CLAN NA GAEL 3-15
HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS 1-13

Clan na Gael booked a meeting with Kilkerley Emmets in the Intermediate Championship Final after coming through the replay with Hunterstown Rovers at Darver on Thursday night.

The Dundalk side turned in an improved display from Saturday's drawn encounter and Conall McKeever provided the inspiration in front of the posts as he contributed 1-7, including the vital second goal that all but sealed the victory.

It was a disappointing outcome for Hunterstown, who will feel they should have won the first game, but in the end couldn't match the Clans strong finish.

The game had started brightly for the Mid Louth side as they went 0-4 to 0-1 ahead inside eight minutes. However, they suffered a double blow with both Ryan Burns and Muiris O Suilleabhain both being forced off through injury.

Clans took advantage of the disruption to the opposition by getting a grip on the game and were inspired by a brilliant solo goal from JJ Quigley to help his team lead by 1-6 to 0-5 after 15 minutes.

Hunterstown settled in the second quarter and at the break were very much in contention as they trailed by just 1-7 to 0-9.

The first six points of the second half were shared to leave just a point between the teams after 40 minutes. However, the Clans then made the match-winning move with the added two points before McKeever struck for his goal, with the lead then extended to 2-15 to 0-13 entering the dying minutes.

Rovers did pull a goal back through Ryan Ward but there was still enough time for Billy Smith to complete the win with a third goal for the Clans.

The Dundalk side will take on Kilkerley on Sunday September 27 in Haggardstown, with Des McDonnell named as referee.

CLAN NA GAEL: Gavin Neary; Stephen Fitzpatrik 0-1. Paul Gartland, Craig Long; Paul Crewe 0-2, Robbie Curran, Kevin Carroll; Ray McCabe, Billy Smith 1-2; JJ Quigley 1-2, Paul Gore, Mark Newell; Gary Hoey, Conall McKeever 1-7, Mark McGeown 0-1. Subs: Conor Noonan for M Newell, Drew Duffy for C McKeever, Brendan Begley for R McCabe, Ryan Hoey for K Carroll.

HUNTERSTOWN: Alan Fedigan; Brian Mathews, David Finn, Paddy Mooney; Patrick Taaffe, Muiris O Suilleabhain, Keith Brennan; Tony McKenna 0-1, Richard Taaffe; Brendan Lennon 0-2, Ryan Burns 0-1, Ryan Ward 1-2; Padraig Matthews 0-1, Paul Carrie 0-4, Glen Matthews. Subs: Alan Landy for R Burns, Ciaran Carrie for M O Suilleabhain, Niall Carrie for R Taaffe, Stuart Callan for B Lennon.

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