the afternoon.
At this juncture, it looked like they would run out easy winners but the hosts staged a tremendous fightback netting three times in the second half. Wolfe Tones hung on for dear life and they were very relieved to hear the full-time whistle.
For Clonlara, Fionn Larkin at centre-back, Fionn O’Brien and especially Ian Galvin impressed most.
For Wolfe Tones, Kevin Justice, Brian Monaghan, Dara Leahy, Rory Hayes, and four-goal hero Aaron Shanagher were especially to the fore.

Wolfe Tones: Cian Collopy; Cian Pettigrew, Kevin Justice, Blaine O’Sullivan; Sean Costello, Ben O’Gorman, Robbie Meaney; Brian Monaghan, Dean Devanney; Dara Leahy Aaron Divinney, Rory Hayes; Jack Cunningham, Aaron Shanagher, Ian Collins.
Clonlara: Shane McLeish; Eoin Galvin, Paul McNamara, Michael Doolan; David Fitzgerald, Fionn Larkin, Eoin O’Meara; Kevin McGuinness, Cillian Moloney; Paraic O’Loughlin, John Foley, Ian Galvin; Padraic Campbell, Fionn O’Brien, Kieran Galvin.

Cratloe   3-8

Ennistymon  2-11

CRATLOE took the lead in the first minute with a pointed free and followed with a pointed free from Michael Danagher in the seventh minute. A minute later, Liam Tierney opened the Ennistymon account but Cratloe’s Danagher then found the net to leave his side 1-2 to 0-1 in front after 10 minutes.
The North Clare side fought back with a point and then Tierney struck for their opening goal to tie up the game.
Two from Danagher and like scores from Tierney, Adam Ralph and Tony Malone left the score at 1-5 to 1-4 in favour of Ennistymon at half-time.
On resumption, they extended their lead with two pointed frees from Tierney. The North Clare outfit went on to open a five-point gap helped by a goal from Tony Malone.
Cratloe hit back helped by a goal from Eoin O’Kelly and, a minute from the end, they levelled when Gordon O’Neill found the net.
Cratloe: Eoin O’Kelly (1-0), Kevin McCourt, Richard Murray, Sean Moloney, Jamie Arthur (0-3), Caimin Deegan, Ciaran O’Connor, Ronan McMahon, Evan Gaule, Ramon Organ, Gordon O’Neill (1-1), Paidi Earls, Michael Danaher (1-4).
Sub: Keith Murray.
Ennistymon: Tomás Griffin, Pádraig Malone, Cathal Frawley, Liam Devitt, Keelan McMahon, Darren Nagle, Adam Ralph (0-1), Simon Ralph, Michael Davenport, Liam Tierney (1-8), Jack Fitzgerald, Tony Malone (1-1), Robert Flanagan.
Subs: Jason Droney, David Houlihan, Jack Devitt, Cormac O’Looney, Luke Howley.