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31 July 2008
What a rip roaring game of hurling we had in Hennessey Park on Tuesday evening! A final U-16 group match with places in the knock out stages of the championship on offer for Parteen/Meelick and our own boys....
A point in the 1st minute gave the visitors an early lead before Ryan O'Neill hit 2 points to give Clooney/Quin the advantage. P/M restored parity before Jason Ryan scored a good point to put us 3-2 up.
Between the 15th and 19th minutes the East Clare side notched up an incredible 1 goal and 5 points to take a commanding grip on the game. Peter Duggan steadied the ship with a pointed free in the 23rd. P/M fired over another minor before Shane Smyth, relishing his switch to the forwards, hit a great point. The last score of the half was a 9th point for the visitors to leave the half-time score of Clooney/Quin 0.5 Parteen/Meelick 1.9.
Henry Ford once said: 'Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right!" Clooney/Quin certainly thought at half-time that they could do a lot better!
They came out with far more conviction and purpose in the 2nd half. For the next 15 mins. it was 'All Clooney/Quin'.
A pointed free from Peter in the 6th min. was followed by a screamer of a goal by Shane Smyth a minute later. Peter was again on target from a placed ball. Johnny Reynolds raced down the left wing and his shot on the run split the posts. The inspirational Alan Miller then raided the right wing to execute the equalizing point.
So, at the 3/4 stage it was 1.9 each and very much game on.
Little did we know, the best was yet to come!
In the 17th minute, Joe Clune punched the air after powering through the visitors' defence to rattle the net - 2.9 to 1.9.
This score sparked Parteen/Meelick to life again and they won a semi-penalty. It was duly dispatched and the sides were level again.
With 21 mins. on the clock the home side won a 20m free. Up stepped Ryan O'Neill with only one thing on his mind! There were 5 on the P/M line - but none of them saw the ball. It was a bullet! Advantage Clooney/Quin.
Parteen/Meelick are a fine team and were not going to give up easily. They piled on the pressure and were rewarded with another green flag in the 25th min. This one scored from very close range. The sides were deadlocked again - 3.9 to 3.9.
In the 27th min. P/M sent over a free to take a precious 1 point lead.
Our boys still believed they could get something from this game and battled accordingly. When we won a free, with time almost up, we wondered were we in line for our 3rd draw of the campaign. However it was not going to be easy. 50m out and near the sideline, Peter stood over the sliotar. His shot was on target but dipped at the last second to deceive the crowded goalmouth and nestled sweetly in the back of the Parteen/Meelick net. ( Peter's version is that he saw a gap! )
Puck-out was taken and the ref. blew the final whistle on this epic battle. What a game it was between two excellent sides!
Well done to every Clooney/Quin player! All played their part.
Final Score: Clooney/Quin 4.9 Parteen/Meelick 3.10
Our Scorers: Peter Duggan 1.3, Ryan O'Neill 1.2, Shane Smyth 1.1, Joe Clune 1.0, Jason Ryan, Johnny Reynolds and Alan Miller 0.1 each.
