Dublin Go Ahead Adult Football League – Division 1 - North:
Round 4: Naomh Mearnog v Cluain Tarbh 10th July 2021
Clontarf made the trip to the impressive Pairc Mearnog facilities at Blackwood Lane on a beautiful sunny breezy Saturday evening. This was a daunting test against an unbeaten Naomh Mearnog team whose young Manager enjoyed more than a passing knowledge of his opposition visitors. After a couple of unsuccessful Mearnog attacks, Clontarf, playing with the wind, and welcoming Morgan Walsh back from injury, got the first score. Tiz McDonncha worked the ball to Rory Clarke who chipped over the bar. Next a point from the Mearnog’s number 12 Shane Kavanagh. Then a reply from Nathan Doran who was fouled but made good use of the advantage rule to kick over. On 10 minutes the home supporters enjoyed watching a well worked Mearnogs goal. Impressive midfielder Shane Bissett Lynch made a strong run through the Clontarf defence to feed his corner forward who slotted home. Clontarf responded with a point from Tiz and a free from Nathan. Mearnogs hit back with points from Bissett Lynch, and centre back Aodan Fee, who beat his man to a Clontarf kick out and popped over a nice point. Another Nathan free. Then Conor Doran worked his way forward from full back, and as the defence retreated, he passed to Tiz who slotted over to level the game. Mearnog had time for a free from Kavanagh to secure the narrowest of advantages before the first half water break.
1-4 to 0-6 at the first water break.
Clontarf stepped it up in the second quarter. Rory Clark won a great long range kick out from Brian Dufficy and gave the perfect pop pass to Matthew McMahon travelling at speed down the right side line. Matthew burned the defensive cover, cut in and scored a super point without checking his pace. After another Nathan free, a swift Clontarf move involving a high catch and strong run from Charlie Meehan, and a kick pass to Nathan providing him with a mark. The subsequent free kick came off the post, and was collected by the keeper, who looked to build the next Mearnogs move. However Kieran McKeown had other ideas. He chased, harried, and dispossessed the Mearnog goalie before swinging the ball over the bar.
The key Clontarf score of the half then came on 28 minutes. A Mearnogs kick out went over everyone’s heads and was swept up by Jack McCaffrey. Jack moved forward at pace, giving a swift one-two with Andy Foley, and just kept going straight. After another one-two, this time with Nathan, he had the simplest of tasks to palm the ball to the net. Two accurate frees from Nathan completed the Clontarf scoring for the half. Meanwhile the lively Mearnogs attack had just two points to show for their efforts during an entertaining second quarter.
1-6 to 1-11 at half time.
Clontarf’s best score of the match came from the second half throw in. Andy Foley fisted the ball down to Charlie, who fed Morgan Walsh storming down the middle. He fed Tiz who stroked over a lovely point off his left. Three great points from the familiar surroundings of the half forward line, maybe he won’t be allowed a cameo goalkeeper role again for a wee while!
After a point from the Mearnog wing back, things got even better for Clontarf. A Foley garryowen dropped short in front of the Mearnogs goals. Kieran McKeown positioned himself beneath it and couldn’t be dislodged, despite the best efforts of two defenders. He gathered, swivelled, and side footed the ball along the ground into the net. A second point and sixth free from in form Nathan Doran, either side of a punt kick from Charlie, completed the Clontarf scoring for the quarter and indeed for the match. An 11 point lead at the end of the third quarter meant no realistic way back for the home team.
1-8 to 2-15 at the second water break.
Game management was the Clontarf mindset for the fourth quarter. Naomh Mearnog did manage to get three points, but Clontarf kept most of the possession, played the ball around, created some chances, and were happy to give some of the subs a run out, knowing the match was over as a contest well before the final whistle.
Full time score: 1-11 to 2-15.
A second league win and building confidence for this Clontarf team, with growing signs of strength in depth. Next up, a mid-week encounter with our Malahide road close neighbours on Pitch 34 at 7.30pm Wednesday 20th July. Book your socially distant side line spot now!
Clontarf Team; Fergal O’Bryne; Conor Doran, Shane Walsh, Mark Winters, Jack McCaffrey(1-0), Stephen O’Quigley, Andy Foley, Dave Egan; Maitias McDonncha (0-3), Charlie Meehan (0-1), Morgan Walsh, Kieran McKeown (1-1), Nathan Doran (0-8, 6F), Rory Clarke (0-1). Subs: Matthew McMahon (0-1), Sean Prendergast, Brian Berney.