KILKERLEY EMMETS 3-10
CLAN NA GAEL 0-11

After landing a late point to set up the replay, Shane Lennon completed the job in Saturday evening's Intermediate Championship Final replay when he inspired Kilkerley to a first title in 37 years.

The Emmets captain scored one goal, set up another and kicked a total of four crucial points to see off the challenge of Clan na Gael at Haggardstown.

Lennon, who previously won a Dublin Senior Championship medal with UCD, was assisted in attack by young Tadgh McEneaney who also responded to the occasion with five points.

Following the nervous display by both sides in the original game on Sunday, the replay produced an entertaining contest, and with both sides enjoying periods of dominance, once again there was little to choose between the teams for the opening 40 minutes.

However, the game turned in Kilkerley's favour when Lennon set up Daniel McKeown to hit the net and put his side back in front at 2-5 to 0-9. The Emmets never looked back after that goal as the sensed the title was in within their grasp. They grew in confidence throughout the final quarter and extended to gap to eight points at the end as they booked their return to the senior ranks after an absence of just one season.

It was fitting that Lennon stepped forward to collect the Seamus Flood Cup given his contribution to Kilkerley's success this season, but also over the last 15 years. However, the early exchanges suggested that it might not be Kilkerley's night as the Clans started in impressive fashion.

After just a minute Conall McKeever opened the scoring from a free and soon after Mark McGeown doubled the advantage. Billy Smith added a third on seven minutes and with the next attack had a great chance for goal but his effort went just wide.

A goal that that stage would really have put Kilkerley on the back foot, but they took heart from the reprieve and not for the first time, it was Lennon who provided the inspiration.

The former county player found space in front of the posts and drilled an effort into the bottom corner to level the game.

Kilkerley pushed on against a stunned Clans and points from Tadhg McEneaney (2) and Lennon had their side leading by 1-3 to 0-3 in front on 17 minutes.

The Clans did compose themselves and hit back in impressive style with two quick fire points from McKeever before Smith tied things up again on 22 minutes at 0-6 to 1-3.

McKeever added his fourth of the half to restore the Dundalk side's advantage but just on the stroke of half time, Sean Hand fired over to send the teams in level at 1-4 to 0-7.

Billy Smith struck two points either side of a Tadhg McEneaney point to put the Clans ahead by 0-9 to 1-5 after 36 minutes and at that stage it looked as if the game would go right down to the wire.

However, Kilkerley had other ideas and McKeown's goal on 41 minutes allowed them to take a grip on proceedings, before two points in quick succession from Lennon and McEneaney had their side 2-7 to 0-9 in front with 11 minutes remaining.

The Clans did try to battle back with points from Robbie Curran and Stephen Coleman, but each time Kilkerley replied with points and preserve the four point gap.

The Dundalk men sensed that the game was up and Kilkerley finished in style with Tadhg McEneaney firing over before sub, Conall McEneany, completed a memorable evening for his club with a third goal.

KILKERLEY EMMETS: Rian Hand; Cillian Mulligan, Shaun McElroy, Alan McGeough; Neill Mulholland, Cathal Bellew; Ciaran Clarke; Ciaran Bellew, Andrew McGill; Fintan Clarke, Shane Lennon (1-4), James Fegan; Sean Hand (0-1), Tadhg McEneaney (0-5), Daniel McKeown (1-0). Subs: Conall McEneaney (1-0) for F Clarke.

CLAN NA GAEL: Gavin Neary; Leo Martin, Paul Gartland, Kevin Carroll; Stephen Fitzpatrick, Paul Crewe, Craig Long; Ray McCabe, Billy Smith (0-4); Robbie Curran (0-1), Paul Gore, Conall McKeever (0-4); Mark Newell, Conal Cooney, Mark McGeown (0-1). Subs: Conor Noonan for C Cooney, Drew Duffy for C Long, 51, Stephen Coleman (0-1) for M Newell.

REFEREE: Aidan Dunne.

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