CLAN NA GAEL 1-13
YOUNG IRELANDS 1-9

A blistering third quarter performance saw Clan na Gael book their place in the last eight of the Intermediate Football Championship with a four-point victory over Young Irelands on Friday night.

In what was crucial night in the All-Dundalk Group 2, neither team nor Sean O'Mahonys, were guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals. However, in the end it was Clans who booked their passage with a victory that also sees the Sean O'Mahonys through as runners-up.

Following their defeat in the opening round, Young Irelands needed to win to have a chance of progressing and their intent was clear from the outset.

In taking the game to the Clans, they didn't allow their opponents settle and with Derek Maguire attacking from deep they caused a number of problems.

However, the Irelanders will be disappointed that they didn't make more of their spell on top and at half time went in with a slender 0-6 to 0-4 lead.

The Clans hadn't been at their best in the first period but came out after the break determined to finish the job they had started with a solid display against the O'Mahonys the previous week.

The opening ten minutes of the second half saw the Castletown side outscore their opponents by 1-6 to 0-1 with Brendan Begley scoring the all-important goal to put his team firmly in control at 1-10 to 0-7.

The Young Irelands did their best to respond and pulled back a point before Mark Savage hit the net from a penalty to put the game back in the balance at 1-10 to 1-8.
However, the Clans made sure there was to be no dramatic comeback as they landed the next three points to secure the win.

The result means that the Clans face Glyde Rangers in the quarter-final while the O'Mahonys will meet St Brides.

CLAN NA GAEL: Sean Smith; Robbie Curran 0-1, Paul Crewe, Kevin Carroll; JJ Quigley 0-2, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Paul Gartland; Ray McCabe, Billy Smith 0-1; Conor Noonan, Paul Gore 0-1, Mark Newell 0-2; Brendan Begley 1-0, Paul Martin, Mark McGeown 0-5. Subs: Micheal McDonnell for M Newell (BC), Craig Long for K Carroll, Drew Duffy 0-1 for P Martin, Stephen Coleman for B Begley.

YOUNG IRELANDS: Fergal Sheehy; Aaron Rogers, Robbie Farrell, Simon Flynn; Derek Maguire 0-1, Jason Mulligan, Stephen Lally; Joseph Flynn 0-2, Sean McLaughlin; Dean Maguire 0-1, Johnny Lynch 0-1, Mark Savage 1-0; Dermot Mone 0-2, Andrew Nixon 0-1, Shane O'Connell. Subs: Alan Hanks,
Jordan O'Donoghue 0-1, Nicholas O'Connor, Barry Piper. Tweet

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