Clonaslee rally against Emo

MSL U11 Major Division

Clonaslee United 2 Emo Celtic 2

This was an explosive start to the new season as both sides strove manfully to wrestle all three points off their opponents. Emo completely dominated the opening half and deserved their two-goal cushion at the interval. However the hosts battled back with a storming second-half display to grab a deserved share of the points.

The visiting side surged out of the starting gate and soon  had the hosts pegged back. Emo’s bright opening quarter was capped off with a superb Liam Crowley finish. With Crowley prominent Emo completely dominated midfield and seemed only a matter of time before the East Laois side would double their advantage. Indeed a well-worked move mid-way through the first half saw Rory Doyle finish to the Clonaslee net to set the seal on Emo’s dominance. Alas the Emo men were made to rue a missed opportunity just before the break to add a third. A surging run up the right flank should have seen the ball crossed to an unmarked Crowley at the backpost. Alas the ball ended up in the sidenetting and with that Emo’s last chance of adding to their score in the opening half.

The home side came out like men possessed after the break. From the off the hosts launched attack after attack. Emo were struggling to keep them out. Again and again inspired goalkeeping from Elliott Scully kept the Emo lead intact. The hosts didn’t relent however and were soon celebrating a fine opening goal that Liam Senior tucked away. Indeed Senior was now the most dominant player on the field and was at the heart of most of Clonaslee’s moves. Eventually Emo’s defence cracked again and Patrick Hyland was on hand to crack home a penalty to even up the scores. Try as Clonaslee might they couldn’t conjure the winning goal as Scully kept up his inspired goalkeeping display.

Keeper Scully was Emo’s best performer overall while Kevin Carroll, Padraig Kirwan, Liam Crowley, Cian Langford and Will Boland all shone in a bright opening-half display. Carroll was Emo’s best defender when under siege late on. Clonaslee can be grateful to the tireless efforts of Jack Owens, Kieran Greene and man-of-the-match Liam Senior.

Clonaslee United: Sean Condon; Stephen Brazil, Shay Foynes, Kieran Greene, Jack Owens, Patrick Hyland, Tom Horan, Cian Steele, James Hickey, Ryan Kilroe, Cian Barratt, Liam Senior, Barry Kelly, Ollie Dunne, Padraig Hickey, Aaron Dunne

Emo Celtic: Elliott Scully; Kevin Carroll, Rory Doyle, Padraig Kirwan, John Keegan, Lee Moore, Ray McClintock, Will Boland, Nathan Hayes, Jack Ryan, Fionn Marum, Cian Langford, Liam Crowley