Two first-half Aaron Ryan goals in quick succession ultimately ruined Rathmolyon's day as Clann na nGael took the Under 21 H B title at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday.

Clann na nGael  2-8
Rathmolyon   1-9

Those scores formed the platform for Clann na nGael to claim the Dinny Donnelly-Brigid Donnelly Cup. The outcome caps a memorable year for the Athboy-Rathcairn club who also won the IHC and MH B titles.

Clann na nGael might have won by a wider margin but for posting 18 wides to Rathmolyon's 10. To their credit they retained their composure when their lead was trimmed to two points in the final quarter.

Rathmolyon can point to chances wasted with seven of their wides coming with the assistance of the slight breeze blowing into the town goal in the second-half.

The sides exchanged pointed frees in the opening seven minutes with Eamon O Donnchadha putting Clann na nGael in front before Dylan Douglas levelled matters.

The opening quarter remained close until Ryan netted twice in quick succession around the mid-point of the half. That left it 2-2 to 0-1 while Eamon O Donnchadha provided the assist for both goals. He also pointed four frees in the first 30 minutes during which time his side didn't raise a white flag from play.

O Donnchadha's third pointed free left it 2-3 to 0-1 after 19 minutes. At that stage Clann na nGael's increasing tally of wides didn't seem to matter. By half-time the Athboy-Rathcairn outfit had registered 10 wides to Rathmoylon's three.

Rathmolyon hopes were revived with Dylan Douglas' 27th minute goal. That coupled with points from Jack Fagan (free) and John Harnan - the first from play during the game - left the south county side just four points off the pace, 1-3 to 2-4, at the break.

The gap was down to a goal when Fagan landed a free in the 34th minute. Points from Aaron Ryan and Shane Leavy earned Clann na nGael some leeway.

Having trimmed the deficit to a goal on two further occasions, a Jarlath Ennis point - following a poor clearance by Clann na nGael 'keeper Aaron Doherty - left Rathmolyon trailing by just two points (1-8 to 2-7) in arrears heading into the final 10 minutes.

Clann na nGael held firm as Rathmolyon passed up a few chances that might have forced extra time or even snatched the title.

Clann na nGael - Aaron Doherty; Senan Kiernan, Paddy Tiernan; Rory Tuite, Jack Doherty, Daragh Brogan; Caoimhin O Griofa (C) (0-1), Sean Reilly; Aaron Ryan (2-2), Shane Leavy (0-1), Daragh Griffin; Eamon O Donnchadha (0-4 fs), Luke Swaine. Subs - Anthony Swaine for Kiernan (36)

Rathmolyon - Anthony Forde; Eoin Downey, Stephen Forde (C); Gary Ryan, Jack Davis, Jack Payne (0-1); David Myles. Jack Farrell; John Harnan (0-1), Dylan Douglas (1-2, 0-1f), Patrick Troy (0-1); Jack Fagan (0-4 2fs), Jamie McNeill. Subs - Conal Stafford for Troy (ht), Jarlath Ennis (0-1) for McNeill (35), Shane Kavanagh for Farrell (35), Richard Fox for Harnan (48).

Referee - Martin Bartley (Trim)

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