With the mercury touching 30 degrees in Netwatch Cullen Park, it was testing conditions for players in this Division 5 League Final.
Clonmore had a shaky start but it wasn't long before the fitness levels of our younger lads began to tell as the Cocks wilted in the sweltering heat. A penalty for a foul on John McGrath in the square in the 6th minute gave Shane McGrath the chance to settle the Clonmore nerves and we reached the first water break 1-1 to 0-2 ahead.
In the Clonmore backline, Anthony McDonald, Jake Hickey and Andrew Byrne were outstanding and gave the Cock's forwards no quarter.
''Shock' McGrath was in scintillating form and won every ball that went into his corner. He kept the scoreboard operator busy with five points in the first half and his second goal on 26 minutes ended the game as a contest. Further points by the hard running Paddy Byrne and the lively Kevin McCarney left us leading 2-7 to 0-2 at half-time.
The second half followed a similar patter and the result was never in doubt.
It was a very happy Jim Bolger, Carlow County Chairman, who presented the Cup to Clonmore Captain, Willie Byrne. Well done to the Clonmore team and mentors and best wishes in the 2020 Championship Semi-Final against Tinryland next Wednesday.
Team: Jason Fitzharris, Jake Hickey (0-1), Anthony McDonald, Rory McKernan, Sean Tompkins, Andrew Byrne, Eoin Connolly (1-0), Willie Byrne, Paddy Byrne (0-1), Jamie Walsh, Colm McGrath, Kevin McCarney (0-1), Owen Coleman (0-2,1f), John McGrath, Shane McGrath (2-7, 5frees, 1pen). Subs: Rory Maguire for Sean T (25m), Larry Doyle for Collie (40m), Adam Smith for John McGrath (inj, 45m), Willie Rooney for Kevin (47m), Darragh McKernan for Shane McGrath (47m). Unused subs: Clive Lambe, John Kelly, Pauric Lawlor, Luke Mullen, Conor McCarney (inj), Aaron Corless, Cathal Foley.
Selectors: Jamie Doyle, Mick O'Neill, Stephen Byrne, Pauric Lawlor. Physio: Paddy Byrne.
PHOTO: Back: Stephen Byrne (Selector), Luke Mullen, Willie Rooney, John Kelly, Anthony McDonald, Pauric Lawlor, Clive Lambe, Owen Coleman, Paddy Byrne, Jamie Walsh, Eoin Connolly, Larry Doyle, Andrew Byrne, Shane McGrath, Jamie Doyle (Selector).
Front: Mick O'Neill (Selector), Conor McCarney, Rory Maguire, Rory McKernan, Kevin McCarney, Adam Smith, Darragh McKernan, Jake Hickey, Willie Byrne (Captain), Sean Tompkins, Collie McGrath, Jason Fitzharris.
