Glory at last for classy Clyda

Clyda Rovers 0-13 Macroom 0-08

At times, the top table must have seemed like a mirage. Three years in succession, 2009-11 inclusive, they made the journey back to Mourneabbey as beaten finalists, and last year’s quarter-final defeat to St Michael’s could have been seen as the blow that finished them as a force in the grade.

The installation of Ned English as coach provided a perfect fit though, allowing their running game to be perfected. The aesthetics may not always be pleasing to the neutral observer, but the style’s effectiveness, based on retention of possession until a scoring chance presents itself, cannot be denied.