St. Michaels 0-14, Clann na nGael 1-8.

St. Michaels made heavy work of overcoming a plucky Clan na nGael outfit at this poorly attended match in Kells on Sunday afternoon.

A fine individual performance from top scorer Ciaran Lynch was the difference between the two sides as the football on offer was poor with the opening 15 minutes producing a total of 3 points (2 frees) all for St. Michaels, Lynch 0-2 and Jamie Farrelly 0-1. Clan na nGael didn't open their account until the 20th minute and they added their second and only other point of the half five minutes later. Ciaran Lynch 0-2 and a point apiece from his brothers Ronan and David completed the first half scoring for the winners to lead by 0-7 to 0-2 at the break.  This lead should have been greater as Jamie Farrelly was guilty of blasting a certain goal chance wide of the post midway through the half.                                                                                                                       

The introduction of Graham Geraghty after the break had the desired effect for Clan na nGael as they were first on the scoreboard with a point, both sides exchanged a further point apiece with Jamie Farrelly sending over a great individual effort from play, however Clan na nGael had upped their game and it took a brilliant save on the line by Matthew Halpin to prevent a certain goal on 35 minutes but a pointed free 3 minutes later reduced the deficit to just 3 points.

The sides exchanged a point apiece before Oran Meehan stretched the lead to 4 points from a free at the end of the third quarter. Then on the 50th minute confusion reigned in the St. Michaels square and the ball ended up in the back of the net and two minutes later it was level pegging as the Athboy side pointed from a free. St. Michaels who by this stage had gone 10 minutes without raising a flag went back in front with a good effort from Ronan Lynch, Ciaran Lynch added another free and in a very tense last few minutes Clan na nGael set up attack after attack and they had their chances as they blasted a good goal chance wide with only two minutes remaining.

However Martin O'Connell's troops regained their composure and a good move up field resulted in Peter O'Connell feeding Ronan Lynch who effortlessly popped it over for the insurance point. Along with the scorers Mark Stafford, Jamie Reilly, Philip Rogers, Kevin Cassidy, Dáithí and J.B. O'Reilly enjoyed some good spells.                                                                                                 

St. Michaels team & scorers: Paul McCormack, Mark Stafford, Jamie Reilly, Matthew Halpin, Christopher Drew, Philip Rogers, Robbie Briody, J.B. O'Reilly, Jamie Farrelly 0-2, David Lynch 0-1, Peter O'Connell, Oran Meehan 0-1, Kevin Cassidy, Ciaran Lynch 0-7, Ronan Lynch 0-3. Sub: Dáithí Reilly for J.B O'Reilly 48 minutes (BC).

Report and photo Pascal Reilly.

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