Clann na nGael 2-11 St Peters Dunboyne 0-12

Clann na nGael ended the year on a high note, winning the Donal O’Loinsigh Cup on Saturday evening at Ashbourne.

The long drive to Ashbourne was well worth it, with a great hour of entertainment being provided by both teams. The game started with an early Joe Ennis free, before Limerick man Mark Broderick took a high ball well and almost converted a decent goal chance. The resulting 65’ was pointed by Ennis. Dunboyne opened their account in the 4th minute with a beautiful long ranged score, before Joe converted another free after Aaron Doherty was fouled 30 yards from the goals. Dunboyne’s first goal chance came after a point effort bounced off the post, but Gary Cole was never troubled by the prevailing effort. Gary’s effort must be complimented, with the 42 year old coming straight to the game from Pairc Tailteann, where the Rathmoylon side he manages were bet by Dunderry in the Intermediate hurling final.

Clann looked the stronger side as the game started to develop, with Niall Reilly putting a brilliant ball into Joe Ennis who converted yet again. Shane Leavy slotted another one seconds later, capitalizing on a poor Dunboyne puckout.  Dunboyne scored a well taken free, before the first of Clanns two goals came. Josh Mc Grath put a very well-placed long ball into the square, where Eoin Fitzsimons was on hand to pluck the sliotar from the sky and bury the ball into the bottom corner of the Dunboyne goalkeepers net.

Joe Ennis made a darting run through the middle of the field, putting the ball on a plate for Conor Fenton who put it over the bar to leave Clann 1-06 – 0-03 up with 20 minutes on the clock. However, this was to be Clanns last score of the half, with Dunboyne scoring five points in a row within the next ten minutes. The damage would have been worse if it wasn’t for the tenacious work done by the Clann defense, with men such as Cian Harmon making some fine blocks and clearances. Paddy Geraghty had a great goal chance just before half time, but his effort was cleared off the line by the Dunboyne full back.

Half time came at the perfect time for the Athboy / Ráth Chairn men, and whatever Square Leavy, Kevin Mc Govern and Seanie Mc Govern said to them at half time worked. Aaron Doherty who picked up a knock earlier in the half was replaced by Ruairi Smith. The ever-prolific Joe Ennis burst into life and scored 1-3 without reply in the first ten minutes of the half. A beautifully taken sideline from the clubhouse side of the pitch would usually be considered the score of the game, but I think most people would agree that his goal two minutes later was even better. Joe got the ball on the 45-yard line and brought half the Dunboyne team for a dance, galloping around them as if he was taking a wide corner on a racetrack. Everybody knew exactly what was going to happen when Joe made it to 13-yard line, adding another goal to his astonishing tally for the season. Dunboyne replied with a score, before Shane Leavy put the ball over the blackspot for his second score of the game. Seán Óg Tiernan replaced new man Mark Broderick who had a decent game at full forward.

Clann battened down the hatches very well for the last fifteen minutes, sucking the life out of any Dunboyne comeback chances. Colm Griffin replaced Cian Ivers and Ronan Mc Loughlin, who has developed brilliantly over the past few games came on for junior hurling stalwart Paddy Geraghty in the final few minutes. A mighty Eugene O’Reilly block just before the final whistle summed up Clanns dominance, with the Athboy / Ráth Chairn men winning out on a score line of 2-11 to 0-12

Captain Josh Mc Grath collected the Donal O’Loinsigh cup, delivering an amazing speech that will live long in the memory of all who were in Ashbourne on Saturday evening. Thank you to all of our supporters who’ve followed us up and down the county all year long, this was definitely a good year of progress for hurling in the club.

Clann na nGael: 1.Gary Cole, 2. Cian Harmon, 3. Ciaran Fitzsimons, 4. Aaron Doherty, 5. Jonny O’Sullivan, 6. Josh Mc Grath, 7. Niall O’Reilly, 8. Conor Fenton (0-01), 9. Eugene O’Reilly, 10. Cian Ivers, 11. Shane Leavy (0-02), 12. Eoin Ftizsimons (0-01), 13. Joe Ennis (1-08, 0-04f, 0-01 s’line), 14. Mark Broderick, 15. Paddy Geraghty

Substitutions: Ruairi Smith for Aaron Doherty, Seán Óg Tiernan for Mark Broderick, Colm Griffin for Cian Ivers, Ronan Mc Loughlin for Paddy Geraghty

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