Clann na nGael go down fighting in extra-time
Clann na nGael's journey in the Leinster Club JFC came to an end on Saturday in Carlow.
Fighting Cocks 2-2-15 (25)
Clann na nGael 1-2-16 (23)
(AET)
Clann na nGael came so close to sealing victory in normal time but a very late two-point free sent their Leinster Club JFC Quarter-Final clash with Fighting cocks into extra-time at the COE in Fenagh.
The Carlow side were stronger in the additional 20 minutes however, Clann na nGael kept battling and a late Tomas Doyle two-point attempt, which would have sent the contest to penalties just drifted to the right and wide.
The game was very tight throughout and,on the line, there was correct predictions made of extra-time midway through the first-half. A two-point free from Doyle sent Clann na nGael in at the break with a two-point advantage.
Clann na nGael were excellent in the second-half and looked like they were getting on top of their opponents. Cormac Smith was playing really well at centre back. The Meath JFC champions will rue some of the chances that they missed though and they probably should have had the game put to bed in normal time.
Fighting Cocks got off to the perfect start when, after two minutes, Conor Ruane fouled Aaron Dowling in the large rectangle and Dowling made no mistake with the penalty. Clann na nGael settled into the contest and between the fifth and ninth minute, Dylan Doherty, Liam Kelleher and Tomas Doyle all raised white flags.
Liam Sheppard set up Billy Molloy, who put the home side ahead by 1-2 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter. A really well struck score from Doyle was followed up by a fisted point courtesy of Sean Og Tiernan. Doyle then edged Clann na nGael in front before Fighting Cocks responded with two points on the spin.
With the last kick before half-time, Doye hit a peach of a two-point free to send Clann na nGael in at the break with a 0-9 to 1-4 advantage.
Fighting Cocks came out early with intent after the restart and hit 1-1 very quickly as Dowling found the back of the net again. Clann na nGael then seized momentum and points from Doyle, Smith and Doherty handed the visitors a 0-13 to 2-6 lead at the end of the third quarter.
A brace of Cillian Fagan points in quick succession edged the Fighting Cocks ahead before Doyle drew the sides level again. Kelleher had a golden opportunity for a goal but his effort was a tad high. However, it still handed the advantage back to Clann na nGael.
Points from substitutes Ryan McNamee and Josh McGrath had the Clann na nGael faithful believing that victory was near. However, with the last kick in normal time, Alan Quigley sent the contest to extra-time with a two-point free.
Points from Billy Nolan, Quigley and Fagan gave the home side a small but significant advantage midway through the opening-half in extra-time. Scores from Smith and Daragh Griffin kept the Athboy side in touch before Ben Corkery lifted spirits with a well-taken goal.
Fighting Cocks finished out the half well with two points on the spin and at the interval the sides were level, 2-16 to 1-19.
All that Clann na nGael were able to muster for the remainder was a point from McGrath. A second two-point free from Quigley and a late score from Dowling proved crucial. As Doyle’s late two-point effort drifted wide, Stephen Fagan blew the final whistle and ended the journey for the Meath JFC champions.
Fighting Cocks - Darragh Byrne; Conor Ruane, James Hickey, Dylan Ruane; Billy Molloy (0-1), William Kelly (0-1), Billy Nolan (0-1); Cormac McElligot, Liam Sheppard (0-1); Matthew English Hayden, Jack McDonald, Emmet Moran; Cillian Fagan (0-3), Alan Quigley (0-7 one free, two two-point frees), Aaron Dowling ( 2-3, 1-0 pen). Subs - Sean McGrath for Hickey 38m, Matthew Dowling (0-1) for M English Hayden 48m, Niall Fitzpatrick for Sheppard 57m, Padhraig Eustace (0-1) for D Ruane 60m. ET subs - Trevor Watchorn for McDonald full-time, Glenn O’Rourke for Watchhorn 75m.
Clann na nGael - Eoin Griffen; Philip Garry, Jack Doherty, Daragh O’Reilly; Diarmuid O’Donnchadha, Cormac Smith (0-4 two frees, one two-point free), Paul Tuite; Daragh Griffin (0-1), Sean Og Tiernan (0-1); Liam Kelleher (0-2), Darragh Swaine, Dylan Doherty (0-2); Andrew Smith, Gerry O’Sullivan, Tomas Doyle (0-7 three frees, one two-point free). Subs - Ben Corkery (1-0) for Smith 36m, Ryan McNamee (0-1) for Swaine 38m, Josh McGrath (0-2) for O’Sullivan 50m, Liam McNamara for Doherty 61m. Et subs - Eoin Kelleher for L Kelleher 62m, Eugene O’Reilly for Garry 67m.
Referee - Stephen Fagan (Wicklow).