Blast from the Past: 2009

CCFL Division 2
Hayward crowned champions
Handsome win secures title

Clonmore United 0 Hayward Celtic 3
@ Boora John Hayes
The Laois side knew fully well that a win against their Offaly opponents would ensure the Divisional title and yet more silverware. In the event The Rock-based outfit had too much pace and guile for the opposition and their comfortable win secured a second successive league title in as many seasons.

Right from the off Hayward set about their task with relish. The visitors began their onslaught on the Clonmore goals with a Mark Dunne shot that just cleared the crossbar. The hosts hit back however and went close twice with Ciaran Dunne and Sean Lawlor shots in quick succession testing Brendan Dalton in the Laois side’s goals. Then an Oisin Geraghty free saw Hayward defend magnificently but when Hayward broke away the opening goal fell their way. Paul Dunne got on the ball out wide and whipped a ball acrossthe face of the Clonmore goals. In their desperation to clear it Sean Wynne had the misfortune to head the ball into his own net.

Laois Soccer News

That opening goal on the quarter-hour-mark set the Laois side up for what would be; ultimately, a comfortable win. Again and again Clonmore’s habit of misplacing passes out of defense allowed the visitors to keep up their momentum. Clonmore custodian Brendan Daly had to be alert when saving a Mark Dunne shot. Dunne then inched closer to opening his tally but his effort was just wide of the near post. The hosts’ response saw a fierce Geraghty free saved well by Dalton. Hayward broke forward again and saw Dunne fouled on the edge of the box. Brian Moss took the resulting free but the flying Daly tipped it over the bar in acrobatic fashion.

Clonmore continued to raid forward sporadically but, in truth, looked only capable of scoring from a setpiece. Hayward continued to dominate and soon had a goal disallowed for handball. Daly was the busier of the two goalies and had to nip in ahead of Mark Gorman to prevent the visitors doubling their lead. Just as it seemed that the Laois side would have to content themselves with a mere one-goal lead at the interval a second goal was gifted to them right before the break. A long ball into the Clonmore area seemed to favour Daly but the heretofore reliable custodian seemed rooted to the spot. Taking advantage Paul Dunne nipped in ahead of the keeper and flicked his header into the empty net.

Right from the onset of the second half Daly had a chance to redeem himself. Paul Dunne’s cross in from the right flank was met expertly by the head of Moss. However his goal-bound effort was saved quite magnificently by the flying figure of Daly. The home side’s relief was short-lived however as both Dunne and Gorman; combining well on the right flank, threatened to tear the homeside apart. Daly then saved an Emmett Healion free before Dunne and Gorman combined again to threaten home goals. Jamie McGuinness had to pull off a thunderous challenge in the heart of the Clonmore defense to keep a rampant visiting side at bay.

Hayward Celtic captain Paul Dunne receiving the CCFL Division 2 trophy from CCFL Registrar Dom Keating

Ivan Lawlor was then put through on goal but the Hayward striker pulled his shot at the end of a sweeping Hayward move. Then Lawlor blazed narrowly over from yet another corner for the visitors. The hosts responded with a Brian Farrell shot that roared just outside Dalton’s woodwork. The Laois side broke through again but Daly was able to beat away Flanagan’s shot. The hosts stood tall and blocked a plethora of goal-bound shots from the visitors. Alas for the brave Offaly men Hayward’s near-monopoly of possession meant their third goal came as no surprise. With just ten minutes remaining Mark Dunne met an incoming corner with a thumping header that flew inside Daly’s backpost and ensured the league trophy.

For a dominant Hayward side the Paul Dunne, Mark Gorman combination was too much for a battling Clonmore side. Indeed had Hayward been a little more clinical infront of goals a five-goal haul wouldn’t have flattened them. For the vanquished Jamie McGuinnesss stood out in defense while Oisin Geraghty was their main offensive weapon.

Clonmore United: Brendan Daly, Brian Farrell, Jamie McGuinness, Sean Wynne, Kai Meyer, Vidius Raulmus, Damian Brazil, Oisin Geraghty; Ciaran Dunne, Sean Lawlor,

Hayward Celtic; Brendann Dalton; Emmett Healion, Brian Cosgrave, Derek Conroy, Paul Harding; Brian Moss, Eddie Flanagan, Paul Dunne, Mark Gorman; Mark Dunne, Ivan Lawlor,Subs used; John Molloy, Peter Ging, Joe Lambe