Draw a fair result after slow burning Cloone Eslin clash

Judging from the frustration emanating from both camps, a draw may just have been the fairest result as a Conor Beirne two point free deep into added time secured a draw for Eslin against Cloone in this tense Fresh Today Junior A FC clash last Friday in Cloone.

It didn't seem that way early on as Eslin grabbed a point within 20 seconds and then Cloone had a shot that was first given as a point and then waved wide. But perhaps the tension of the game started to tell on both sides.

Eslin, without a win after two outings, needed a win to keep their hopes of making the playoffs alive while Cloone knew a win would almost guarantee them a place in the knockout stages. That translated into a messy game with some bad wides and missed chances from both teams.

Eslin controlled most of the contest until Eoghan Keegan pounced for a goal midway through the second half, the score controversial as the  Cloone man took quite a few steps before lashing home to the Eslin net.

But Eslin refused to be cowed and despite seeing a goal shot saved on the line and Conor Beirne putting a two point free wide, the former County man notching a 50 yard two point free over four minutes into added time to secure a vital draw.

Eoghan Keegan was Cloone's best performer with good work from Brian Donohue and Donal Brennan while James McNabola, Aaron McCrann, Conor Beirne, Eamon Stenson and Tomas Beirne starred for Eslin 

Both teams were left somewhat unhappy with the draw but when they reflect back on the game, they'll probably be happy with a point, given that it gets them closer to where they want to be with Eslin facing Mohill in a must win game next Sunday while Cloone are on a break week.

James McNabola opened the scoring after just 20 seconds and after confusion over a Cloone shot, Eslin extended their lead with a Conor Beirne two point free on three minutes. Cloone opened their account seven minutes in when Donal Brennan scored after great work by Brian Donohue up the wing.

Eslin were dominating with McNabola and Conor Beirne (free) extending the lead to four points but two Eoghan Keegan frees came either side of goal incidents at either end - James McNabola saw his shot hit the inside of the post and go across the face of the goal before being cleared while Brennan was denied by an alert Enda Turbett.

Conor Beirne hit another free before Donal Brennan hit a nice effort on the turn to leave it 0-6 to 0-4 at the halftime break, both sides guilty of some bad wides before halftime.

Sub Michael Cunningham opened the second half scoring with a first minute point for Cloone but good work from James McNabola and Gearoid Reynolds set up Eamon Stenson for a third minute response.

Cloone almost had a goal but Eoghan Keegan's effort was blocked . Eslin also had a goal chance, Eamon Stenson's effort blocked by keeper Mickie McGuinness after Tomas Beirne's catch and pass with both teams growing frustrated by misses.

That all changed after 46 minutes when Eoghan Keegan burst through the Eslin defence, taking quite a few steps in the process, before shooting low to the bottom left hand corner, propelling the home team into a one point lead.

The lead didn't last long with Niall McNabola pointing after great work from Aonghus McCrann raiding upfield and Eslin regained the lead when James McNabola hit a fine point despite confusion among the umpires with the score initially given as wide.

Then Brian Mulvey popped up with a great point from the corner on 19 minutes and with Conor Beirne missing a two point free, Michael Cunningham put Cloone back in front with seven minutes left.

A minute later, Eoghan Keegan put over a free that was harshly awarded for over-carrying on an Eslin defender who was fouled as he came out, the ball moved forward for dissent. Eslin tried to hit back straight away but saw a goal bound effort saved on the line.

A breach of the three man rule allowed Conor Beirne to convert a free but Cloone looked as if they would take the verdict when Eoghan Keegan hit yet another free to leave his side two clear entering added time.

The drama was only rising with Conor Beirne putting a two point free attempt narrowly wide after 62 minutes but a resilient Eslin refused to give in, Beirne hitting a monster two point free after 64 minutes to rescue a draw.

CLOONE

Scorers: Eoghan Keegan 1-4, 3f; Donal Brennan & Michael Cunningham 0-2 each; Brian Mulvey 0-1

Team: Mickie McGuinness, Niall Keegan, Dara Tiernan, Cathal Tiernan, Sean Reynolds, Declan Brennan, Conor Keegan, Brian Mulvey, Michael Bohan, Niall Quinn, Eoghan Keegan, Brian Donohue, Gavin Reynolds, Donal Brennan, Sean Bohan. Subs: Michael Cunningham for Bohan (HT); Darren Brennan for S Reynolds (43); S Bohan for Quinn (53); David Murphy for Donohue (61)

ESLIN

Scorers: Conor Beirne 0-7, 7f; James McNabola 0-2; Eamon Stenson & Niall McNabola 0-1 each

Team: Enda Turbett, Aonghus McCrann, Donnacha Reynolds, Thomas McNabola, Barry Bohan, Ronan Reynolds, Gearoid Reynolds, Tomas Beirne, James Foy, James McNabola, John O'Flynn, Blaine McCrann, Conor Beirne, Eamon Stenson, Niall McNabola. Subs: Paul Kilcrann for O'Flynn (51)

Referee: Eamonn Dolan