Clodiagh Rangers back up impressive derby victory with win over Cloughjordan

North Tipperary District League

Clodiagh Rangers B      3     

Cloughjordan B            1

Clodiagh were hoping to build on last week's impressive win against Rearcross when they welcomed Cloughjordan to a sunny Drombane last Sunday.

Clodiagh began brightly with chances falling to Oisin Treacy and Jim Dwyer early upfront but some wayward shooting saw the away net unruffled. The game remained scoreless until the 22nd minute when in a rare foray forward from Cloughjordan saw them break the deadlock when a clever one-two on the edge of the box saw Mickey Griffin facing a one-on-one with the striker and for once he was beaten low to his right.

This seemed to awaken Clodiagh finally and with that, they began to press forward through Tom Purcell and the impressive Jamie Davern on the wing who tormented the Cloughjordan defence with some strong dribbles and excellent distribution.

A long period of Clodiagh domination finally bore fruit in the 38th minute through the superb Pa Dwyer after his incessant chasing down finally paid off when he found himself free on the right-hand side and lobbed the keeper from 25 yards to open account for the season.

More pressure was to follow and Clodiagh finally took the lead in the 42nd minute through the impressive Dylan O’Grady when he met Blaine Carroll’s corner to powerfully head the home side into the lead before the halftime break.

The second half began as the first ended with Clodiagh on the front foot and the game was put beyond Cloughjordan's reach in the 58th minute when some intricate interplay on the edge of the box between Paul Ryan and Jim Dwyer saw Ryan through on goal and calmly slid the ball under the onrushing keeper.

The game seemed to peter out as a contest after this, Clodiagh seemed happy to sit on their two-goal lead and Cloughjordan were unable to impose themselves. A handy three points in the bag for the home side taken without having to exert themselves too much.

Co-manager Michael Brown spoke to us after the game “We are always happy to take three points in any game but we can’t afford another mediocre performance like this as there will be stiffer challenges coming down the line as the season goes on”

Clodiagh Rangers: Mickey Griffin, Nippy Casey, Dylan O’Grady, Tom Purcel, Jamie Davern, John Ryan Casey, Blaine Carroll, Pa Dwyer, Cian McGrath, Oisin Treacy, Jim Dwyer.

Subs: Eanna Ryan, Pat Ryan, Ailbe O’Donoghue, Conor Ryan, Shane Davern.