JACFC Div 4 final: Michaels and Gaels will have to do it all over again

Ben Tobin keeps possession for St. Michaels during the JACFC Division 4 final against Clann na nGael at Martry

St. Michaels 0-15, Clann na nGael 2-09       

St. Michaels and Clann na nGael shared the spoils in an entertaining division 4 final in a packed Martry on Friday evening last. Once again Ciaran Lynch put in a superb display for the “Michaels” finishing with 0-8 to his name for the second game running as his side recovered from the concession of two goals, one in each half. 

St. Michaels made the better start going 0-6 to 0-1 ahead after 16 minutes, Lynch 0-3, Diarmuid O'Malley 0-2 and Paddy Fitzsimons 0-1 all getting on the scoreboard. Clann na nGael opened their scoring with a pointed free on four minutes, they then went through a barren spell of 14 minutes before they added their second and having awoken from their slumber they add a further two scores (1-1) in quick succession to level the match with 20 minutes gone. Paddy Fitzsimons won the next kick-out and a great run by Ben Tobin who released to Davy Lynch who tapped over for his sides last score of the half. A Clann na nGael converted free sent the sides in at 0-08 to 1-05 at the short whistle.     

Lynch resumed his target practice after six minutes of the new half, O'Malley put his side two points ahead before Clann na nGael pulled one back on 38 minutes. Ben Tobin sent over a great effort from play before Cian McFadden combined with Tobin and Lynch for another minor. Then the Athboy side struck for their second major on 44 minutes to go two in front but they could only manage another minor for the remainder of the game and although they had a number of late opportunities the relentless pressure from the St. Michaels defence ensured they were never afforded an easy shot. Ciaran Lynch finished off the scoring for St. Michaels to complete a memorable and deserved comeback after having fallen three points behind entering the final six minutes, his side will take considerable encouragement from fighting their way back to earn a deserved draw.                                                                                 

They will do it all again on Friday October 16th in Martry.

St. Michaels team and scorers: Josh Carolan; Conor Harten, Brian Reilly, Luke Kelleher; Ryan Gaffney, Harry Dunne, Patrick Clarke; Paddy Finnegan, Paddy Fitzsimons (0-1); Diarmuid O'Malley (0-3); David Lynch (0-1), Cian McFadden (0-1); Ben Tobin (0-1), Ronan Lynch, Ciaran Lynch (0-8).                                                                  

Subs used: Ben Reilly for Clarke, Scott Doyle for D. Lynch, J.B. O'Reilly for Finnegan, Darragh Rock for Harten, Ray Reilly for R. Lynch.                                                                                          

Referee: Adrian Corcoran            

Match report: Pascal Reilly PRO.