Second half surge sees Clonkill home

An unanswered 1-5 in the last 15 minutes put rather a gloss on this victory for last year's beaten finalists, Clonkill in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Wednesday evening last. A very sparse crowd were treated to an exciting game of hurling for the most part but Brownstown again faded badly, as they had in their opening game against Lough Lene Gaels and Clonkill powered home for what was certainly a flattering victory. A ten point defeat was certainly harsh on Brownstown who started like a train with five points on the board before Clonkill realised they were in an match. But they were a one man show in Johnny McGuinness who scored all of their points and therein lies part of the problem. If it wasn't McGuinness then there was no plan B while Clonkill ended the game with all six starting forwards scoring.It was Clonkill's ability to grind their way back in and then when they sniffed blood they went for the jugular and the fading Brownstown challenge had no reply. It was a sense of déjÀ-vu for the Clonmellon side and they will wonder how they lost this game by ten points but Clonkill are an experienced and dogged outfit and they simply don't do panic and despite fielding without the influential Brendan Murtagh, they still have that winning mentality and will certainly be in the shake-up come knockout time.Clonkill started the game in whirlwind fashion and it looked as if they would completely overwhelm their opponents but their shoot on sight policy was missing just one component, Accuracy and they hit three wides in as many minutes and had a goal disallowed for a square ball but this only stirred Brownstown into action and a McGuinness 60 metre free got the score board ticking over. It was the start of a purple patch for Brownstown and McGuinness as he hit four more in four minutes, two from frees and two beauties from narrow angles that saw his side race into a five point lead and looking as if they would overrun a makeshift Clonkill defence. Immediately Sean Loughlin was removed from corner forward and brought back into the half back line and it steadied what was a shaky Clonkill rearguard. Owen Price and then Adam Price got the Green and Golds back on an even keel and it looked as if Clonkill had ridden the storm but Christy Austin missed a glorious gaol chance when his poor shot was easily saved and Brownstown went straight down the field and two McGuinness frees restored their five point advantage. However, they then fell to sleep somewhat and after Andrew Mitchell had pointed a monster free, Alan Dowdall and sub Micky Heffernan narrowed the gap further with excellent points and when that spurt was bookended by another Mitchell free the gap was just one. McGuinness profited from a rather dubious free for Brownstown but Clonkill finished the half on a high when first Sean Loughlin and then Luke Folan scored from distance and narrow angles to level the matter as referee John Weir blew the halftime whistle with the team's level at 0-8 apiece.Brownstown came out firing at the start of the second half and they pressed hard in the opening exchanges resulting in a fine McGuinness point that again lifted the Clonmellon faithful. But that was the last score Brownstown got and with Owen Price now installed as a man marker on McGuinness, Clonkill began to batten down the hatches and with Loughlin in sparkling form at wing back they began to press on. Christopher Austin pointed and then Ger Fagan saw his goalbound shot tipped over by Stephen Reilly in the Brownstown goal.Heffernan was wide with a goal chance before Mitchell pointed to put two between the sides. Reilly made another fine save but had to tip over Owen Price's shot and when Loughlin put four between the sides with a superb score from distance, the game looked up for Brownstown. A marvellous save from Heffernan by Reilly was only delaying the inevitable and after further points by Alan Dowdall and Adam Price it was sub Paul Farrell who eventually raised the green flag when Reilly simply could not stem the tide and a game that had been quite competitive was now a jog in the park for Clonkill and they stamped their authority and a ten point win with a lovely score from Heffernan.Owen Price and Alan Dowdall were the pick of the Clonkill team while Loughlin had a wonderful game when restored to his more comfortable wing back role. Mitchell had his troubles at centre back but came more into it when dispatched to the wing while Folan, Alan McGrath and Adam Price were others with cameo displays. For Brownstown it was another McGuinness show and therein lies the crux of their problem with not one of the other forwards contributing anything of consequence at all. Phillip Gilsenan at centre back had a super game once more while Stephen Reilly in goal hardly put a foot wrong. Kenny Higgins and Johnny Fitzpatrick tried hard at the middle of the field but the over reliance on McGuinness for scores came back to haunt them and they are now in a major relegation battle. However, if they show the commitment and display of the first 20 minutes then they can certainly remain as a senior club. For Clonkill it's onwards and upwards but they will need to improve significantly on this display.Scorers - Clonkill: Andrew Mitchell 0-3, 2 frees, Paul Farrell 1-0, Owen Price, Adam Price, Alan Dowdall, Sean Loughlin and Michael Heffernan 0-2 each, Luke Folan, Ger Fagan and Christopher Austin 0-1 each. Brownstown: Johnny McGuinness 0-9, 6 frees.Clonkill: Brian Murray, Stephen Cleary, Martin Scally, Fergal Fagan, John Fagan, Andrew Mitchell, Alan McGrath, Shane Power, Owen Price, Luke Folan, Adam Price, Alan Dowdall, Sean Loughlin, Ger Fagan, Christopher Austin. Subs: Michael Heffernan for John Fagan 15 mins, Paul Farrell for Austin 48 mins.Brownstown: Stephen Reilly, Gary Gilsenan, Maurice Gavigan, Jimmy McQuaid, Conor Sleator, Phillip Gilsenan, Paul Gilsenan, Kenny Higgins, Johnny Fitzpatrick, Barry David, Johnny McGuinness, Jessie Beggan, Robert Dugdale, Dara Brady, Cyril Dugdale. Subs: Martin Kelly for Cyril Dugdale and David Dolan for Beggan 37 mins, Seamus McNamee for Paul Gilsenan 38 mins, Gavin Mulvey for Robert Dugdale 50 mins.Referee: John Weir,Raharney