St Patricks started brightly and a couple of excellent points from the impressive Brian Byrne and Jack O'Neill gave them an early lead. Clonmore then got into their stride and points from Jordan Tallon, Sean Moran, Oisín Doyle and a free from an acute angle by Dylan Doyle put them 0-4 to 0-2 ahead in 10 minutes. Further points from Jack O'Neil and Craig Staunton from a well taken 'mark', kept St Patricks in the game as they gave as good as they got. But in a game that saw some exceptional point scoring, Oisín Doyle and Rober Bulmer added a couple of super points to give the home team a 0-6 to 0-4 lead at the first Water Break.
Unfortunately for the Tullow men, they lost the influential Jack O'Neill to an injury shortly before the Water Break. Exchanges continued to be closely fought and more quality points were scored for Tullow by Brian Byrne (2) and attacking wing-back Dylan Hanley while Clonmore replied through Jordan Tallon and Dylan Doyle (2) to leave the score at Half-time: 0-9 to 0-7.
The second half saw Clonmore dominate for long periods and extend their lead to 0-12 to 0-8 but they couldn't put away the dogged Tullowmen and a well taken goal by Brian Byrne and a pointed free by the same player drew them level at 0-12 to 1-9 on 46 minutes. At this stage it was anyone's game but Clonmore lifted their game again and two late points by rampaging centre-back Billy Lawlor and Rory Maguire gave them a 0-14 to 1-9 lead on 56 minutes.
But a two point lead is a dangerous one and there was still time for late drama as Clonmore goalkeeper Aaron Corless had to be brave to save in a one-to-one situation to give Clonmore a hard earned and deserved win.
Clonmore Team: Aaron Corless, Darragh McKernan, Anthony Kealy-McDonald, James Whelan, Jake Hickey, Billy Lawlor (0-2), Cormac Connolly, Luke Connolly, Robert Bulmer (0-1), Eoin Connolly, Rory Maguire (0-1), Jordan Tallon (0-2,1f), Oisín Doyle (0-2), Sean Moran (0-2), Dylan Doyle (0-4,1f). Subs: Marty Walsh for McKernan (50m), McKernan for Cormac Connolly (inj 58mins).
St Patricks: Ciaran Orbinski, Cian Doran, Niall Gahan, Ronan Healy, Dylan Hanley (0-2), Dylan Gorman-Comerford, Patrick Doyle, Stephen Metcalfe, Mark Sherratt, Jack O'Neill, Stephen Carroll, David Orbinski (0-2), Eoghan Cunnane, Craig Stautnton (0-1), Brian Byrne (1-4, 3f). Subs: Owen Dempsey for David Orbinski, Lee Nolan for Cian Doran, Killian O'Neill for Ronan Healy, Tadhg Black for Craig Staunton.
Referee: Billy Fanning (Ballon).
