Carnaross registered a hard fought victory in the opening game of the Junior Championship against Clonard in Dunganny.

Carnaross 1-13 Clonard 0-12

Junior Championship (Round 1)

Played in Dunganny – 7/4/2018

It was Carnaross’ first victory in the opening round of championship since 2010 when they easily accounted for St. Colmcilles in Páirc Tailteann. However this victory was not as straight forward, due to Clonard’s inability to give in which made for an exciting and engaging encounter. 

Carnaross raced out of the blocks and dominated the early proceedings. Frank O’Reilly began by converting a free and Charles Brogan doubled their tally inside 4 minutes. The North Meath side were dictating possession and raced into a 4 point lead courtesy of further well-taken points by Frank O Reilly and midfielder Dermot McGee. Clonard eventually established a foothold by converting a free and following it up with a fine score from play. Carnaross were dominating the middle sector and winning the majority of possession through the industriousness of Tomás Plunkett, Niall McDonnell and Sam Reynolds. The willingness of the defenders to attack created numerous overlaps which Clonard struggled to cope with. Frank punished the overzealous Clonard defending with his unerring accuracy from placed balls. Dermot McGee romped forward to add to his tally and Cormac O Reilly kicked the point of the half from distance to open up a 5 point lead. Clonard converted another free before captain Charles Brogan completed the first half proceedings with a well-earned score. Carnaross led at half-time 0-8 to 0-3 having outfought and outplayed their opponents in the opening 30 minutes. 

Clonard upped their intensity drastically in the second half and demonstrated exactly why they made it to the semi-finals of this competition in 2017. They scored 4 of the first 5 second half points in a 10 minute purple patch. Carnaross were struggling to find their rhythm from the first half and were duly being punished by Clonard’s accuracy both from frees and open play. Frank O Reilly was the sole scorer for Carnaross during this largely barren period with 2 well taken scores from play. With the game in the balance and Carnaross struggling to keep Clonard at bay, the maroon and saffron men stood up and were counted when it mattered most. Plunkett expertly picked out Frank O’Reilly on the 14 yard line who buried it passed the hapless Clonard goalkeeper making it a 5 point game again. Clonard, to their credit, refused to give in and responded with 2 points. Carnaross introduced some experience off the bench in the form of John L McGee and Thomas Nugent with the former pointing from an acute angle and the latter winning some crucial breaking ball. Clonard reduced the deficit to 2 points with 5 minutes remaining by kicking over 2 long range frees but Cian O’Reilly kept them at arm’s length when he finished expertly from distance. Killian Porter guaranteed the victory with a snap shot that broke the Clonard resolve and ensured the points for The Hoops. 

Carnaross ran out deserving 4 point winners but Clonard ensured they earned it, with their never-say-die attitude evident throughout. Carnaross performed well in patches but will need to be more consistent as the long year ahead progresses. The last time Carnaross won their first round of championship was in the Intermediate grade in 2010 against St. Colmcilles. Only 3 players that started that day in 2010, remained against Clonard in 2018 (Dermot McGee, Niall McDonnell and Charles Brogan). This is due mainly to the emergence of talented juveniles in the club, none more so than Jack Roche and Patrick McDermott who made their first team championship debuts. 

Carnaross: Shane McNiffe, Peter Carpenter, Peter S Farrelly, Jack Roche, Killian Porter (0-1), Cian O Reilly (0-1), Liam Brogan, Dermot McGee (0-2), Tomás Plunkett, Niall McDonnell, Frank O’Reilly (1-5, 0-3fs), Cormac O’Reilly (0-1), Sam Reynolds, Charles Brogan (0-2), Paddy McDermott. Subs: Ian Donoghue for Jack Roche, John L McGee (0-1) for Paddy McDermott and Thomas Nugent for Sam Reynolds;