Clann Na nGael 2-9 Longwood 2-8

Rory Tuite became the hero of the night in Clonard as he dispatched a last minutes rocket through a crowd of players and into the roof of the net to clinch a one point win for the Clann Na nGael men in Sunday evenings match.

The winners should not have been in that position as they missed a number of good opportunities to put scores on the board and will have to work on being more clinical in future when in scoring positions, in order to continue to progress in this championship.

Manager Tom Hanley and his selectors were very satisfied with the win and the manner in which their young team, despite facing some very cynical play from their opponents, stuck with the game plan and to a man never dropped their heads and drove on, determined to give everything to try and win the match.

Their reward came in the 64th minute when after Longwood had kicked two late points in succession to put them into a winning position, the Clann men were awarded a 20 meter free. The men on the line were encouraging Darragh Swaine to take the point in the hope of having enough time to kick an equalizer.  However, Darragh thought differently, slipped the ball to Rory Tuite who had found a bit of space on the edge of the square, and Rory left the ball nestling in the back of the net.    Not bad for a corner back!

Although Rory was the hero at the end, it was the tremendous work by the team during the match with Jack Doherty leading from the back and Diarmaid Ó Donnchadha causing chaos whenever he got the ball.  Even an elbow in the head in what looked like a clear penalty and probable sending off didn’t stop him from getting on the ball and creating scoring opportunities.

Paul Tuite was very effective helping out in defense and breaking up the field with every opportunity until he had to be replaced due to picking up a leg injury following a late challenge.   In the final 15 minutes when the game had to be won, Éamon Ó Donnchadha stood up and led the charge from the front working tirelessly to turnover possession and drive the team forward.

The game was a tight and tense affair throughout with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions.  Philly Garry registered the first point in the 1st minute and this was followed quickly by another point from Diarmaid Ó Donnchadha.  Longwood registered their first score in the 4th minute before Daragh Griffing struck the post with a point attempt.  Éamon Ó Donnachadha kicked a point in the 5th minute to put Clann 3 points to one in front.   Longwood kicked the next two points to draw level and went ahead in the 18th minute with their 4th and final point of the half. Clann Na nGael kicked 5 wides in succession before Darragh Swaine kicked the final point of the first half in the 31st minute to draw the sides level at 4 points apiece.

Longwood got the first score of the second half which was matched by an excellent pointed free from Jack Doherty after 24 minutes before Cian Swaine put the Clann men a point ahead again in the 37th minute.   Longwood then put themselves in the driving seat when a misplaced kick out was gathered up by them and finished to the net, as the Clann defense couldn’t get back in time to stop the attack.   Clann’s heads didn’t drop and they continued to work hard to recover possession and set up scoring opportunities.   Cian Swaine kicked a point from play and then Daragh Griffin got the score of the match as the Clann Na nGael defense broke up a Longwood attack on their end line and moved the ball swiftly down the pitch where Daragh got on the end of it, beat his man and finished powerfully to the net.

Clann now seemed to be in the driving seat, but shortly afterwards when a high ball into the Clann box wasn’t cleared properly, it fell to a  Longwood man who finished clinically to the net to record their second goal of the evening.   Longwood were now in a winning position as the recorded a further three points to Clann na nGael’s two from Darragh Swaine and Daragh Griffin to leave Longwood two points clear with the game in injury time.  

At least 5 minutes of injury time was required due to a number of stoppages throughout the game and this was just enough time for Rory Tuite to ensure that Clann Na nGael came away with their second win in the Championship.

This was another excellent team performance from Clann na nGael with Jack Doherty, Diarmaid Ó Donnchadha,  Paul Tuite and Éamon Ó Donnchadha  to the forefront.

Next up is a game against Meath Hill on Sunday August 30th at 2pm in Bective to decide which team tops the group and goes into a quarter final.

Clann na nGael:  E. Ó Griofa, R.Tuite (1-0), J.Doherty (0-1), C. Kelly,  C. Fenton, J. Farrell,  M. Ó Cobhthaigh, D. Griffin (1-1), C. Swaine (0-1), D. Ó Donnchadha (0-1),  P.Garry (0-1),  É. Ó Donnchadha (0-1),  P.Tuite, D. Swaine (0-3),  Tom Hanley.

Subs:  R. McNamee for P. Tuite.

Tweet

Most Read Stories