Clonakilty make return in style

Clonakilty 1-13 Youghal 0-10

In a grandstand finish, highlighted by a peach of a goal from late substitute Timmy Anglin, Clon finally saw off the teak-tough challenge of Youghal in this third round permanent tsb Cork county SFC clash.

In a game that failed to reach spectacular heights, Clon always looked the more quick-thinking side but against very dogged opponents they made life extremely difficult for themselves until that finishing burst.

The impressive Paul Moylan gave Youghal the perfect start with two points in the opening minute, but admirably responding to the danger signals Clonakilty quickly found their feet. With Padraigh Griffen and Conrad Murphy severely testing the suspect Youghal defence Clon hit a purple patch after goalkeeper Pat Mackey denied Murphy what appeared to be a certain goal in the fourth minute.

Playing with flair Clon ripped Youghal apart and five points in a row from centre-forward Murphy, Griffen, Ken Meade and Griffen and Murphy again, graphically illustrated the difference in standards between the sides in the opening quarter.

But Youghal succeeded in pulling down the shutters and with most commendable grit managed to close-down their rampant opponents. Clon only managed one further score in the first-half, a point from Meade in the 24th minute, while Youghal roared back into contention with well-taken points from Conor Coleman, Brendan Coleman and Mark Walsh to level the game in the 28th minute. It was 0-6 each at the interval but seconds before the break Youghal scorned a fabulous opportunity of a goal when full forward Conor Coleman shot tamely at goalkeeper Eamonn Harte.

Clon, now with the strong wind to their backs, got off to a lightning start after the resumption with a point from corner-forward Sean Quirke in the very first attack of the second half. But once again Youghal battened down the hatches and showing great character first came back to equalise with a point from wing back Ken Dempsey and then jumped two in front courtesy of the extremely accurate Moylan.

It was now all to play for but unfortunately the proceedings became very ragged and matters were not helped by some weird decisions from referee Sean Collins. Three yellow cards were shown and there was one brief brawl involving several players near the end.

They were level for the third time before Moylan converted a free to edge Youghal back in front with 13-minutes remaining. But then Clon took control and raced out meritorious winners with Anglin’s goal sealing the seasiders’ fate and launching his side into the quarter-finals.

Scorers. Clonakilty. Timmy Anglin 1-1; C. Murphy 0-5 (0-3 from frees); P. Griffen 0-2; K. Meade 0-2; Tony Anglin, J. Connolly and S. Quirke 0-1 each.

Youghal. P. Moylan 0-5 (0-1 from free); C. Coleman 0-2; K. Dempsey, B. Coleman and M. Walsh 0-1 each.

CLONAKILTY. E. Harte; C. O'Neill, D. O'Brien, L. Lyons; N. McCarthy, D. Lyons, N. Hayes; B. Walsh, Tony Anglin; K. Meade, C. Murphy, C. O'Donovan; J. Connolly, P. Griffen, S. Quirke. Subs. T. O'Sullivan for O'Neill; Conor Murphy for O'Donovan; M. Griffen for McCarthy; C. Calnan for Quirke; Timmy Anglin for Meade.

YOUGHAL: P. Mackey; K. Coleman, P. O'Driscoll, S. Twomey; K. Dempsey, S. Forrest, A. Fox; B. Coleman, M. Walsh; S. Prim, G. O'Leary, S. Landers; M. O'Laochdha, C. Coleman, P. Moylan. Subs. E. Coleman for Landers; A. Horgan for O'Leary.

Referee: S. Collins (Carrigaline).