Clonmore 0-10 Middletown 0-10
Clonmore and Middletown couldn’t be separated and will have to do it all again to decide the 2025 junior champions. Two late scores from the boot of Jodi Nixon earned Clonmore another chance.
Middletown were two up going down the stretch and even when the game was tied, they passed up numerous opportunities that would have secured the title for the first time since 2008.
Neither side really played to their full potential and will be grateful to have another go. The wet and windy conditions denied any real hope of free flowing football but the two teams still served up an entertaining encounter.
They were evenly matched during the opening exchanges. A Fionnan O’Braonain brace (both frees) cancelled out scores from Caolan Donaghy and Daniel Cullen. Middletown then took the lead for the first time when Johnny Trainor nudged them in front.
A huge two-pointer from Clonmore skipper Donaghy edged them back ahead. O’Braonain added his third, his first from play, while Ruairi McCann also pointed. That gave Middletown a 5-4 advantage at the halfway stage.
Chris McCann grew the gap after the turnaround but Cahal Cunningham and Sean Quigley got Clonmore back on level terms. Sean Og McGuinness tagged on two in a row but his efforts were matched at the other end by Cunningham and Donaghy.
O’Braonain notched another from the dead ball while substitute Cohen McCann fisted Middletown two ahead. But Clonmore rattled off the final two points of the day, both from Nixon, to force a replay.