Clann Na nGael (Meath) 4-17  Maynooth (Kildare) 1-10

Following on from their convincing win in the Meath IHC, Clann na nGael continued their impressive unbeaten run in championship hurling for 2019.

Clanns emphatically beat Maynooth (Kildare) in their first round Leinster Junior Hurling Championship match played at Trim on October 19th. Despite eventually running out convincing winners, Clanns did not have it all their own way in the first half of this tough and highly entertaining encounter. Maynooth opened the scoring with an early point, however Clann na nGael bounced back with a well worked goal following an swift layoff from full forward Aaron Ennis to the onrushing Eamon O’Donnchadha who drilled an unstoppable shot past the Maynooth goal keeper. Both teams traded points during the remainder of what was a tense first half, however Maynooth ensured the scores were level (1-07 to 1-07)  at the break with a well taken goal on the stroke of half time.

Clann na nGael upped the tempo significantly from the start of the second half. A strong defensive display alongside the phenomenal work rate of Darragh Swaine and the O’Sullivan twins, John at midfield and Gerry at wing forward, provided the platform for victory. The experienced Gary Cole rolled back the years with an irrepressible and highly effective performance and the constant threat of O’Donnchadha alongside his county comrade Calum O’Sullivan, ensured a somewhat unexpected but comfortable end to the game for Clann na nGael. Clanns introduced Cian Swaine in the second half as a replacement for Ennis and they went on to make five further changes with the introduction of Shane Leavy, Josh McGrath, Niall O’Reilly, Darragh Brogan and Conor Fenton. Further scores from Eamon O’Donnchadha and the aforementioned Calum O’Sullivan, killed off the Maynooth challenge and Clann na nGael deservedly obtained their place in this year’s Leinster Quarter Final, where the will face Westmeath Champions Cullion, on a score line of 4-17 to 1-10.

Clann na nGael: E. Griffin, A. Doherty, G. Mangan, J. Doherty, S. Reilly, K. Swaine, L. Swaine, D. Swaine, J. O’Sullivan, C. O’Sullivan, C. Garry, G. O’Sullivan, G. Cole, A. Ennis, E. O’Donnchadha.

Subs: C. Swaine for A. Ennis, S. Leavy for C. Garry, J. McGrath for G. Cole, C. Fenton for D. Swaine, N. O’Reilly for E. O’Donnchadha, D. Brogan for K. Swaine.

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