Carrickmore v Clonoe Serve Up Hard Fought Draw.

Friday 16.09.2011

There was little between these two sides coming into this game and the fact that the game ended in a draw came as no great surprise. It was a low scoring but compelling match played in difficult conditions that saw Carrickmore score the final point of the match in injury time from the boot of Conor Gormley to force a replay. That means of the three quarter finals so far played all of them have resulted in draws.

Clonoe settled the better of the two sides and, in spite of playing into the strong wind, were 0-3 to 0-2 ahead after twenty minutes with Stephen Mc Nulty displaying good accuracy from the dead ball. Indeed it took Carrickmore until just before half time before they managed to move ahead for the first and only time on the night thanks to a fine Caolan Daly point. However their hopes suffered a blow when Daly was unable to return to the action after the break and, with the scoreboard reading 0-4 to 0-3 in favour of Carrickmore, Clonoe set about chasing the game.  They drew level and moved five points to four ahead but Carrickmore continued to work hard and were rewarded with an equalising point from Gabriel Mc Callan.

With time running down Clonoe sub Ryan O’Neill put his side in front once more and The O’Rahillys had a great chance to move two up when Stephen Mc Nulty had an opportunity from twenty five yards out on the left. However the big midfielder pulled his shot wide and the gap remained a solitary points. Clonoe were reduced to fourteen men following a second yellow card for Conor Mc Aliskey with the game entering additional time Carmen pushed hard for the equaliser. It finally came from the boot of Conor Gormley whose equalising point rounded off a great few days for the county man following the birth of his baby son Cahir John.

Both teams live to fight again and on the basis of this showing, the replay will be every bit as close and intriguing as this one was. Final score Clonoe 0-6, Carrickmore 0-6. Three quarter finals complete and three replays required to sort out the semi finalists.

Full time and it finishes six points each, another draw another replay and still no teams through to the semi finals.

Another yellow card this one for Conall Mc Garrity, 32 minutes played, Clonoe in possession. One more chance perhaps?

Into injury time and still a point between them, Conor Mc Aliskey receives a second yellow and Conor Gormley draws the sides level.

Conor Gormley is fouled and Barry Daly has a chance to draw the sides level, kicking into the wind but his kick misses the target

Stephen Mc Nulty has a great chance to put two between them from 20 metres but misses

Four minutes plus injury time left and Carrickmore hit their tenth wide of the night.

Sub Ryan R O’Neill sends the ball over the bar two minutes after coming on and Clonoe are back in the lead.

Ryan O’Neill replaces Shane O’Hagan for Clonoe

A great save back on the line by Aidan Brady from Peadar Mc Mahon prevents a certain goal for Carrickmore and veteran Kevin Mc Nally is withdrawn and replaced by Conall Mc Garrity and Carrickmore miss another chance to level the game but persistence pays off as Gabriel Mc Callan draws the sides level with seven minutes remaining.

We enter the last ten minutes as Carrickmore hit wide number nine.

Only a point between them with twelve minutes plus injury time left. What price a draw?

Carrickmore get a free for a touch of the ball on the ground but Kevin Mc Nally’s effort misses the target.

A forty yard effort from Emmett Teague sails just wide of the mark and Clonoe bossing possession at this stage as we enter the final quarter.

Changes on both sides as Patrick Doris comes on for Martin Hughes Clonoe and Michael Gallagher for Finbarr Magill for Carrickmore 13 minutes played.

Finbarr Magill misses a great opportunity to put Carrickmore ahead with a fumbled effort ten yards out and Clonoe respond with a fine point from Colm Doris to edge the O’Rahillys ahead 0-5 to 0-4.

Ten minutes on the clock, indiscipline leads to a free being moved forward and Mc Nulty’s free drops short.

Persistence from the O’Rahillys earns a free 20 metres from the Carrickmore goal out wide on the left and Conor Mc Aliskey sends the ball to the right of the posts for his side’s seventh wide on the night.

Clonoe playing with the breeze are struggling to get the ball out of their half.

Lots of possession from Carrickmore but no real penetration, almost 6 minutes played.

A snapshot by Kevin Mc Nally misses narrowly and the teams remain tied with three minutes of the 2nd half played.

A high ball in breaks and is touched on the ground by a Carrickmore defender affording Stephen Mc Nulty the opportunity to draw the sides level which he does. 0-4 apiece.

The officials are back on the field followed by Carrickmore with Peadar Mc Mahon replacing Caolan Daly.

Half time whistle sounds and Carrickmore go in a point ahead after recovering from what was an uncharacteristic slow start by them.

One minute of additional time is signalled and Martin Hughes becomes the sixth player booked.

New father Conor Gormley also picks up a yellow card, the fifth of the game.

28 minutes on the clock and Colm Donnelly and Conor Mc Aliskey pick up yellow cards for Clonoe.

Caolan Daly puts Carrickmore ahead  0-4, 0-3 with his first point of the evening a fine thirty five metre shot.

Five minutes left of the opening half and it may be low scoring but it is entertaining.

Second yellow card of the evening for Brendan Mc Laughlin of Carrickmore with 24 minutes on the clock and Colm Mc Gurk bursts forward to draw the sides level at three apiece.

Lovely hand passing movement from Carrickmore and Kevin Mc Nally punches the ball over the bar. Clonoe lead 0-3 to 0-2.

Clonoe look very sharp and are first to every ball. Carrickmore struggling to stay with the pace and movement of the O’Rahillys.

Another chance from a free into the breeze from Stephen Mc Nulty but this one sails harmlessly wide.

Ball touched on the ground in the Carmen defence and Clonoe have a free thirty metres out as big Stephen Mc Nulty lines up Clonoe’s third point of the evening with 18 minutes played.

Plunkett Mc Callan rushes off his line to prevent PJ Lavery from hitting the net and the ball goes out for a kickout.

Patient build up play from Carrickmore results in their third wide of the half with 13 minutes played.

Indiscipline from Clonoe sees a Carrickmore free moved closer to the goal but Barry Daly’s effort sails wide.

A foul on Barry Daly gives Kevin Mc Nally the chance to open Carrickmore’s account which he does and with nine minutes on the clock it is now Clonoe 0-2, Carrickmore 0-1.

Clonoe have certainly made the more impressive start but Carmen beginning to show signs of settling but with 8 minutes on the clock they have yet to score.

First yellow card of the evening for Gabriel Mc Callan of Carrickmore with less than seven minutes on the clock but the resultant free sails wide.

Benny Martin fluffs a chance for Carmen as the ball drops into the keeper’s hands and they still trail by two with 5 minutes on the clock.

A free to Clonoe is moved closer to the goal following back chat from the Carrickmore defence and Stephen Mc Nulty hits Clonoe’s second point of the evening with four minutes on the clock.

Great play by Clonoe and Colm Donnelly hits the opening score of the game. Cl 0-1, Cr 0-0

Poor miss from Ryan T O’Neill from ten metres in the first attack of the game.

Carrickmore will play with the aid of the wind in the opening half.

Both teams are going through fairly strenuous warm ups as referee for the night Martin Sludden and his team of officials also warm up on what is a cold damp night and it will be a real test of character for players and spectators. A good crowd gathering to witness the third quarter final but as yet no team has qualified for the semis.

Carrickmore take to the field with new father Conor Gormley lining out at centre field. Conor’s missus gave birth to Cahir John in Craigavon last night and best wishes to the family from all at Teamtalkmag.com

It’s a real battle of the heavyweights in this years Power NI Senior Championship Quarter Final in Omagh on Friday night as Carrickmore take on Clonoe.  Both teams finished 1st and 2nd respectively in this years Division 1 League campaign.  Statistically Carrickmore have the most scores in this years league (on average just over 17 points per game) while Clonoe have the meanest defence in the top grade (conceding on average just 9 points per game).  Something has got to give and we’ll be right there to bring you every piece of the action from 8.30pm.