Having forced extra time with a late pointed from Martin McCreesh, Rock (Tyrone) outscored Meath's Clann na nGael in by 0-4 to 0-1 in the additional 20 minutes of this keenly contested All-Ireland Club JFC semi-final at Pairc Esler, Newry on Sunday. Rock 1-11 Clann na nGael 1-8 Heading into stoppage time at the end of the first hour, the Meath side led by two points before McCreesh intervened to point from play and then landed a free from almost 60 metres to force extra time. The award of the free seemed a harsh call against Clann na nGael's Jamie Shaw for alleged over-carrying and when the ball was brought forward for dissent, McCreesh found the range to tie the scores at 1-7 each. Rock ruled in the additional twenty minutes during which time Cathal McWilliams, Martin McCreesh, James McCreesh and Aidan Girvan pointed for Rock while a late Gary Woods free point from a free for the Athboy/Rathcairn side made no difference made no difference to the outcome. Clann na nGael had the influential Graham Geraghty red-carded after a clash with Ciaran Gourley in the 20th minute of extra time while Rock's Martin McCreesh was dismissed shortly after on receipt of his second yellow card. Rock might have won by a wider margin but for recording 18 wides, twice as a many as their opponents. But for the vigilance of Clann na nGael goalkeeper Paul Flood and the intervention of defenders Shane McAnarney and substitute Caoimhin O Conghaile, the Tyrone side might have got in for more goals. Flood twice denied Eamon Ward goals while McAnarney got in the way of Niall Mullan's attempt and O Conghaile also dispossed Ward as he bore down on goal at the start of extra time. McAnarney was Clann na nGael's outstanding performer and his efforts kept the Meath representatives in contention when they played second fiddle to their opponents in the opening half. Rock twice led by two points in a scrappy opening-half but Seosamh Mac Donncha (following a strong run by Geraghty) and Gary Woods (free) raised white flags to leave it 0-4 each at the break. Jamie Shaw came to the fore as the Meath men upped their game in the second-half of normal time. Woods (free) pointed Clann na nGael in front for the first time in the 38th minute and Ciaran Smyth restored their advantage after James McCreesh levelled matters. Around the mid-point of the second-half the sides exchanged goals with McWilliams netting with a blistering shot for Rock before former Meath hurler Benny Murray goaled from close range with another Geraghty run providing the opening. There was just one further score, a Woods point from play, which seemed to send Clann na nGael to Croke Park before McCreesh's late Houdini Act saved the northern side. Rock made the most of their reprieve and with John Mallon prominent at midfield they booked their final spot. Rock - B. Coyle; R. Crilly, S. Mullan, P. Girvan; A. Girvan (0-1), C. Gourley, N. Mullan; J. Mallon, K. McGeehan (0-1); C. McWilliams (1-1), M. McCreesh (0-4, 2 frees), E. Ward (0-1); M. McElduff, J. McCreesh (0-2), J. Ward (0-1). Subs - N. Mallon for McElduff (39 mins), D. Mullan for J. Ward (46 mins), A. McCourt for J. McCreesh (80 mins). Clann na nGael - P. Flood; A. Farrell jnr, S. McAnarney, M. Mullen; D. Kelly, T. Hanley, T. Carrigy; J. Shaw, G. Geraghty; S. MacDonncha (0-1), M. Priest, G. Woods (0-4, 3 frees); C. Smyth (0-1), A Farrell jnr, B. Murray (1-2). Subs - A. Brown for A. Farrell jnr (29 mins), J. Sheehan for MacDonncha (36 mins), M. Timmons for Smyth (54 mins), C O Conghaile for Carrigy (67 mins). Referee - Con Reynolds (Down). Tweet

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