Clann rally as Rosemount wilt

December 15, 2007
Meath's Clann na nGael staged a typical royal recovery to overcome Westmeath's Rosemount in the Leinster Club JFC final at Pairc Tailteann, Navan on Saturday afternoon. Clann na Gael (Meath) 0-15 Rosemount (Westmeath) 1-6 Rosemount raced into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead by the end of the opening quarter but only managed one point thereafter as Clann na nGael - with Graham Geraghty leading by example in a sweeping role - outscored the men from the Westmeath-Offaly border by 0-13 to 0-1 over the remainder of the hour. A stray pass from Meath's 1999 All-Ireland SFC winning captain led to the only goal which Martin Loddick finished to the net with aplomb after taking a pass from Declan Mullen. Padraig Coyle's charges displayed admirable resilience and posted seven points on the spin to lead by 0-9 to 1-5 at the break. Such was the quality of the exchanges on an ideal day for football that both sides were accorded an enthusiastic round of applause as they headed for their interval refreshments. By the end of the hour nine different players had got on the scoresheet from open play for the Meath men. Furthermore, their defence tightened up considerably with Tomas Carrigy and Tom Hanley impressing. Clann na nGael opened at a blistering pace but Mick Priest and Gary Woods sent scoring attempts into the arms of Rosemount 'keeper Richie O'Brien within 40 seconds of the off. In contrast Rosemount scored in their first meaningful attack with Danny Fielding registering in the second minute. Clann na nGael only posted four wides over the hour while their opponents had a marginally more wasteful six. However the winners sent six scoring attempts into O'Brien's grasp. The sides were level twice in the opening ten minutes before Rosemount put up 1-3 in a four minute spell to lead by six points after 14 minutes. Clann na nGael's response was measured and impressive. Seven consecutive points included a leveller from Priest before Anthony Farrell put them in front for the first time coming up to half-time and they were never subsequently caught. The scoring rate dropped in the third quarter and Paul Flood dealt smartly with a short from Declan Mullen and after leading by 0-10 to 1-5 after 45 minutes, the Athboy-Rathcairn outfit closed out for a memorable win with substitute Johnny Sheehan getting their final score in stoppage time at the end of the game. Clann na nGael - P. Flood; A. S. Farrell, S. McAnarney, M. Mullen; D. Kelly (0-1), T. Hanley, T. Carrigy; J. Shaw (0-1), G. Geraghty (0-1); J. McDonagh (0-1), M. Priest (0-3), G. Woods (0-4, 3 frees); B. Murray, A. Farrell (0-2), K. Smith (0-1). Subs - M. Timmins for McDonagh (56 mins), J. Sheehan (0-1) for Murray, A. Brown for Shaw (both 59 mins), D. Tuite for Smith (60 mins). Rosemount - R. O'Brien; D. Keenan, J. Keane, Michael Loddick; R. Mullen, T. King, P. Wade; D. Keane, D. Boland; D. Malynn (0-2, 1 free), Martin Loddick (1-0), S. Tone (0-1); D. Mullen (0-1), C. Keane (0-1), D. Fielding (0-1). Subs - C. Elliffe for Michael Loddick (26 mins), D. Fox for Fielding (48 mins). Referee - P. Knell (Louth).

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