NO MISTAKE SECOND TIME Rostrevor 1-11
Clonduff 0-7
Top Four Semi-final
NO MISTAKE SECOND TIME
Rostrevor 1-11 Clonduff 0-7
By Colm Fitzpatrick
Having been caught at the finish when
the teams met the week previous in
Ballymartin, Rostrevor were determined
that there would be no slips this time
as they moved impressively past Clonduff
in Sunday’s Top Four semi-final replay.
DREAM
Last week, it was a nightmare finish
which frustrated Reds. This time it was
a dream start which put them on course
for their best display in months. That
took the shape of a spectacular goal
from Fintan McBreen after only four
minutes play.
There was still a lot to be done when
the midfielder arrived on a late run to
support a Conor Daly-Eddie Magee move,
but he still managed to slalom his way
through the congested middle of the
Clonduff defence, and though he was
falling when he unleashed the final
shot, he still managed to direct the
ball high to the corner of Robbie
Wilson’s goal.
NEVER HEADED
Despite the fact that Clonduff enjoyed
whatever wind advantage that was going,
Rostrevor led from there until the end.
In the first half, they were given a
good chase by a Clonduff team which
played enterprising football through
Paudie Matthews, Aidan Carr, Finbar
McConville and John Fegan. Yellows
replied in the 7th minute
with a good point by John Fegan, but
Reds were still creating the better
chances, one of which they eventually
took when Martin Cole came up the right
wing in the 14th minute.Two
frees by Plunkett McConville kept
Clonduff breathing down their necks,
however, and though Lloyd Parr’s free
restored a two point lead for Rostrevor
by the 18th minute, Clonduff
moved the ball purposefully out of their
half back line for Gary McDonald to hit
an excellent point a minute later.
Rostrevor continued to look the more
resourceful team, of course, and duly
moved further in front when Adrian
Mackin was on target from an angle and
Conor Daly knocked over a free. Again,
back came Clonduff, and Paul Shields
began the best move of the match from
his own full back line, a move which
Finbar McConville finished with a sweet
point. But with Rostrevor defenders
pouring forward, Yellows often looked in
danger of being overrun. Jarlath Farrell
made his way up the right wing to make
it 1-5 to 0-5, and even though a John
Fegan free whittled that lead back a bit
in the 30th minute, it was
always going to be tough for Clonduff in
the second half.
AS PREDICTED
That is how it turned out. Reds were
quick to establish a commanding
position, with well-worked points for
Lloyd Parr and Conor Daly within three
minutes of the restart. Clonduff were
inevitably submerged under the
unremitting pressure, and John Fegan’s
34th minute free was actually
their last score of the afternoon. Lloyd
Parr restored Reds four point advantage
going in to the final quarter, and
three skilfully-crafted points from
Jarlath Austin, Adrian Mackin and Lloyd
Parr eased Rostrevor through to the
First Division final in impressive
style.
CONFIDENCE
Not the least impressive feature of this
win was the way in which Rostrevor stuck
to their disciplined movement of the
ball despite a vigorous challenge from
the Clonduff lads in the first half.
Half backs Eddie Magee, Martin Cole and
Turlough Murphy were particularly
influential to this approach, with
Jarlath Austin and Fintan McBreen
putting in a busy 60 minutes at
midfield. Up front, Sean Parr had a fine
game , as had Eamon McConville, with
Lloyd Parr buzzing dangerously at corner
forward.
For Clonduff, Paul Shields, Paudie
Matthews, Paul McConville all defended
well. With Aidan Carr playing a
constructive role at midfield in the
first half, and Finbar McConville
particularly dangerous in the opening
thirty minutes. Jason Brown joined the
game as a substitute in the second half,
but by then Yellows were seeing too
little of the ball to make the most of
his presence.
Rostrevor scorers; Lloyd Parr [0-4] 2
frees; Fintan McBreen [1-0]; Adrian
Mackin [0-2]; Conor Daly [0-2] 1 free;
Martin Cole [0-1]; Jarlath Farrell
[0-1]; Jarlath Austin [0-1].
C;onduff scorers; John Fegan [0-3] 2
frees; Plunkett McConville [0-2] 2
frees; Gary McDonald [0-1]; Finbar
McConville [0-1].
Rostrevor team; Ciaran Sloan; Kevin
McGrath, Paul Magee, Jarlath Farrell;
Eddie Magee, Martin Cole, Turlough
Murphy; Fintan McBreen, Jarlath Austin;
Sean Parr, Conor Daly, Eamonn McConville;
Lloyd Parr, Colm Clerkin, Adrian Mackin.
Sub used; Martin Doran for Kevin McGrath
Clonduff team; Robbie Wilson; Sean
McPolin, Paul Shields, Francie Quinn;
Rory Grant, P.O.McConville, Gary
McDonald; Kieran McPolin, Aidan Carr;
Plunkett McConville, Eugene Brannigan,
Martin Farnon; Paudie Matthews, John
Fegan, Finbar McConville.
Subs used; Jason Brown
