Classy Clon show their title credentials

They may have been workmanlike against Aghada in the last round, but Clonakilty displayed their championship credentials with a master-class in front of goal in yesterday’s entertaining Evening Echo Cork Co SFC quarterfinal at Kilmurry.

A total of 1-14 against the East Cork men, and 2-14 here is a handsome aggregate to take into a semi-final clash with Bishopstown. Playing with plenty of confidence and showing admirable composure in front of goal, Clon may wish to dampen expectations now after breaking into the last four for the first time in five years, but their challenge to unseat Nemo Rangers is gathering serious momentum.

This was a Clon victory built on style, substance and superlative long range shooting and they showed resilience to run out winners.

At times their movement was dazzling, but their ability to land points from a variety of angles and distances proved decisive with the brilliant Conor McManus sharing the shooting burden alongside Martin O’Brien, Colin O’Donovan and Colm Callanan.

Duhallow made a fine contribution as well to a hugely enjoyable contest, and showed great heart to reduce a seven point deficit to three with eight minutes left on the clock. Niall and Seamus O’Sullivan were huge figures during their late second half renaissance but, when needed, Clon’s stoic defence held tough where Tony Anglin, Timmy O’Sullivan and Denis Murphy starred, Anglin doing an excellent man-marking job on Cork senior, Donnacha O’Connor.

Clon had leaders all over the park: midfielders Sean Nagle and Timmy Anglin worked back and engineered scores while Clon’s ceaseless work-rate was best epitomised by the likes of Donal Lyons and the fleet-footed Martin O’Brien on the ‘40’ who also chipped in with three of the best points you’re likely to see.

The frenetic pace of the game provided plenty talking points and a plethora of scores in the opening quarter. Playing with the breeze, Clon’s forward line hummed from the throw-in, Conor McManus, Colm Callanan (2) and O’Brien landing sumptuous points while their fifth minute goal had quality written all over it too. Nagle’s long outfield ball found Brendan Walsh who threaded a low cross pass to Nigel Hayes and the wing back dispatched expertly.

Duhallow responded with a Niall Fleming goal, his shot half-blocked to the net by Hayes, but the divisional side stayed in touch until the 23rd minute when Billy Dennehy narrowed the margin to two, 1-6 to 1-4. Clon responded in style, tacking on three more points before the break through Callanan, McManus and a monstrous 40m effort from O’Brien.

Duhallow were without influential Cork U-21 Aidan Walshe for the second half, but after re-structuring their midfield and forward unit, enjoyed a far better return in terms of possession. Seamus O’Sullivan fielded magnificent ball, though Nagle and Timmy Anglin continued to figure prominently as Clon extended their lead to seven points on 41 minutes when McManus finished off a superb three-man move.

Duhallow never gave up the chase. Driven on by Jerry Healy, Donal Gayer and the O’Sullivan brothers, they whittled the margin to three points by the 52nd minute, Healy finishing off a brilliant seven-man move. Colin O’Donovan pushed Clon four ahead again in the 57th minute, Niall O’Sullivan replied and the large crowd got set for a grandstand finish. The biggest roar, however, came from the Clon supporters in the 59th minute. Timmy Anglin made a blistering solo run, passed to Padraig Griffin and, spotting Callanan loose on the edge of the square, the former Cork senior squared, allowing his team-mate palm to the net.

It proved the game’s defining score as well as garnishing a near-perfect display from the West Cork men.

Scorers for Clonakilty: C Callanan 1-3; C McManus and C O’Donovan 0-4 (0-2 frees) each; N Hayes 1-0; M O’Brien 0-2; B Walsh 0-1(free).

Duhallow scorers: D O’Connor 0-4 (0-3 frees); N Fleming 1-0; N O’Sullivan 0-3; B Dennehy 0-2; D Gayner, S O’Sullivan and J Healy 0-1 each.

CLONAKILTY: E Harte; T O’Sullivan, Tony Anglin, D O’Brien; D Murphy, N Griffin, N Hayes; S Nagle, Timmy Anglin; D Lyons, M O’Brien, C O’Donovan; B Walsh, C McManus, C Callanan.

Subs: D O’Regan for Hayes (45 mins), H Kenny for Timmy Anglin (48), Timmy Anglin for O’Brien (55), P Griffin for O’Donovan (inj 58).

DUHALLOW: K Murphy (Boherbue); J McLoughlan (Kanturk), J Healy (Ballydesmond), P Gayer (Castlemagner); P O’Leary (Kiskeam), D O’Brien (Newmarket), B Daly (do); B O’Callaghan (Ballydesmond), S O’Sullivan (Dromtariffe); D Gayer (Castlemagner), A Walshe (Kanturk), D O’Connor (Ballydesmond); N Fleming (Ballydesmond), N O’Sullivan (Dromtariffe), B Dennehy (Kiskeam).

Subs: D O’Flynn (Newmarket) for Walshe (inj, half-time); C O’Riordan (Lyre) for D Gayer and K Buckley (Knocknagree) for O’Callaghan (both 41), T Collins (Castlemagner) for Dennehy (55).

Referee: C Lyons (Nemo Rangers).