A PLACE in the Cork ETB Rebel Óg U18 Premier 1 FC semi-finals was achieved in emphatic fashion by Clonakilty – but nobody in the camp is getting carried away.

BY JOHNNY CAROLAN

Winners of the Premier 2 title at U16 level two years ago, Clon took the decision to play at Premier 1 level for minor. This was done primarily to expose players to a higher standard of football as preparation for the step up to adult level but they have shown that they can more than handle the demands.

Having opened with an impressive win over league winners Douglas, Clon built on that with a fine away win against Na Piarsaigh. It meant that they went into the recent clash with Glanmire at Ahamilla knowing that the avoidance of defeat would send them through to the last four, though an away victory would have led to a three-way tie and possible participation in a semi-final play-off.

In the event, Clon maintained their momentum and a 2-11 to 0-10 victory secured top spot in the table. For selector Daragh Whooley, there was pride in a job that was collectively well done.

'Absolutely, it’s a fantastic achievement,' he said.

'This particular group, they've been building over the last couple of years and Premier 2 went quite well.

'Our job is really all around preparing them for the next phase – to keep playing, go on and play senior football with the club. Every day, every win is a bonus and we're just happy to be able to compete.

'Sometimes, you get a good crop and we’re very lucky with who we have involved. We've got great people – Tom Mannix, the chairman of the club, and Neil Deasy, a great guy in charge and Haulie O’Neill, Haulie the Butcher as we call him!

'It’s all about encouraging the lads and we have good numbers turning out.

'I think at the start of the year, we really didn't know what to expect.

'The big plus for us is that we're able to compete – hand on heart.'

While Clon benefit from the attacking output of Whooley’s son Tom and Jack Byerley, their progress has been built on a superb defence, with just 1-28 conceded across three matches.

The victory against Glanmire is made even more impressive in that regard by the fact that inspirational captain and centre-back Ben Coffey was injured while goalkeeper Dylan Falvey was unavailable.

Full-back James Costello took over as skipper and led a massive effort in securing the clean sheet while Clon were creative in replacing Falvey – Ewan Knowles, normally a key man at midfield, took the red number 1 jersey.

'He's very talented,' he said.

'He's very heavily involved with Munster Rugby at the moment, which is brilliant, and we asked him on the Monday night if he’d mind going in goal.

'You could see the kickouts, he was booming them 50, 60 yards.

'He was excellent and the backs in general have been great all year long. They’ve been really solid.'