Two goals from Shane Mackey fired Roanmore to their first win of the Waterford SHC against Clonea at Walsh Park on Friday night (2-20 to 0-21)
Gavin O'Brien delivered eleven points (ten from frees) for Stephen Gough's side and created four others. Sean Burke shot three from play. Jason Gleeson (0-8), Billy Power (0-7) and Kieran Power (0-3) led the Clonea charge.
The Sky Blues enjoyed a two point advantage at the end of a lively opening half (1-9 to 0-10). Shane Mackey stung the roof of the net in the ninth minute after Sam Pender intercepted a short puckout. Gavin O'Brien accounted for six points (five frees).
Billy Power knocked over five for Clonea (three frees, one 65 and one from play). Ciarán Power started strongly at centre back and sent over a long range point. Roanmore attackers Conor Ryan and Sam Pender came into the game during the second quarter and won frees which O'Brien dispatched.
Clonea levelled within two minutes of the restart as Billy Power and Jason Gleeson converted frees. Conor Ryan won a couple of crucial frees for Roanmore and O'Brien edged them in front again.
On 43 minutes, a defence splitting run from Rory Furlong took out five Clonea backs and Shane Mackey blasted the ball home (2-13 to 0-13). O'Brien then created two points from sideline cuts for substitutes Josh Sheridan and Brian Nolan.
Jason Gleeson sent over seven second half frees for Clonea but they didn't trouble Roanmore netminder Jack Chester. Another Sky Blue sub Paul O'Sullivan sealed victory with a last minute point.
Roanmore can finish top of Group A and secure a place in the quarter finals with a win over Tallow next weekend.
