Clyda Rovers pushed all the way by Glanworth in tense minor encounter
CLYDA ROVERS 1-12 GLANWORTH 1-9
Thursday March 12 2009
CLYDA Rovers were pushed all the way by a gallant Glanworth side in the MAFL at Glanworth on Saturday last. The opening stages saw the Mourneabbey side make the better start and after seven minutes they seemed to be in a great position when leading by 0-4 to no score.
As the half progressed Glanworth began to settle and helped by a goal from Martin Jackson were to get back on level terms at 0-4 to 1-1. The remainder of the half was a close encounter. Glanworth were very prominent at this stage with Sean O'Keeffe, John Magnier, Thomas Condon, Francis J O'Flynn, Martin Jackson, Eoin Baker and Hugh O'Neill all very impressive and by the 20th minute they moved into 1 -5 to 0-5 lead and also missed a goal scoring opportunity when keeper Eoghan Meaney cleared a certain goal off the line from Kieran O'Brien's effort.
However, Clyda Rovers refused to panic and in the 23rd minute struck for a goal through Maurice Clarke following great work by Conor O'Sullivan to level matters at 1-5 each. Exchanges were close from here to the break with Francis J O'Flynn and Conor O'Sullivan trading a point before Eoin Baker struck for an injury time point that helped Glanworth to a slender lead at the shortwhistle 1-7 to 16.
On the restart Glanworth started brightly and an early point from Ross Murphy opened up a two point game. However, the home side lacked the scoring threat the winners possessed in this half and a series of well taken points from Conor Flanagan (two), Conor O'Sullivan, Christopher Buckley, Douglas Noonan, Cian O'Sullivan saw them move into a 1-12 to 1-8 lead by the 56th minute.
Glanworth to their credit battled to the end and had a late point from Eoin Baker and were most unlucky not to take a share of the spoils in injury time when Martin Jackson's effort at goal was brilliantly save off the line by the Rovers keeper Eoghan Meaney. This was greeted by the final whistle with Clyda Rovers maintaining their 100% record to be the first team to reach the league final. Glanworth, Mitchelstown and Charleville must now battle out the second finalist.
