St. Patricks 3-5
Clonmel Óg 2-7
St. Patricks advanced to the next round of the South under 21 B football championship with a one point victory over Clonmel Óg in Fethard on Saturday. This was the first time any of the present panel of St. Patircks players actually won an under 21 f
ootball championship match. Two years ago they managed to hold Clonmel Óg to a draw but were outclassed in the replay.
St. Patricks opened the scoring with two early points from Tony O'Brien. Paul Landers pointed a free to open the scoring for Clonmel Óg in the 6th minute and was on the mark again two minutes later when he goaled from a penalty.
In the 15th minute Paul Horan goaled for St. Patricks following a pass from Tony O'Brien. Clonmel Óg had a good spell with points by Declan Bernell and Greg Carroll. St. Patricks took control for a few minutes and a good move started in defence by Robert Meagher and Jamie Moloney finished with a goal by Tony O'Brien following some good work by Eamon Needham.
Within a minute another St. Patricks movement resulted in a point by John Moroney following some good work by O'Brien to leave the half time score 2-3 to 1-3 in favour of St. Patricks
St. Patricks started the second half with a point from Tony O'Brien following a good ball by Paul Horan. Clonmel Óg then had a period of dominance which resulted in a point from a free by Paul Landers. St. Patricks captain Richard Needham sent in a long ball to John Moroney who shot to the net. Tony O'Brien and Paul Horan did some good work to set up Eoghan McCormack for a well taken point which put St. Patricks ahead by 3-5 to 1-4. .St. Patricks continued to attack but did not convert their chances. However Clonmel Óg were determined to rally and once again took control and almost camped in the St. Patricks half. This period of dominance yielded a goal and three points.
However it was too little too late and St. Patricks still led by a point when referee Pa Shelly sounded the long whistle. Clonmel Óg had to line out without Mikey O'Brien who was playing the Harty Cup Final.
Best for St. Patricks were Robert Meagher, Richard Needham, Paul Horan, Jason Hayes and Tony O'Brien while Clonmel Óg were best served by Robbie Carroll, Graham Quinn until injured, Greg Carroll, Gavin Waters, Matthew Norris and Paul Landers.
St. Patricks - Marcus O'Halloran, Thomas Hayes, Colm Dunne, Jamie Moloney, Richard Needham (Captain), Shane Gorey, Jason Hayes, Paul Horan, Eamon Needham, Tony O'Brien, Stuart Broderick, David Carroll, John Horan, Eoghan McCormack. Subs: Keelan O'Neill for David Carroll, Mark Fitzgerald for Eamon Needham. Clonmel Óg - Simon Ahearne, Dean Norton, Kevin McGrath, Tony Cantwell, Darragh Kearney, Robbie Carroll, Cian Hogan, Graham Quinn, Greg Carroll, Richie Madden, Gavin Waters, Matthew Norris, Declan Bernell, Paul Landers, Dean Kelleher. Sub Michael Lynch for Graham Quinn (injured).
Referee - Pa Shelly (Killenaule).
