U14: Honours for Clann na nGael

September 05, 2014

Clann Na nGael had a point to spare over Gaeil Colmcille in the U14 Group C Summer league final at Pairc Tailteann. TO VIEW A SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THIS GAME CLICK HERE

Clann na nGael 1-9
Gaeil Colmcille 1-8

This match was delayed for nearly half an hour because of floodlight failure but when the lights finally came on we were treated to a great game of football between two well disciplined and skillfull teams.

1-9 to 1-8 would appear to be a low scoring match at underage level looking at scores in similar matches but this can be put down to the tremendous work rate and commitment of both teams from 1 to 15.

The Kells men got off to the better start and got the first score after only a minute a well taken long range point. Clann na nGael replied quickly with some good team play and lead by 2 points to 1 after 10 minutes. Clann had a great goal chance then but it was narrowly wide from a good shooting angle. Defences remained on top for most of the half with the Athboy side getting scores through Tomas Doyle, Matthew Smith and Sean Ivers to lead 4 to 2 .The Kells lads had a good goal chance then but goal keeper Eoin Griffin got down quickly to block a goal bound shot. Two long range points from Dirmuid O'Donnachada and Darragh Canny and a reply from Kells saw the half time score 6 points to 3 in the Athboy sides favour.

The second half saw more of the same with hard tackling and great defence from both sides. The Athboy lads enjoyed more pocession but it was the Kells lads who got the scores and had drew level at 7 points apiece with 15 mins to go. A well worked score on the Clann na nGael right  by Matthew Smith following some good play along the wing from Tommy Hanley and Ryan McNamee put the Clanns back in the lead. When Tomas Doyle scored a goal following a fisted point by him it looked like the Kells lads were finally beaten but not so. Conal Courtney switched to attack and pointed from distance. Then following some good work by the Kells midfield Courtney was in on goal and beat the keeper to leave only a point between the sides with time almost up. The Kells men never gave up and were then awarded a free which went just wide. Then on their next attack they looked to be in on goal but Killian Swaine somehow got his hand on the ball and cleared down the field. When ref Declan Browne blew up Clann had won by the minimum score in a great game.

Clann na nGael had some great performances on the night with captain Ryan mcManus and his midfield partner Darragh Swaine getting through great work. Their forwards worked hard with Doyle getting 1-3 from play. Tommy Hanley covered every blade of grass of Pairc Tailteann but on a night when defences were on top with John Farrell, Chris Ucheana and Paul Tuite all excelling the better team on the night won out if only just.


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