Clann na nGael 2-18 St Ultans 1-10

Clann na nGael showed their worth as title contenders this afternoon in Kilmainham, comfortably running out as 11-point winners over St Ultan’s. 

The Athboy / Ráth Chairn outfit came out of the blocks early, and got off to a dream start. Darragh Griffin played an excellent ball into Éamon Ó’Donnchada’s chest, who bet his man and found Seán Óg Tiernan. Tiernan found himself one on one with Gary Rodgers and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Ben Corkery then kicked the first of his six points, converting the free which he won himself. Liam Kelleher was unlucky not to put five between the sides, hitting the upright with an effort from outside the D, but Thomas Doyle made no mistake a minute later, fisting the ball over the bar. 

Ultan’s broke well from the resulting kickout, finding themselves through on goal, but the ever-reliable Eoin Griffin made himself big, producing a fine save. The ball was pulled back for a 13-yard free, which was converted to give Ultan’s their first score of the afternoon. 

Paul Tuite, who sported a Killian Mbappeé style facemask to protect his broken nose, won the resulting kickout, finding Corkery who made a brilliant break to find himself through on goal, but the chance went a begging after Rodgers made a decent save. Ultan’s reduced the gap to three with a free from an inside mark, before Corkery slotted over a handy free on front of the posts. Corkery then kicked his third, from another free. St Ultan’s kickout strategy was excellent, but Clann finally stole one in the 20th minute, and Darragh Griffin punished them with a well taken score. However, Eoin Griffin’s kickouts were equally as good, and his long ball up the middle to Cian Swaine led to Clann’s seventh point of the match. Ben Corkery kicked two more points from play, the later coming from some excellent individual play, putting Clann nine points clear with just 25 minutes gone off the clock. Soon after this, Ultan’s found themselves down to fourteen men. Diarmaid Ó’Donnchadha was the victim of a late hit, but he dusted himself off and continued his fine performance at wing back. 

Half Time: Clann na nGael 1-09 – 0-03 St Ultan’s 

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Eoin Kelleher kicking an outstanding score to put 10 between the sides. Ultan’s replied with two points of their own, before Ben Corkery kicked the score of the game, with a brilliant effort on the turn from 40 yards out. Seán Óg Tiernan then made a break, and Éamon Ó’Donnchadha did brilliantly to get the loose ball out to Thomas Doyle, who kicked a lovely score from a tight angle to restore the gap to ten. Darragh Griffin then kicked his third of the game, before Éamon Ó’Donnchadha deservedly got on the score sheet. Thomas Doyle slotted over a free from the sideline at the twenty-one-yard line to put even more light between the sides. 

Clann na nGael started to empty the bench, with Darragh Swaine replacing Liam Kelleher, before Shane Mc Anarney and Killian Swaine came in for the Otterstown duo, Paul Tuite and Darragh Griffin. It didn’t take Mc Anarney long to show his experience, as he picked Seán Óg Tiernan out with an excellent pass through the middle. Tiernan bet his man and produced a cool curling finish into the bottom corner, scoring his fourth goal in two games. Darragh Swaine then kicked his first of three, with a brilliant effort from thirty-five-yards out. The Ultan’s responded with a goal of their own, with a quick break that started from a bad Clann effort landing in the Ultan’s goal keepers’ hands. 

Aaron Ennis then replaced Cian Swaine, with Darren Kelly who had a fine game at centre-half back being replaced by his brother, Carl. Darragh Swaine tagged on two further points for Clann, proving that depth that they have built in their squad in recent years. Not a bad showing from the Rathmore man who was only on the field for the final 15 minutes.

Clann na nGael were excellent throughout but the wide count hitting double-figures will concern Niall McLoughlin and Fionnán Ó Duibhir. St Vincent’s will definitely provide a much sterner test in a fortnights time. Best for Clann were Ben Corkery, Darragh Griffin, Diarmaid O’Donnchadha and Eamon O’Donnchadha. 

Clann na nGael: 1: Eoin Griffin, 2: Phillip Garry, 3: Jack Doherty, 4: Darragh O’Reilly, 5: Paul Tuite, 6: Darren Kelly, 7: Diarmaid O’Donnchadha, 8: Cian Swaine (0-01), 9: Eoin Kelleher (0-01), 10: Seán Óg Tiernan (2-00), 11: Darragh Griffin (0-03) 12: Ben Corkery (0-06 (0-03f)), 13: Liam Kelleher, 14: Eamon O’Donnchadha (0-01), 15: Thomas Doyle (0-03 (0-01f)

Substitutes: 43’: Darragh Swaine (0-03) for Liam Kelleher, 47’: Shane Mc Anarney for Darragh Griffin, Killian Swaine for Paul Tuite, 53’: Aaron Ennis for Cian Swaine, Carl Kelly for Darren Kelly

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