Clann na nGael finish strong to take JFC title

Tomas O'Dughaill's two-pointers proved crucial to Clann na nGael's JFC final victory.

Clann na nGael 0-2-13 (17)

St Vincent’s 1-2-8 (15)

With five minutes remaining, the Meath JFC final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday looked like it might be headed for a replay as the sides remained deadlocked. In the 56th minute, Tomas O'Dughaill kicked a massive two-pointer, much to the delight of the Clann na nGael faithful. Paddy Arnold pulled one back for Paul McManus’ side before that score was cancelled out by a short-range Ben Corkery free and soon after the final whistle confirmed Clann na nGael as JFC champions for 2025.

Clann na nGael were the much stronger side in the early exchanges and dominated possession. They rattled off the first five points and had several missed opportunities as well. St Vincent’s were very slow out of the blocks but eventually got off the mark in the 18th minute.

Clann na nGael kept the scoreboard ticking in the second quarter but a goal in the 28th minute and a massive two-pointer on the cusp of half-time brought St Vincent’s right back into the contest.

St Vincent’s best period came just after the restart as they rattled off three points to hit the front in the 37th minute, O'Dughaill provided the first of his two crucial two-pointers to regain the lead for Clann na nGael. A two-pointer from Conor O’Brien kept St Vincent’s in the contest and with five minutes remaining, the sides were deadlocked. The game unravelled for St Vincent’s in the closing stages as Clann na nGael claimed the Peter McDermott Cup.

Corkery was on fire for Clann na nGael early on. The tricky corner forward hit one off his left and one off his right as Clann na nGael opened up a gap of five points early on. Darragh Swaine, Sean Og Tiernan and Eoin Kelliher also made contributions for Niall McLoughlin’s side in that opening quarter.

When a Michael McIvor free rattled back off the post, a scramble at the Clann na nGael goalmouth ensued. Patrick McGill got a shot away but it was well saved by Eoin Griffen. St Vincent’s got off the mark in the 18th minute through Conor O’Brien before Clann na nGael responded well with a brace of points from Dylan Doherty and Corkery and after 25 minutes Clann na nGael led 0-7 to 0-1.

Against the run of play, a good ball into the danger zone from Conor Harford was fisted to the net by Matthew Griffen. O’Dughaill tapped over a short-range free for Clann na nGael before a buzzer-beater two-pointer from Conor O’Brien filled St Vincent’s full of hope heading into the dressing room at half-time. At the break, Clann na nGael led 0-8 to 1-3.

Michael McIvor hit the ground running after the restart with three frees as St Vincent’s outscored Clann na nGael 0-4 to 0-1 in a seven-minute spell that saw them hit the front after 37 minutes. O’Dughaill hit a massive two-pointer to leapfrog his team back in front and Cormac Smith followed up to extend the gap back to two.

McGill pulled the gap back to one before Darragh Griffen and Adam Tuite traded scores. Conor O’Brien scored his second two-pointer and with 10 minutes remaining St Vincent’s led by one. Corkery levelled proceedings. before Clann na nGael finished strongest and that aforementioned second two-pointer for O’Dughaill proved to be vital as the Athboy side secured IFC status for 2026.

Clann na nGael - Eoin Griffin; Philip Garry, Jack Doherty, Daragh O’Reilly; Diarmuid O Donnchadha, Cormac Smith (0-2 two frees), Liam Kelleher; Daragh Griffen (0-1), Eoin Kelliher (0-1); Sean Og Tiernan (0-1), Paul Tuite, Dylan Doherty (0-1); Ben Corkery (0-5 one free), Darragh Swaine (0-1), Tomas O Dughaill (0-6 one free, two two-points). Subs - Ryan McNamee for Kelleher 39m, Gerry O’Sullivan for Doherty

St Vincent’s - Evan Conor; Mark Crawley, Niall Tallon, Ryan Hand; Gary Tuite, Davy Tallon, Shane Caffrey; Matthew Tuite, Conor O’Brien (0-5 two-points ; Robert Tallon, Conor Harford, Nigel Hand; Patrick McGill (0-2), Michael McIvor (0-3 three frees), Adam Tuite (0-1). Subs - Matthew Griffen (1-0) for R Tallon 20m, Paddy Arnold (0-1) for N Hand 56m, Conor White for N Tallon 57m.

Referee - Robbie Barrett (Walterstown).