Replay victory for Clann na nGael
Clann na nGael took the silverware home from Ashbourne on last night following a 3-8 to 1-9 JFC final replay victory against Moylagh.
This was a fast-paced encounter with plenty of good football and for Moylagh there was heartbreak as they faltered at the final hurdle.
However, Moylagh can't have too many complaints about the outcome as they wasted lots of chances, especially in the second-half.
Clann na nGael looked to have kicked their chances away in the drawn game last Saturday as they tallied 10 wides in the opening half and trailed by two points at the break.
In contrast to that, Moylagh got off to a great start in that first game with a goal from Rory Gibney after just two minutes, but the roles were reversed in last night's replay.
Instead, it was the Clann na nGael players who were quick out of the blocks as they established a fully-dererved 0-7 to 0-2 interval advantage.
Eammonn O Donnachada (two), Darragh Swaine, Thomas Doyle, Coilin Griffin, Phillip Garry and Darragh Griffin sent over the points, but it was at the other end that the foundations for victory were re-inforced.
There was some magnificent defending from the Clann na nGael rearguard and goalkeeper Eoin Griffin also made a significant contribution as Moylagh piled on the pressure.
All Moylagh could muster in those opening 30 minutes was an early point from Colm Fanning and a late one by Thomas O'Reilly (free).
That really left Kevin Dowd's men with a mammoth task after the resumption and while they resumed smartly with another Fanning point inside 60 seconds, it wasn't the signal for a major revival.
Darragh Griffin's point got Clann na nGael moving, but the sizeable contingent of Moylagh supporters were heartened when the hard-working O'Reilly converted another free.
Towards the end of the third-quarter Clann na nGael pressure produced a penalty after Coilin Griffin was impeded. Referee Patrick Coyle gave the signal and Darragh Griffin stepped up to the spot and duly converted. (see video clip).
PENALTY GOAL FOR CLANN NA NGAEL
Undaunted, Moylagh then raised the tempo significantly and instantly got through for a goal chance, but Shane Gibney's effort gave Eoin Griffin another opportunity to demonstrate his ability.
That didn't deflate Moylagh and they reeled off three O'Reilly points (two frees) in as many minutes to leave them adrift by four points (0-7 to 1-8) with 10 minutes still on the clock.
Now it was the turn of Clann na nGael to find a response and in the style of worthy champions that's what they did.
Substitute Ger O'Sullivan made an instant impact when his defence-splitting pass made the opening and Ryan McNamee bulged the Moylagh net.
It got better for Clann na nGael when O'Sullivan took a pass from Darragh Swaine in a neat inter-change and calmly finished to the net.
Moylagh managed a Darren Gibney point in between the goals and Padraic Traynor also sent over while O'Reilly grabbed a late goal for Moylagh in added time, but at that stage it wasn't enough.
SCORERS
Clann na nGael – Daragh Griffin 1-2 penalty goal; Ger O'Sullivan 1-0; Ryan McNamee 1-0; Eamonn O Donnachada 0-2; Coilin Griffin 0-1; Philip Garry 0-1; Darragh Swaine 0-1; Thomas Doyle 0-1.
Moylagh – Thomas O'Reilly 1-5 five frees; Colm Fanning 0-2; Padraic Traynor 0-1; Rory Gibney 0-1.
TEAMS
Clann na nGael - Eoin Griffin; Rory Tuite, Jack Doherty, Carl Kelly; Conor Fenton, Darragh Griffin, Ryan McNamee; Darragh Swaine, Cian Swaine; Tom Hanley, Phi‬lip Garry, Eamonn O Donnachada; Paul Tuite, Coilin Griffin, Thomas Doyle. Subs - Ger O'Sullivan for Tuite 50 mins, Darragh Brogan for Hanley 54m.
Moylagh - Aengus Fanning; Shane Gibney, Darren Gibney, Jimmy Boyle; Alan McCann, Peter Fox, Padraic Traynor; Joe Melia, Colm Fanning; Thomas Melia, Sean Reilly, Niall McLarney; Rory Gibney, Emmet Grall. Subs - Aaron Hand for T Melia, Eanna Brody for R Gibney both half-time.
Referee - Patrick Coyle (Curraha).
WATCH THE PRESENTATION
WATCH THE CLOSING MINUTES