McManus powers Clontibret to second title in row

A GOAL and five points by 20-year-old Conor McManus helped Clontibret to their second championship in a row, when they had three points to spare over Castleblayney at the end of an absorbing contest.

In a match that attracted a crowd of just over 4,000 to Clones yesterday, McManus got his side off to the perfect start with a goal after just two minutes. It was that goal that separated the sides at the finish, but his overall performance saw him named as man of the match. The sides were level three times during a very closely contested first half, Castleblayney playing catch-up twice, although they did briefly take the lead for the only time in the game when Ciaran Tavey pointed a free three minutes into stoppage time.

After a half-time score of Clontibret 1-4, Castleblayney 0-7, Clontibret extended their lead eight minutes into the second half with points by Fergal Mone and Conor McManus.

Castleblayney’s best chance of a goal was denied by the bottom of the upright after six minutes of the half.

Entering the final quarter, one point separated the sides, with Vincent Corey and Conor McManus then combining to tag on a brace of points inside a minute for a cushion that the champions never relinquished.

Twice Castleblayney got the margin down to two points but they lacked the penetration up front to get the goal they needed to have any chance of overturning the favourites.

Clontibret now meet Crossmaglen Rangers in the quarter final of the Ulster senior football club championship on November 4 in Monaghan.

CLONTIBRET: P McElroy, M Corey, E Ward, P Duffy, D Mooney, D Mone, Paul McGuigan, JP Mone, E Greenan, R Gorman 0-1, C McManus 1-5, Paraic McGuigan, M Hughes, V Corey 0-1, F Mone 0-3.

Subs: BO Magennis for Paraic McGuigan, R Murphy for M Hughes, D McKeown for E Greenan, J Golden for R Gorman.

CASTLEBLAYNEY: P McBennett, P Mallon, C Brady, C Hughes, F Moore, S McGeough, R McArdle, R Teacey, G Ward, D McArdle, C Tavey 0-6, M McElroy, C Hanratty 0-3, J Hughes 0-1, A Irwin.

Subs: K Duffy for S McGeough, J McHugh for G Ward.

Referee: J O’Rourke (Éire Óg).