Clann na nGael 2-06
Longwood 0-05

Clann na nGael reached the Junior D Championship Final with a seven point win over Longwood in Brews Hill.

The game started slowly with the Athboy/Ráthcairn men struggling to register a score and trailed by two points early on. However, an Aaron Ryan free kick from left dropped and found its way to the net getting the Clanns off the mark and they would not fall behind again after this. Most of the game in the first twenty minutes was played around the middle of the park with few scoring chances.

The first half continued to lack in scoring as both teams traded points just once before the break, with Michael 'Bishop' Priest getting a fine score for Clann na nGael leaving it at 1-01 to 0-03. Several strong defensive displays in the Clann na nGael defence ensured Longwood would struggle to get goal opportunities throughout the game.

Clann na nGael kicked on in the second half as Aaron Ryan re-opened the scoring with a point from the left early on. Longwood returned with a score at the other end, before a second goal saw the start of Clann na nGael beginning to pull away. A direct ball into Aaron Ryan was given on to Gary Cole who showed his experience to step around the goal keeper whilst one-on-one and slot the ball in from close range.

The Athboy/Ráthcairn team will be pleased with their ability to close out the game outscoring their opponents by four points to one before the end. This was helped by the work rate of the team and the use of strong substitutes off the bench in the final twenty minutes.

Strong performances from Phillip Garry, Colm Conneely, Michael Priest, Gary Cole and Aaron Ryan helped ensure the win for Clann na nGael. They will now face Ballinlough in the decider.


Clann na nGael Team: Trevor Wallace, Jack Doherty, Gerry Sullivan, Phillip Garry, Colm Conneely, Thomas Whelehan, David Smith, Darren Heaney, Michael Priest (0-2), Sean Fitzsimons, Gary Cole (1-0), Ciaran Ryan, Joe McDonagh, Aaron Ryan (1-4), David Wright, Subs: Gary Mangan for David Wright, Kenny Connell for Joe McDonagh, Kevin Conneely for Ciaran Ryan, Padraic Joyce for David Smith, Christ Fitzsimons for Sean Fitzsimons Tweet

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