Our U-21's brought unprecedented success to the club in 2005 by pinning down the 'B' county title led by their inspirational captain Kieran Connery and enigmatic coach Timmy O' Keeffe...
"Clashmore footballers win in proverbial canter"
Clashmore . . . 4-13; Tramore . . . 1-1
A mismatch of monumental dimensions adequately sums up this most disappointing County U-21 Football B Championship final, played as curtain raiser to last Sundays County Hurling Final at Walsh Park. From beginning to end a much fancied Clashmore outfit dictated the trend of play and in the end won more or less as they pleased. This was without question the poorest Tramore football performance in years, and it was only in added on time before the break that they succeeded in getting their one and only point of the opening half. Matters improved a little for them in the second period but it was precious close to the end when they succeeded at last in penetrating the western citadel. This was of course a classic example of too little too late, but prior to that this classy Clashmore outfit had the game well and truly sown up to their satisfaction. Such was the overall superiority of the winners that one must question the grading system which allowed such a formidable outfit to be graded ‘B’. They won in style, and would surely more than hold their own with either of next Sunday’s U-21 A Finalists Ballinacourty or Rathgormack. For most of the hour they practically owned possession and would not have been flattered had they tagged on a few more scores, as it was they had 21 points to spare at the finish and that in anyone’s language represents quite a differential.
Tramore tried repeatedly to come on terms but lack of forward power told heavily against them and they were also most vulnerable in defence. The opening five minutes proved lively but it quickly developed into a false dawn. The twin threat of Sean Fleming and Killian O’Keeffe proved far too much for a hard pressed losing outfit, and between them this pair accounted for two goals and five points of their side’s 4-13 to 1-1 winning margin. Clashmore had in fact recorded that total before Tramore eventually opened their account. It was never a contest in the strict sense of the word, and the fact that the winners saw reason to introduce a plethora of subs towards the end fully indicates how easily they picked up this first of the U-21 titles.
After a lively start and a false dawn, the game really took off in Clashmore’s favour after five minutes of play when Sean Fleming had their opening point in delightful fashion. Their second came two minutes later when Killian O’Keeffe performed well to keep the ball in play before finishing over the Tramore crossbar. Amazingly, nine subsequent minutes went by without a score but Clashmore continued to call the tune, and it came as no surprise when in the 17th minute Killian O’Keeffe outflanked two defenders to send a crashing ball to the net. The winners continued to build up their lead, Sean Fleming had the benefit of a deflected defensive effort for another Clashmore point in the 21st minute, and when a quickly taken free two minutes later found an unmarked Paudie O’Rourke, he similarly despatched the ball to the net. Two more winners points followed from Sean Fleming and Declan Allen (free) before in the 3rd minute of added on time a fisted Robbie Phelan effort yielded Tramore’s only score of the first half. There was even time for Clashmore to come back for another well taken Sean Fleming point with the result that they led by a comfortable 2-6 to 0-1 going in to recess.
Second half goals
Clashmore took up where they had left off and five unanswered scores in the 3rd quarter plus a half dozen scorable wides marked their continued supremacy. Sean Fleming pointed in the opening minute and two minutes later same player availed of a mistake in the Tramore defence to land his side’s third goal. Declan Allen from a free and play stretched the winners lead to 2-10 to 0-1 by the 46th minute. Tramore looked in dire trouble when Paudie O’Rourke found the net for the westerners in the 45th minute, however, flagging Tramore hopes received something of a boost eight minutes from the end when Martin Whelan one of two seniors in their side, worked his way through for a goal. Alas, it proved to be the seasiders swan song, and in a tame enough finish the winners put the game beyond all lingering doubt with a flurry of scores from the second half replacement Colm O’Rourke - goal no. 4 - and points from Declan Allen and team captain Kieran Connery.
Final Score :- Clashmore 4-13; Tramore 1-1
In an all round and well balanced winning side players such as Jason Seward, Kieran Connery, Declan Allen, Paudie O’Rourke, Killian O’Keeffe, Kevin Dunne and Sean Fleming repeatedly caught the eye. While for the vanquished Martin Whelan, John Hayden, Paul McCarthy, and Dan Goggin were best.
Teams
Clashmore: Mark McGrath, Conor Coughlan, Jason Seward, Declan Coughlan, Edmond Og Ledingham, Kieran Connery, Kevin Dunne, James Ledingham, Declan Allen, Gavin Dower, Paudie O’Rourke, Joe Collins, Emmett Kelly, Killian O’Keeffe, Seamus Fleming. Subs - Kieran Burke for E. Kelly, Michael Barron for C. Coughlan, Andrew Mulready for G. Dower.
Tramore: Ronan Curran, Diarmuid Cunningham, Dan Goggin, Alan Fleming, Colman Gillane, John Hayden, Eric Lonergan, Martin Whelan, Paul McCarthy, Sean Heaphy, William Cullinane, Stephen Casey, Colin Herbert, Shane Hogan, Dane Ormonde. Subs - Fergal Walsh for C. Gillane, R. Phelan for J. Hayden,
