Clann na nGael  3-17
St Ultan's  1-9

On a landmark occasion for the club, Clann na nGael outscored St Ultan's in the Coolrite Refrigeration Under 21 F B final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

The achievement of Tommy Hanley's charges was made all the more notable as it was the first time Clann na nGael lifted the cup that commemorates one of their members, Stiofan O Mealoid, who died in road accident in 2007.

Some of Clann na nGael's 20 scores were delightful efforts with Aaron Ennis leading the way with 1-8. Eight different players contributed to the winners' tally

Clann na nGael bossed matters for all bar the middle third of the opening half. They were 1-3 to 0-8 in arrears after 20 minutes but responded to outscore their neighbours by 2-14 to 1-1 over the final two third of the hour.

Both sides availed of the extra space afforded in this 13-a-side competition to post some excellent scores. The winners were particularly prolific in this regard.

Two Ennis points in quick succession restored Clann na nGael's lead in the 26th minute. Making use of their physical superiority they kept increasing that lead as the hour wore on.

After completing their goal tally in the 35th minute through Daragh Griffin, they added nine more points - some top drawer efforts - before the hour elapsed. But for a fine save by St Ultan's 'keeper Cian Farnan, Clann na nGael might have got for a fourth goal through Luke Swaine in the 39th minute.

Another excellent save by Farnan (at the expense of a point) in the 55th minute denied Eamon O Donncha a second goal. Just before the end St Ultan's Sean Power was dismissed by referee Ciaran Flynn.

Playing into the town goal, it took Clann na nGael less than 50 seconds to get off the mark with Aaron Ennis netting with Ronan McDonagh providing the assist. By the fifth minute the Athboy-Rathcairn outfit had 1-2 on the board after Ronan McDonagh and Caoimhin Griffin pointed.

Clad mainly in black, St Ultan's then took centre stage to register eight points by the 20th minute. Mark Allen led the charge with five points (three frees) and
was central to other scores. Team captain Ronan Galligan chipped in with a notable score.

St Ultan's were denied a goal in the 16th minute when Clann na nGael 'keeper Anthony Swaine smothered Ronan Breslin's close range effort at the end of a sweeping move. When the ball was recycled the St Ultan's number 13 left it 0-5 to 1-3.

St Ultan's maintained their momentum moving 0-8 to 1-3 clear by the 20th minute when Allen posted his fifth point of the half. Then the tide turned again with Clann na nGael tagging on 1-4 without reply in the final third of the half.

The most telling score in that sequence was Clann na nGael's second goal with Eamon O Donncha finishing from close range having been given an advantage by referee Ciaran Flynn. St Ultan's lost wing-back Shane Dolan to a black card at this point.

Although the next score didn't arrive until the 35th minute it was worth the wait a Daragh Griffin goal at the old swimming pool end, a fisted effort that completed a sweeping move. When Ennis pointed seconds later, St Ultan's were losing sight of Clann na nGael who were now nine points clear, 3-8 to 0-8.

Clann na nGael tagged on a further nine points while St Ultan's managed just two second half scores, a well struck penalty by team captain Ronan Galligan in the 53rd minute, a flag that completed their tally. A Mark Allen free was the Bohermeen-parish side's sole other score after the break.

Clann na nGael - Anthony Swaine; Oran Fitzpatrick (0-1), Carl Kelly (C); Phillip Garry, Ronan McDonagh (0-2, 1f) , Conor Dunne; Daragh Griffin (1-0), Sean Reilly; Luke Swaine (0-2), Darragh Brogan (0-1), Eamon O Donncha (1-1); Aaron Ennis (1-8), 0-3fs), Caoimhin Griffin (0-2, 1 45). Subs - Gerry O'Sullivan for Dunne (25), Jack Doherty for R McDonagh (52), Ciaran Fitzsimons for Reilly (59).

St Ultan's - Cian Farnan; Sean O Hoibheard, Luke O'Reilly; Jack Murray, Martin, Dolan, Shane Dolan; Sean Power, Ronan Galligan (C) (1-1, 1-0 pen); Mark Allen (0-6, 4fs), Emmet Costello (0-1), Tony Smyth; Ronan Breslin (0-1), Conor Smyth. Subs - Eoin McLoughlin for Dolan (28 black card), Paidin Boggins for Costello (37), Darren Kavanagh for Murray (46), Christian Byrne for Breslin (49),Andrew Barry for Boggins (57),

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