Clann Na nGael   3-8    Meath Hill   1-7

There were no supporters allowed into Páirc Tailteann to watch this clash between Clann Na nGael and Meath Hill, however that didn’t diminish the intensity levels or excitement on Sunday evening.

Clann Na nGael struggled to get into the game early on and dropped three kicks short in the first 10 minutes.  Space was at a premium as both teams worked hard to limit possession before Meath Hill registered the first point in the ninth minute.   This was followed two minutes later by a Meath Hill goal as Clann didn’t secure a short kick out and allowed Meath Hill to gain possession close to goal.   The ball was transferred to full forward Thomas Rooney and although his first shot was blocked he collected the rebound and made no mistake with his second attempt.   Rooney was causing problems for the Clann full back line and was the main target man for Meath Hill in the first 20 minutes, making several marks and contributing to 4 Meath Hill Points between the 19th and 23rd minute.

Clann were 1-5 to 0-2 down after 22 minutes and looked as if they could be going out of the Championship.  The Clann points coming from Darragh Swaine in the 15th Minute and Daragh Griffin in the 22nd minute. However, this Clann team don’t do panic and with the  outfield players putting a lot more pressure on the ball being kicked in and a reorganised Clann defense, Jack Doherty and Carl Kelly combined well to restrict any further impact by Rooney on the scoreboard.

The Clann forwards were having difficulty breaking down the Meath Hill defense but they persisted with their patient build up and it paid off in the 23rd minute when Philly Garry broke through the defence and bore down on goal. Éamonn Ó Donnachadha made a tremendous effort to get alongside Philly in time to receive the pass and palm the ball to the net despite picking up a blow to his leg from the Meath Hill goalie in the process. This got Clann back into the game and Daragh Griffin kicked their final point of the first half to leave just two points between the teams with 30 minutes on the clock. Clann had a chance to reduce the deficit to the minimum with a free kick in the 32nd minute but Meath Hill cleared the ball broke up the field and registered a point to leave them three points clear at half time. 

Clann Na nGael started the 2nd half well with two points in quick succession from Cian Swaine and Daragh Swaine after 37 minutes.   However, Meath Hill responded and registered their one and only score of the second half on 40 minutes.

The rest of the game was dominated by Clann Na nGael as they began to make better use of their running game and outscored Meath Hill by 2-3 to no score for the remainder of the half.

The Meath Hill discipline was also exposed as they picked up two black cards and two red cards (both for two yellows) as the game entered injury time and ended the game with 12 players on the pitch.

The second Clann goal was scored by full back Jack Doherty after Éamon Ó Donnachadha broke through the Meath Hill defensive line and following a well worked team move Jack was at the end of the move to palm the ball to the net.

Three further points were added by Cian Swaine, Éamon Ó Donnachadha and a pointed free from Darragh Swaine  after 50 minutes.   However the Clann men couldn’t start to think of the next match until the 60th minute when substitute Paul Tuite got on the end of a through ball and raced towards goal with Tom Hanley and Rory Tuite alongside him.    Paul waited until the last minute before slipping the ball to his good friend Tom Hanley who palmed the third goal of the evening and ensured Clann Na nGael were heading for a quarter final.    

This was another excellent team performance from Clann na nGael with Éamon Ó Donnchadha, Daragh Griffin, Philly Garry and Cian Swaine to the forefront.

Next up is a quarter final against Ballinabrackey with the date and venue to be confirmed.

Clann na nGael: E. Ó Griofa, R.Tuite, J.Doherty (1-0), C. Kelly,  C. Fenton, J. Farrell,  M. Ó Cobhthaigh, D. Griffin (0-2), C. Swaine (0-2), D. Ó Donnchadha,  P.Garry,  É. Ó Donnchadha (1-1),  R. McNamee, D. Swaine (0-3),  Tom Hanley (1-0).

Subs: P. Tuite for R. McNamee.

 

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