Claremorris under 16s came out on top in a competitive match away to Knock/Kiltimagh on Saturday evening securing a 2-0 win.
Claremorris made the brighter start and took the lead on seven minutes. James McCormack sent in a cross from the right-hand side and Simon Butler controlled the ball very well before finishing to the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Steven McGowan and Danny Barry were starting to control central midfield and this dominance led to further chances for Barry and Jack Vahey, who both shot narrowly wide.
The home team looked dangerous on the counter attack and Paul Burke had to make a goal saving tackle on 21 minutes. However, just four minutes later, there was a mix up from a back pass in the home defence and the alert Simon Butler darted in to grab his second goal of the game. Butler turned provider two minutes later and his deep cross from the right was volleyed by Dean Roddy but the keeper made a smart save.
Claremorris did not have things all their own way and the home team hit the woodwork on two occasions, in each half. Claremorris keeper Keith Saunders also had to be alert to keep out a dangerous free-kick midway through the second half and he was solid throughout the game. The referee awarded a penalty to Claremorris in the 55th minute after Dean Roddy's run was brought to an abrupt halt in the box but Simon Butler was denied his hat-trick after a save by the home keeper.
Callum Henry replaced Liam Murphy, who had linked very well with Simon Butler throughout the game, and Henry was involved immediately after a superb through ball by Danny Barry he shot for the top corner only to be denied by an excellent finger-tip save by the home keeper. From the resulting corner Barry's header was saved at point-blank by the keeper. The Claremorris back four of McCormack, Ring, Burke and Joyce had a busy second half as the home team piled on the pressure to try to find a way back into the game but they can be very pleased to have secured a clean sheet.
Claremorris: K Saunders, J McCormack, M Ring, P Burke, N Joyce, J Vahey, S McGowan, D Barry, D Roddy, S Butler, L Murphy. Subs: D King, C Henry, O Brady.
