Aaron Ryan scooped the scoring honours as Clann na nGael saw off Ballinlough in the JFC D final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday night

Clann na nGael  1-10
Ballinlough  0-10

The Clann na nGael number 13 finished with 1-3 to his name and his well-taken seventh minute goal at the town end earned Cathal Seoighe's charges a lead they maintained to the end.

That goal separated the sides at the break. The Athboy-Rathcairn outfit moved five points clear on three occasions in the second-half.

Midfielder Michael Priest and corner forward Gary Mangan each bagged a brace of points.

With Gerry O'Sullivan prominent at full-back, Clann na nGael had the wherewithal to withstand the rallies that got Ballinlough to within a goal of the eventual winners on three occasions in the second-half.

The experienced Tom Shine marked his 20-minute cameo with a brace of points for Ballinlough while Gary Reilly - operating at full-forward - almost found the net with a punched effort in the 54th minute that went over the bar.

Midfielder Kevin Mallen was another to show well for the side coached by former county man Peader Byrne.

Ballinlough were first to break with pointed frees from James O'Higgins and Kevin Mallen within five minutes of the throw-in.

The pendulum quickly swung Clann na nGael's way with Aaron Ryan cracking home a great goal at the town end in the seventh minute. It was quickly following by a Michael Priest point and it was 1-1 to 0-2 to Clann na nGael.

When Priest doubled his tally in the 15th minute the Athboy-Rathcairn outfit were a goal to the good.

An excellent Kevin Mallen point was next up in the 20th minute when the Ballinlough midfielder finished a fine solo run with a neat score.

The sides exchanged points with Ken Rothwell replying to Aaron Ryan's effort before the latter was off target from a free in central position just outside the 'D' in the 25th minute.

Shortly after Ballinlough wing-back Jonathan Montgomery was wide from a favourable position. The final score of the half arrived in the third minute of stoppage time when corner back Phillip Garvey sent over to leave Clann na nGael leading by 1-4 to 0-4 at the break.

Despite facing the breeze Clann na nGael resumed with an Aaron Ryan point within 40 seconds of the restart. Ken Rothwell countered that in the 35th minute when completing a fine move. From there to end Ciaran Ryan-captained side were able to keep Ballinlough at bay.

Clann na nGael - Trevor Wallace; Jack Doherty, Gerry O'Sullivan, Phillip Garry (0-1); David Smith, Thomas Whelehan, Colm Conneely; Michael Priest (0-2), Darren Heaney; Ciaran Ryan (C) (0-1), Gary Cole (0-1), Sean Fitzsimons; Aaron Ryan (1-3), Joseph McDonagh, Gary Mangan (0-2). Subs - David Wright for McDonagh (26), Kenny O'Connell for S Fitzsimons (47), Padraig Seoighe for Conneely (52).

Ballinlough - Lorcan Gibney; James O'Keefe, Emmet Smith, Matthew Farrell; Jonathan Montgomery, Dessie Reilly jnr, Paul Monaghan; Kevin Mallen (0-2, 1f), Gary Reilly (0-1); Patrick Briody, Ken Rothwell (0-2), Kevin Byrne; James O'Higgins (0-2fs), Simon Deevey (0-1), Daire Farrelly. Subs -  Dylan Montgomery for Farrelly (ht), Tom Shine (0-2) for Briody (37), Terence Fagan for Monaghan (53).

Referee - Sean Kerley (Meath Hill)

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