ACHL DIV2: Clonduff easily see off Warrenpoint challenge

Clonduff, under the guidance of Rostrevor man Anthony Tinnely fielded a 21-man panel with John Murphy in attack and the ever-reliable Paddy Brannigan at Full back. 

On a very dry and sunny evening a Moygannon Park Warrenpoint hosted close and bitter rivals Clonduff in a controversial game of hurling.  The 1^st 15 minutes of the game were very disappointing with both sides missing very easy chances but Clonduff took the lead with a free.  Clonduff should have extended this lead with but ere unable to capitalise on Brian Murphy’s poor defensive clearances.  Warrenpoint missing Allen Higgins and John O’Kane could have been on level terms but James O’Hare was unable to convert any scoring chances from frees. 

Warrenpoint thought they had drawn level on the 16-minute mark when a Ronan Mulligan point was not given after he brilliantly robbed the ball from a Clonduff defender and scored from a tight angle.   There was no umpire at the goal and the referee could not award the score.  A minute late Declan Doyle scored under severe pressure from the Clonduff backs to level the game.  Almost immediately Clonduff tried to respond with a goal but were denied by Eugene McConville batting the ball clear.  This clearance resulted in Liam Rice being fouled about 40m from goal, and Paul Brown easily converts the free.  Clonduff then found another gear, a low shot driven into the goal in caught and easily saved by Brian Murphy, but a poor clearance from the ‘keeper straight to a Clonduff forward who then ‘lobbed’ a back-pedalling Murphy from 30m. 

The ‘Point tried to respond with a goal of their own but were denied by the strong Clonduff backs.  Almost a minute later Clonduff had a second goal from a well-worked move from defence.  Poor marking and lack of fielding from the blues resulted in an easy strike from 10m giving the ‘keeper no chance. Both sides exchanged frees some from over 60m from goal leaving the half-time score Warrenpoint 0-4 Clonduff 2-4

Some very angry scenes in the ‘Point camp at half time, with plenty of disagreement between players.  The 2^nd half begins with a Warrenpoint score from the throw in from a great run by James O’Hare, Barry Hanna is then booked for a high challenge.  This was followed up by a free from Paul Brown leaving just 4 points between the sides.  A bad clearance from Brian Murphy gives possession back to Clonduff and the resulting sideline cut goes straight over the bar from 35m. 

Warrenpoint sub: on Kevin Rice off Declan Doyle

Clonduff again score from a sideline picking out unmarked men who score again with ease.  With 6 points now between the sides it seemed the 2 early goals would be the killer blow for the ‘Point.  The 2^nd half was even worse than the 1^st with a lot of off the ball incidents and the referee struggling to keep control of the game. Kevin Rice was booked midway through the half for a challenge.  A frustrated Clonduff were unable to score and Paul Brown kept converting frees from all angles. 

Warrenpoint Sub: on Liam Boyle Off Brian Murphy

A high ball into the square form 65m deceived sub ‘keeper Boyle and went into the net over his head but was ruled out for a square ball.  A Ronan Mulligan score from play leaves 3 points between the teams.  Another bad decision by the umpire results in another controversial score being awarded to Clonduff.  The game ended with Colm McKee being booked for a ‘soft’ challenge on Paddy Brannigan.  With the last puck of the game Paul Brown scores from another free leaving the final score Warrenpoint 0-10 (10) Clonduff 2-6 (12), but the referee scored it Warrenpoint 0-9 (9) Clonduff 2-9 (15) odd?