Clann na nGael edge out Drumree to set up semi-final repeat

Clann na nGael .........................1-18

Drumree ..................................0-19

The upshot of it all after the drama in Trim on Saturday is that Clann na nGael did enough to set up a rematch with Drumree in the IHC semi-final following their exciting round five victory over the same opponents.

With one eye on results elsewhere Clann na nGael knew a win would secure their semi-final spot, while it would have taken a calamitous set of scores to deny Drumree a place at the penultimate hurdle.

Those potential outcomes led to a nervous contest with a plethora of frees spoiling the flow of the contest, which was illuminated on occasions of some magnificent moments of brilliance, most notably from Luke Ennis and Eamon O Donnchadha.

Twenty one of the 38 scores came from placed balls in a game that wasn't overly hard hitting, but the few scores that did come from play were spectacular, especially Luke Ennis's stunning 36th minute goal and pair of late outrageous points from either side of the field by O Donnchadha.

Three of the first five scores came from play as Drumree raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead with a pair from Darragh Walsh and a superb score from Daniel Morris adding to an earlier Sean Doyle free that was cancelled out by a free from Luke Ennis.

Doyle and Luke Ennis hit 1-25 between them for their sides, 19 frees and two'65s'.

Luke Ennis with a frees and '65' either side of a fine score from Joe Ennis restored parity before Luke Ennis landed another free to edge Clann na nGael ahead for the first time in the 10th minute, 0-5 to 0-4.

Two frees from Doyle sandwiched a score from Keith Rooney as Drumree resumed control, but three more frees from Luke Ennis, in reply to a point from his 65 from Keelan Taylor, brought Clann na nGael level again.

However, after being denied a goal when Aidan Fraher's point-blank shot was well saved by Brendan Smith, Drumree added three more frees from Doyle to lead by 0-11 to 0-8 at the break. O Donnchadha was introduced at half-time and while he didn't have an immediate impact he did play a significant role in Clann na nGael's win.

Two points from Luke Ennis, one from play way out the field, closed the deficit to one before another Doyle free settled Drumree, but then came Luke Ennis's stunning goal from over 25 metres out after he was set up by Joe Ennis to make it 1-10 to 0-12.

Two points from Doyle (one free) restored Drumree's lead and after he and Luke Ennis traded frees it was the last time Drumree had their noses in front.

Luke Ennis and Josh McGrath pushed Clann na nGael one clear, but Doyle again restored parity, 0-16 to 1-13 in the 53rd minute - then up stepped O Donnchadha to the plate.

A simple score by his standards was followed by a mesmerising score from way out on the left to make it 1-15 to 0-16.

Doyle converted a '65' in response, but O Donnchadha, with an almost replica of his previous score from the other side, restored Clann na nGael's two-point cushion.

Every time Drumree got to within one Clann na nGael responded, with Joe Ennis and Luke Ennis cancelling out scores from Doyle (free) and Taylor to preserve the Athboy/Rathcairn men's lead and secure their semi-final spot where they will hope to repeat the trick when the face Drumree again.

Clann na nGael: Brendan Smith; Daragh O'Reilly, Daragh Brogan, Jeaic Murray; Sean O'Reilly, Jack Doherty, Evan Cole; Eugene O'Reilly, Niall O'Reilly; Eoin Fitzsimons, Oisin Durcan, Josh McGrath (0-1); Eoin Kelleher, Joe Ennis (0-2), Luke Ennis (1-12 eight frees, one '65'). Subs - Eamon O Donnchadha (0-3) for Durcan half-time, Diarmuid O Donnchadha for Fitzsimons 31m, Conor Hayes for Kelleher 45m.

Drumree: Darragh Carolan; Jeff Wall, Gareth Rooney, Sean Kennedy; AJ Collins, Gavin Byrne, Niall Gavin; Odhran O'Riordan, Aidan Fraher; Keith Rooney (0-1), Daniel Morris (0-1), Keelan Traynor (0-2); Darragh Walsh (0-2), Josh Wall, Sean Doyle (0-13 11 frees, one '65'). Sub - Jamie Rattigan for Jeff Wall 57m.

Referee - Derek Ryan (Na Fianna).