Published: Wednesday, 20th August, 2008 12:00pm

WESTENRA HOTEL JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Clones 0-12 Aghabog 1-6

A strong final quarter that was inspired by sub Declan McKernan saw Clones come from being two points in arrears at the end of the third quarter to win by three in this keenly-contested if, at times, scrappy affair in Gavan Duffy Park, Monaghan on Sunday evening last.

The introduction of McKernan gave a whole new impetus to the Clones attack and the simple tactic of playing in high ball to him worked a treat as the experienced campaigner used his strength on the ball to pick off two good points and create a number of other chances one of which led to a penalty in the closing minutes as Clones wrapped up victory against an Aghabog side that seemed to lose their way at that particular juncture.

Wrong options

In any analysis, Aghabog will have to look back on a game where they did not translate their first-half dominance into sufficient scores and when the pressure was on they simply missed too many chances or saw players taking the wrong option.

Scores were at a premium in the opening quarter of the end of which Clones led by a single point and Aghabog not registering their first score until the 16th minute, although by that stage they could have been well in front.

From there to the half-time whistle they were the more dominant side as they opened a three points lead after 25 minutes but Clones fought back to hit two late points to leave the minimum between the sides at the break.

Aghabog got the perfect start to the second-half with a goal after just 25 seconds to put them four points in front and while Clones responded to get the margin down to two by the 14th minute Aghabog still looked capable of pushing on from there.

McKernan"s impact

The introduction of Declan McKernan at full forward by Clones changed the course of the game as he imposed himself to great effect and got a hand on anything that came his way from there to the finish.

Clones had drawn level by the 24th minute thanks to the accuracy and the work rate of Colm Connolly who finished top scorer with seven points and McKernan"s opener in the 23rd minute.

McKernan restored Clones to the lead for only the second time in the game in the 29th minute and he earned the penalty going into stoppage time with Colm Connolly opting to take the point to leave Clones holding a three points lead at the final whistle.

Clones - Ciaran Morgan; Fintan Kelly, Patrick McCarville, Danny Rooney, Paul Connolly, Michael Treanor, Fergal McFarland, Fintan Cunningham, Ross Adamson, Darragh Graham, Kieran Kierans, Darragh Holland, Colm Connolly 0-7 (3f,1p), Colin McCaughey, Adrian Alford 0-2. Subs: Declan McKernan 0-2 for R Adamson, Sarto Quigley for D Holland, Niall Nolan for D Graham.

Aghabog - Derek McCarville, Martin Fox, Paddy McCabe, Shane Brady, Declan Dolan, Mark McBride, Paddy O"Brien 0-1, Aidan Brady, Gary McBride 0-1 (f), Shane Mulligan, Gregory Treanor 1-0, Stephen Greenan, Sean O"Brien 0-3, Declan Smyth 0-1 (f), Francis Dolan. Subs: Eunan Croarkin for S Greenan, Liam Kelly for F Dolan.

Referee: Martin McGinn (Aughnamullen).