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Clonoe Still In The Race To Remain In Senior Football
Saturday 12.10.2024
Clonoe have condemned their near neighbours Coalisland to Intermediate football for the first time since 1984.
A huge crowd gathered at O’Rahilly Park for the division one relegation playoff. The home side got off to a dream start when PJ Lavery was hauled down in the 4th minute. Connor McAliskey showed nerves of steel as he expertly sent keeper Dylan Woods the wrong way from the spot.
Niall Devlin opened the fianna account minutes later from a free. Nerves were an obvious factor with so much at stake, as both teams struggled to gain a foothold in the opening quarter.
Ronan Corey with an excellent long range point and a free from near the sideline extended Clonoe’s lead. Tiernan Quinn who was unable to start due to injury entered the game after 22 minutes as a replacement for the influential Peter Herron who picked up a knock. Quinn wasted little time getting on the scoresheet with a free. Niall Devlin kicked his second as the gap reduced to two before, McAliskey had the final say of the half with a tap over free. Coalisland will be disappointed with eight first half wides.
T Quinn opened the second half scoring with a free, but the rest of the contest belonged to Clonoe. Points from Danny McNulty and Darragh McGrath extended the lead before the all important second goal arrived on 42 minutes. Ryan Morrow did well in midfield to combine with Connor McAliskey who set up Pascal McClure for the goal.
James McCann had a goal chance for the Fianna as the game entered its final quarter but his shot trickled harmlessly wide. Michael McKernan and Daryl Magee exchanged points before PJ Lavery made a goal line clearance to deny McCann.
Things got worse for the blues when Louis O’Neill picked up a second yellow with ten to go and a difficult situation became even more difficult.
Scores from Magee, Declan McClure and Rhys Donnelly ensured it would be Clonoe’s day. Quinn and Plunkett Kane did score consolation points for Coalisland but their fate was sealed. In injury time Ruairi Campbell picked up a second yellow to compound a disappointing afternoon.
Clonoe still must win their playoff encounter with the division two playoff winners, to guarantee senior football, but that is several weeks away.
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