Mayo stars make the difference for Shrule/Glencorrib

County stars make difference


Division 1A
Shrule/G’corrib 0-11
Claremorris 1-5

Austin Garvin
Shrule

AN overall edge in scoring power proved decisive as Shrule/Glencorrib edged out a young, gritty Claremorris side in Division 1A of the Welcome Inn Senior Football League at Shrule on Saturday evening last.
The prevailing conditions were very difficult for the teams; a heavy pitch together with a strong wind and heavy showers made for extremely tough conditions. However, both sides put all this behind them to deliver a contest full of honest endeavour even if the skill level suffered at times.
One felt throughout that the more experienced home team would prevail, especially as they went to the dressing rooms at the break leading by 0-5 to 0-4.
They played into a strong wind in the first half and used a hard-working Trevor Mortimer judiciously to help out their midfield. This created more space inside for Mark Ronaldson and Conor Mortimer, but a hard-working Claremorris defence marked them closely throughout.
The sides were all square at 0-2 apiece after fifteen minutes, with Conor and Trevor Mortimer pointing for the home side and Shane Meehan and Donal Feeley replying for the losers. The close exchanges continued throughout the half, with the more potent finishing of the home side seeing them add further points to their total from Mark Ronaldson, and Conor Mortimer (2).
Shane Prendergast and Shane Meehan contributed a point apiece to the Claremorris total, which saw the locals ahead by a single point at the break.
When Shrule/Glencorrib rattled off two fine points from Mark Ronaldson and Trevor Mortimer in as many minutes it looked as if Claremorris would roll over easily. That they didn’t says a lot for this young inexperienced side. They often carried the game to the winners with their close-knit combination play and good ball retention.
The visitors were level after ten minutes of the half with a goal good enough to adorn any occasion. It started with the imperious Paddy Navin at full-back and travelled through several pairs of hands, before Shane Prendergast set up Donal Feeley who duly dispatched to the net.
Even though this proved to be their final say on the scoreboard, Claremorris continued to prove stubborn opposition. They did well in defence and at midfield where Brian Gallagher and David Egan worked hard throughout.
However, they suffered in the art of scoring, in stark contrast to the more potent winners who were able to carve out scores despite the fact they were closely marked by a tight-marking losers’ defence.
Following the Claremorris goal, Shrule/Glencorrib added three further points from Mark Ronaldson and Trevor and Conor Mortimer. The elder Mortimer was the rallying force throughout and his joust with Claremorris full-back Paddy Navin was worth the admission fee alone.
Overall, Kenny Mortimer will be happy to get off to a winning start to the season. Even though missing quite a lot of his seasoned campaigners he will be delighted with the contribution of the young players he introduced.
Claremorris too will have noted the determination and spirit shown by a side shorn of a lot of regulars. Manager Niall Heffernan will be looking for more penetration in attack though going forward.

Shrule/Glencorrib
P Monaghan; R Walsh, K Conroy, R Murray; N Sullivan, L Garvey, D Walsh; C O’Dowd, J Lohan; R Warde, K Walsh, R Carey; C Mortimer (0-5 2fs), T Mortimer (0-3), M Ronaldson (0-3).
Subs used: Dermot Geraghty for R Murray; N Carroll for D Walsh; S Mellett for R Warde.

Claremorris
A McCallig; D Griffith, P Navin, B Fahey; P Ring, Sean Prendergast, A Feeley; B Gallagher, D Egan; L Feeley, M Gallagher, Shane Prendergast (0-1); A Healy, D Feeley (1-1), S Meehan (0-3, 2fs).
Subs used: T Griffin for A Healy; J O’Boyle for S Meehan.

Referee: D Corcoran (Islandeady)