Champions, Clonkill ease past the Gaels to reach semi-final

Scorelines sometimes tell their own story and this is one of those occasions but what the score does not reflect is that Clonkill secured this victory without having to raise themselves above the mediocre as the Gaels gave one of their poorest displays ever in Cusack Park.Some of the hurling was insipid and at times of a very very poor quality and anything of significance that was on show came entirely from one side, Clonkill.The champions, one felt, could up it another gear at any time and they kept doing enough when they needed to and still finished up 13 point victors as the Gaels simply gave up. In truth this was a game that never rose above the ordinary and but for some small feats of individual excellence then it would have been much worse. Clonkill are still going strong despite their long season and it will take a very good side to beat them as they have good players in virtually every position and what"s more important is that they link well as a team.The game started as it was to continue with a Brendan Murtagh free and three minutes later, after a calamitous piece of Gaels" defending, a poor strike from Alan Dowdall of Clonkill still somehow found its way to the back of the Mark Briody"s net. Poor defending allowed Mark Keegan and Luke Folan to add two more points and, even at this stage, the signs were ominous.Derek McNicholas then opened the Gaels" account but that was nullified when Andrew Mitchell pointed from almost the halfway line. David Cunningham got the Gaels" second score from a James Boyle pass but again Clonkill replied with a free from Brendan Murtagh. The Gaels then hit their only purple patch of the entire game when two Stephen Bardon converted frees were split by a couple of good chances and even a goal chance for Joe Williams who failed to connect with a Bardon crossfield pass. Then Bardon himself was denied by a marvellous save from Clonkill goal minder Eoin Price and from that point Clonkill just powered their way back into the game with points from Mitchell (2), Alan Dowdall and Christy Austin that were all well crafted and converted. Derek McNicholas got one back when his goalbound effort was tipped over the bar by Price but Luke Folan finished the first half scoring with a fine individual effort to leave the half-time score, 1-10 to 0-5 in favour of Clonkill.The Gaels needed a good start to the second half and two quick points from Derek McNicholas narrowed the gap. However, that spark of individual skill was not sustained and Austin and Alan Dowdall replied for Clonkill with two opportunist points before Murtagh converted a free gifted to him by the Gaels defence.The final nail in the Gaels" coffin came when their defence failed to clear on three occasions and Mark Keegan was the man on the spot to drive the loose ball to the net and end the game as a contest. Clonkill could have increased that lead but they missed a couple of very easy chances themselves and wasted a number opportunities.Stephen Bardon got a point back for the Gaels when found by sub Alan Murray and after a raft of substitutions on both sides Christy Austin got the last score of the game from a superb effort right on the touchline on the 21-yard line and the last five odd minutes of the game just petered out. The epitome of the Gaels night was a missed 25- yard free in front of the posts by probably their best player, Derek McNicholas.Eoin Price in the Clonkill goal was solid throughout and a great last line of defence while in front of him, older brother, Adam was a rock at full back. Sean Loughlin was the pick of the half backs while Conradh Reilly and Paddy Dowdall dominated at midfield. Up front, Folan and Alan Dowdall were lively while Brendan Murtagh had one of his quieter games, but Mark Keegan and Christy Austin grabbed 1-6 between them in the corners.For the Gaels this was a game best forgotten, and quickly, as they also failed to make the play-off places for the first time in many years and on Sunday"s display it is not hard to fathom why. Mark Briody and possibly, Martin Williams at centre back were the pick of backs while Stephen Bardon and Derek McNicholas in the forwards had their moments. It will rankle with this proud club who have given many great games to us over the years but this was not their finest hour.Scorers: Clonkill - Alan Dowdall 1-2, Mark Keegan 1-1, Christy Austin 0-4, Brendan Murtagh (3 frees) and Andrew Mitchell (3 frees) 0-3 each, Luke Folan 0-2. Lough Lene Gaels: Derek McNicholas 0-4, Stephen Bardon 0-3, David Cunningham 0-1.Clonkill: Eoin Price, Stephen Cleary, Adam Price, Fergal Fagan, John Fagan, Andrew Mitchell, Sean Loughlin, Conradh Reilly, Paddy Dowdall, Luke Folan, Brendan Murtagh, Alan Dowdall, Christy Austin, Larry Donoghue, Mark Keegan. Subs: Mark Healy for L. Folan, Shane Owens for L. Donoghue 54 mins, Daragh Ayres for A. Dowdall 57 mins.Lough Lene Gaels: Brian Conaty, Mark Briody, Jim Connell, Aidan Keogh, Seamus Carroll, Martin Williams, Francis McDermott, James Boyle, David Cunningham, Joe Williams, Derek McNicholas, Mark McNicholas, Stephen Bardon, Pauric Fitzsimons, Noel Conaty. Subs: Michael Walsh for J. Williams H/T, Alan Murray for M. McNicholas 43 mins, Vincent Clarke for N. Conaty 48 mins, Shane Reilly for S. Bardon 57 mins.Referee: Barry Kelly, St. Oliver Plunketts.