Clonduff 1-9 Glenn 1-11
GLENN produced a storming comeback from seven points down at half-time to oust title contenders Clonduff by 1-11 to 1-9 in Mayobridge yesterday
The strong wind played a huge part, but so too did Ross Carr’s sending off only a minute into the second half. That changed Clonduff’s game-plan and Glenn took advantage, super-sub Mattie Bagnall grabbing two crucial scores at the death.
The Yellas, were playing from the full-deck for the first time this season, with Down forward Eamonn Brown ruling the roost at full-forward and former Down captain Darren O’Hagan also returning. In contrast, Glenn were missing their talisman Jack McCartan and also Liam Bagnall and Dylan Bagnall.
It was Clonduff who dictated the first 30 minutes, with tough tackling producing turnovers and the early long ball into Brown paying dividends. He had flicked the ball to the net from Jamie Gribben’s long delivery with only two minutes gone and before Glenn had time to blink Dan Rafferty had followed up with a point.
Glenn only managed three first-half scores, from Shay Millar (free), Joe Sands and Tiernan O’Brien, whereas the Yellas kept the scoreboard ticking over with Arthur McConville (free), Stephen McConville (free), Patrick Cowan and Charlie Carr all on target.
The Hilltown men were rocked at the restart when Carr picked up a red card and from there Clonduff conceded the Glenn kick-out, sat deep and invited Glenn on.
Stephen Clarke’s men made the most of it and by three minutes into the half they had added 1-1. Glenn went route-one with the long ball looking for target-man Declan Carville and he broke possession down to Tiernan O’Brien, who coolly steered to the net.
Patrick Cowan responded with the first of Clonduff’s two second-half points before Oran Byrne’s second point and a converted free from Down keeper John O’Hare made it a two-point game with only 39 minutes on the clock.
The game was transformed with Niall McParland, Shay Millar, Patrick Brooks, Byrne and Carville stepping up for Glenn, but the numbers were evened up when Denis Murtagh picked up a black card on 49 minutes.
The equality was to last just three minutes however as Clonduff’s Ben McConville joined Murtagh in the sin-bin.
Byrne’s tight-angled third point was a beauty before Carville levelled seven minutes from time.
It was a frantic finish but it was all Glenn and Mattie Bagnall came off the bench to tap over a free and edge them ahead for the first time with 60 minutes played.
Stephen McConville converted a difficult free to throw Clonduff a lifeline and extra-time loomed but there was time for another twist as Bagnall kicked Glenn back into the lead.
With Clonduff caught out pushing for another equaliser substitute Ronan McLoughlin doubled Glenn’s lead to confirm a famous victory.
Scorers
Clonduff E Brown 1-0; S McConville 0-3f; P Cowan & A McConville (0-1f, 0-1m) 0-2 each; C Carr & D Rafferty 0-1 each
Glenn T O’Brien 1-1; O Byrne 0-3; M Bagnall 0-2 (0-1f); J Sands, D Carville, R McLoughlin, S Millar (f) & J O’Hare (f) 0-1 each
Ballyholland booked their quarter-final place with a one-point (2-7 to 0-12) win over Warrenpoint on Friday evening, while the two remaining games take place on Monday evening, with Loughinisland facing Bredagh in Kilcoo (7.30pm) and Mayobridge and Liatroim meeting in Dundrum (7.15pm).
Mayobridge go into their clash with Laitroim as favourites but they’ll not take anything for granted.
Ronan Sexton will expect more from his side than what they delivered in the second half of the defeat to Burren.
Young Adam Crimmins has grown into a key player, while Conleth O’Hare remains a powerhouse up front and Shane McNamee a robust rock in defences.
Last year’s intermediate winners Laitroim will be confident after their extra-time win over RGU but they will need more players to stand up than Joe McCrickard and Conor McCrickard if they are to go much further.
Also on Monday night, Loughinisland face Bredagh and both sides will feel they should be reaching the last eight at least.
With the proficient scorer Rory Mason and fit-again Oisin Savage along with the strong running Declan McClements, the Blues have the attacking quality to trouble most teams.
Bredagh are simmering with potential too. County man Conor Francis ghosts into goal-scoring positions few can match, probably only Kilcoo’s Celium Doherty, but along with Cormac O’Rawe and Donal Hughes the Belfast men can prove hard to handle.
