Brilliant Jacob goals are key to Passage's comeback win over Clonea
Passage's Rory Jacob gets away from Clonea's Michael Curry.
How many times in recent years have we seen sides wearing red and white shirts capitulate in the second half of games? Well, that certainly wasn't the case at Azzurri Walsh Park on Friday evening as Passage, searching for a first win of this year's championship, produced a brilliant second-half display to overcome Clonea by two points.
Clonea were also seeking their first victory of the campaign and, despite putting four goals past Abbeyside in their opening outing, once again failed to get over the line. They were excellent in attack for much of the contest, registering 15 points in the opening 27 minutes alone, but the concession of two first-half goals proved decisive.
Clonea opened with the first two scores of the game through Francis Roche and Kieran Power before Mark Fitzgerald got Passage off the mark. Billy Power restored Clonea's two-point advantage before Passage struck for the opening goal on six minutes. Following a short restart from Eddy Lynch, Eoghan Power delivered down the line to Rory Jacob, who burst through and fired to the net.
James and Billy Power responded for Clonea, but Thomas Carey and Fitzgerald kept Passage in touch. Scores were swapped before a strong Clonea spell saw Gearóid Power, Michael Curry and Francis Roche (two frees) help their side move 0-10 to 1-4 ahead after 17 minutes.
Adam Murray, Carey and Gearóid Power traded points before Passage landed a crucial second goal. Sean Cullinane's delivery was broken by Rory Jacob into the path of Dale Cullinane, who finished to the net and left just a point between the sides.
Two more Roche frees and a point from Máirtín Power stretched the Clonea lead again, while Fitzgerald replied for Passage, leaving the city side trailing 0-15 to 2-6 at the interval.
There was an off-the-ball incident on the half-time whistle which led to a lengthy discussion among the officials before the teams headed for the dressing rooms. On the restart, referee Alan Kissane called Kieran Power, Liam Flynn and Callum O'Neill to midfield and issued yellow cards.
Clonea made the stronger start to the second half as Roche (two) and Gearóid Power extended their lead, with Kevin Cullinane replying for Passage. When Roche pointed again, Clonea led 0-19 to 2-7 after 38 minutes and appeared in control.
What followed brought back memories of Passage's famous comeback victory over Ballygunner in the 2013 county final at the same venue.
Pa Walsh, Thomas Carey, Brian Cullinane, Rory Jacob, Mark Fitzgerald and Carey again all split the posts as Passage hit six unanswered points to move 2-16 to 0-20 ahead with four minutes remaining.
Roche stopped the run with a free, but Liam Flynn and Fitzgerald added to the Passage tally. Roche and Fitzgerald traded points before Kieran Power cut the gap to two.
Stephen Curry was shown a straight red card in stoppage time following a foul on Passage goalkeeper Eddy Lynch. The resulting free was initially awarded to Passage but was reversed after referee Kissane penalised a Passage official behind the goal for dissent, handing Clonea a 20-metre free. Billy Power's effort was kept out by a packed Passage defence and, moments later, the final whistle confirmed a hard-earned Passage victory.
Thomas Carey 0-7 (4f, 1 '65), Mark Fitzgerald 0-6, Rory Jacob 1-2, Dale Cullinane 1-0, Pa Walsh 0-1, Kevin Cullinane 0-1, Liam Flynn 0-1, Brian Cullinane 0-1.
Francis Roche 0-10 (9f), Gearóid Power 0-4, Kieran Power 0-2, Billy Power 0-2, Máirtín Power 0-1, Adam Murray 0-1, Michael Curry 0-1, James Power 0-1, Thomas Skehan 0-1.
Eddy Lynch; Eoghan Power, Callum O'Neill, David Roche; Pa Walsh, Gary Cullinane, Mikey Cummins; Mark Fitzgerald, Sean Cullinane; Kevin Cullinane, Liam Flynn, Thomas Carey; Rory Jacob, Dale Cullinane, Sean Kelly.
Brian Cullinane for Mikey Cummins (38), Adam Roche for Pa Walsh (47), Conor Dalton for David Roche (56), Cathal O'Brien for Liam Flynn (61).
Jack Mackey; Willie Hahessy, Máirtín Power, Tom Walsh; Reece O'Mahony, Kieran Power, Adam Murray; Michael Curry, Stephen Curry; Billy Power, Francis Roche, Gearóid Power; James Power, Conor Dalton, Thomas Skehan.
Ronan Elliffe for Conor Dalton (47).
Alan Kissane (Dunhill).
