Clones U-14 got their campaign under way with a tricky away game against Toome on Saturday. Played in excellent conditions, both teams gave a great display of under age football under the new rules introduced.
Things got off to a bad start for clones as they fell behind to a goal within the opening minutes, but responded well with two well taking points by Cian O’Connor and Nathan Curran. Midfield were starting to take hold of the game and was unlucky not to draw level with Jake Rehill’s 45 effort coming back off the crossbar.
On 12 minutes Shaun Cunningham brought the game level with a tidy left foot strike from 25 yards.
Clones Captain on the day Derek Sviridenka stood tall in defence and led by example with some great catching and game reading. With just minutes away from half time clones conceded a easy point to Toome and a quickly taking goal kick caught Clones and led to another well taking goal. Half time sounded and Clones were behind: Toome 2:03 Clones 0:03
Second half got under way and both teams exchanged a couple of wides. Cian O’Connor and Peter Moore scored a point each to bring the game to a 4 point game with just 8 minutes gone in the second half. James Mealiff was introduced for Michael Morgan and was unlucky not to score with his first effort, Toome defence were standing up to the Clones challenge.
Stephen Marcello was introduced for Shane Slowey and scored a well taking point.
Clones kept trying and were rewarded with a great strike from Peter Moore which hit the back of the net and saw just a goal between the sides. Toome responded with a point and kept Clones within their half.
Jake Rehill brings Clones closer with a great point from out on the wing. The game has become a 4 point margin and only for some brilliant goalkeeping by Toome’s keeper, Clones would have been a lot closer, Eoin McQuaid and James Mealiff had efforts blocked within the last couple of minutes. Cian O’Connor got his third point of the day but came too late as the referee blew the whistle for full time; Clones were narrowly defeated by 3 points.
Final Score: Toome 3:05 Clones 1:08
Team: Tristin Reevey, Derek Sviridenka, James McCormack, Kevin Reilly, Nathan Curran (0.01) James McElwain, Jake Rehill (0:01) Shaun Cunningham (0:01) Cian O’Connor (0:03) Peter Moore (1:01) Shane Slowely, Michael Morgan, Eoin McQuaid
Subs: Stephen Marcello (0:01) James Mealiff, Conor Monaghan.
