St Vincent’s 3-8 Clann na nGael 1-8

A Saturday night matchup under floodlights is always a special occasion, and the junior football championship semi-final between Clann na nGael and St Vincents was no different. St Vincent’s ran out as 6-point winners in what was a tensely fought out encounter in Ashbourne. 

St Vincent’s started off the brightest, hitting the post from their first effort before kicking the opening score of the game with just 90 seconds gone off the clock. In the following minutes, Clann na nGael struggled to break through the St Vincent’s half-back line, and the Ardcath men took advantage of this, kicking their second score of the game from a turnover. Clann began to grow into the game, and in the 8th minute, Jack Doherty made an excellent turnover in the middle of the field, finding Clann’s sharpshooter Ben Corkey, who kicked his first score from 35 yards out. Both teams battled courageously for the ball over the following few minutes, before Clann made a cracking break and Corkery kicked his second to draw the sides level, showing a wonderful bit of individual skill in the buildup. 

St Vincent’s proved to be a very tough team to breakdown and were well organized in defense. Despite this, Clann found the lead in the 14th minute, when Ben Corkery kicked both his and Clann’s third point of the game, after a brilliant Éamon Ó’Donnchadha assist, who was under pressure. Shortly afterwards, Vincent’s equalized, with a dangerous long ball setting up the score. Both sides traded poor wide’s following the equalizing score, before Vincent’s regained the lead with a well-work fisted point. 

Clann na nGael made a great move up the field, and Paul Tuite made an ambitious effort at goal from distance, with no luck availing. Clann struggled to adapt to Vincent’s kickout strategy, and the Ardcath men continued to retain possession and create chances, eventually making it 5 points to 3 with 20 minutes gone off the clock. Clann continued to battle, and it proved to pay off, as Thomas Doyle made a brilliant run and fired the ball into the back of the net to put Clann a point ahead. Clann then went two points clear, after a spot of luck coming from a wayward Darragh Griffin effort. The ball landed into Ben Corkery’s hand, who did brilliantly to get the ball over the bar and put two between the sides. Jack Doherty then had the chance to put Clann 3 ahead, but his free from distance went narrowly wide. Clann took the 2-point advantage into the break, after an excellent first half performance. 

Half Time: Clann na nGael 1-04 – St Vincent’s 0-05. 

The second half couldn’t have got off to a worse start for the Athboy / Ráth Chairn outfit, when stalwart Darragh Griffin received a black card, in what appeared to be a very harsh decision from the referee. Clann remained calm and played some patient football in an attempt to wind down the sin-bind clock. Vincent’s brought the margin back to a point after turning the ball over, before taking full advantage of having the extra man, making an electric break down the middle and scoring their first goal of the game, putting them in the driving seat. 

The game hung in the balance for the remaining few minutes, but Griffin, who appeared to be injured, was subbed off just after he returned, with Darragh Swaine taking his place. Just seconds later, Vincent’s grabbed their second goal of the match. Clann na nGael’s defense was caught napping, and a dangerous long ball into space led to the chance. Eoin Griffin saved the first effort, but there was nobody back to clean up the rebound, and St Vincent’s took full advantage. Vincent’s added another point soon afterwards to put five between the sides. 

Clann na nGael then had a huge chance to swing the momentum back in their favor, but Liam Kelleher spilled the ball at a vital moment and the opportunity went abegging. Clann brought Killian Swaine and Shane Mc Anarney into the game, to mount a comeback, before Thomas Doyle took a free well, to bring the gap back to three. However, that was as close as Clann got, as St Vincent’s made another brilliant break, scoring their third goal to essentially seal the result.  

Eoin Kelleher kicked a lovely point to bring it back to six, but it only proved to be a consolation. Clann battled hard until the end, but never really got a sniff of a goal chance, which they desperately needed. Best for Clann were Ben Corkery, Paul Tuite 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 Ó’Donnchadha, 8. Cian Swaine, 9. Eoin Kelleher (0-01), 10. Seán Óg Tiernan, 11. Darragh Griffin, 12. Ben Corkery (0-05 (0-01f), 13. Liam Kelleher, 14. Éamon Ó’Donnchadha (0-01), 15. Thomas Doyle (1-01(0-01f))

Subs: Ryan Mc Namee for Seán Óg Tiernan, Darragh Swaine for Darragh Griffin, Killian Swaine for Darren Kelly, Shane Mc Anarney for Liam Kelleher

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