Clann Na nGael 1-15 Drumree 1-14

Clann na nGael opened up their 2018 IHC campaign with a first round win over Drumree by the narrowest of margins at Boardsmill.

Clanns, with the aid of a strong wind and a battling display by Ciaran Garry at centre forward, held a 2 point lead 0-10 to 0-08 at half time. 

Despite the concession of an early second half goal, an improved all round performance, bolstered by introduction of Paddy Geraghty at the break and a Gearoid Breathnach goal ensured that Clann na nGael ran out winners on a score line of 1-15 to 1-14. 

Best for Clann na nGael were Ciaran Garry, Ciaran Fitzsimons, Luke Swaine, Aaron Ennis and Eamon O'Donnchadha. 

Clann Na nGael: D. Heaney, J. Doherty, L. Swaine, A. Doherty, A. Ennis, G. Mangan C. Fitzsimons, K. Swaine, S. Reilly, C. O'Sullivan, C. Garry, G. O'Sullivan, E. O'Donnchadha, G. Breatnach, G. Cole. Subs: P. Geraghty for S. Reilly, J. Farrell for K. Swaine.

Drumree Report

Drumree 1-14 Clann na nGael 1-15

Drumree lost out to Clann na nGael by the slimmest of margins in this round 1 Intermediate championship encounter played in a well turned out Boardsmill pitch.

This was a tight tussle throughout with the lead going back & forth between both sides over the hour. While Drumree will be disappointed not to get any points out of the game there were plenty of positives to take out of it & build on for the coming games. With just 3 of the starting 15 over the age of 30 this was one of the youngest Drumree teams to take the field for an opening championship match in many years.

Clann na nGael got off to the brighter start with 2 early points within the first 4 minutes, this was followed by 3 unanswered points from Drumree courtesy of Seamus White (2) & Liam Carey. White was very sharp early on & scored a memorable point from out along the sideline; he was having a great tussle with his marker Arron Ennis before he picked up a hamstring injury & had to be replaced in the 27th minute. Both sides traded points throughout the remainder of the half with Josh Wall to the fore with 5 first half points from frees while Caoimhin King at centre forward was winning a lot of ball from the Drumree puck outs.

Drumree found themselves 2 points in arrears at half time however that was quickly eradicated just 2 minutes into the second half when Ronan Gilsenan pounced on a breaking ball in the Athboy square & drilled the sliothar to the net. The Athboy men got back on top thanks to some impressive points from Eamon O Donnchadha & Aaron Ennis. Josh Wall was again the chief scorer for Drumree with 4 second half pointed frees however it was Clann na nGael who looked like the winners when they scored an unanswered 1-2 in a 7 minute period between the 43nd & 50th minutes to take a 4 point lead into the final 10 minutes however to their credit Drumree fought back and scored the final 3 points of the game which included a text book long range Shane Troy free who spilt the posts from 85 yards out.

As the clock ticked into injury time Drumree searched for the equaliser & they had 2 chances to do so but couldn't capitalise & as the full time whistle blew the scoreline read Clann na nGael 1-15 Drumree 1-14

Best for Drumree were Darren Lawless, Josh Wall & Seamus White.

Drumree: Brendan Walsh, Paul Walsh, Keith Rooney, Jimmy Doolan, Paul Briody, Gaz Byrne (Capt.), Gareth Rooney, Josh Wall, Darren Lawless, Seamus White, Caoimhin King, Jimmy Gaughan, Liam Carey, Shane Troy, Ronan Gilsenan. Subs: Liam Shanley for Seamus White (inj.) Mark Devaney for Ronan Gilsenan.

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