O Donnchadha a cut above as Clann na nGael march on

Clann na nGael4-13

Drumree0-10

When these two sides met in the last group game Clann na nGael won but only by two points. In this IHC semi-final at Dunganny on Saturday the margin at the end was considerably bigger and for good reason. Gary Mangan’s side were by some distance the better team.

When you have a strong defence that give little away and a fast-paced, fast-thinking attack well capable of turning chances into scores, victory is always a distinct possibility.

Among Clann na nGael’s forward division was Eamon O Donnchadha, one of Meath’s finest hurlers. In recent times he has been hampered by injuries, but now he is back which is good news for his team as they face into a final against Rathmolyon. He made two recent appearances as a sub, this was his first start for over a year. He marked the significant milestone by notching up 2-3.

Not that he was the only hero on the day for the victors. Joe Ennis caused plenty of problems for the over-stretched, over-worked Drums defence and capped his display with 1-1. Conor McGovern was another who left his imprint on this encounter.

He was involved in many of Clann na nGael’s most enterprising moves and he also helped himself to 1-1. Luke Ennis invariably punished any Drumree indiscretions by converting frees and, as he memorably did in the 24th minute, slicing the ball between the posts from a sideline cut.

In goals Brendan Smith made a couple of smart saves while in front of him he had a hard-grafting, defensive unit including Evan Cole who at one stage in the opening half, swept over a super point from an awkward angle.

It was in the latter stages of that opening half Clann na nGael laid the foundations for this deserved victory. Keith Rooney notched up the opening point in the first minute. Soon after O Donnchadha demonstrated his quality by firing over a super point from out near the sideline.

The contest was evenly balanced with both sides exchanging points, Sean Doyle (three), Daniel Morris and Josh Wall scoring for Drumree, Luke Ennis (four), O Donnchadha again and McGovern responding for Clann na nGael. With 24 minutes on the clock Clann na nGael were in front but only by a point, 0-7 to 0-6. It was then they took things to another level.

With 25 minutes played midfielder Eugene O’Reilly perceptively passed to Luke Ennis who in turn smartly found O Donnchadha. He shipped a heavily tackle but still managed to fire the ball to the net. Luke Ennis raised another cheer from the Clann na nGael supporters soon after that with his point from that sideline cut.

On the stroke of half-time Clann na nGael, who were now in the ascendancy, struck again with another goal. This time Luke Ennis took a free from inside his own half. He found the fleet-footed McGovern out on the wing. He cleverly cut inside before passing to Joe Ennis who fired home. Immediately afterwards Cole scored his point to help Clann na nGael go in at the break with a 2-9 to 0-6 advantage.

A feature of the second-half was that Drumree had plenty of possession. They just couldn’t find a way through the Clann na nGael defensive blockade with Smith a secure presence between the posts. He made a few smart saves including one fine block to stop a stinging effort from Rooney.

Clann na nGael absorbed the pressure and counter-attacked which they did very effectively. On 38 minutes Josh McGrath embarked on a sizzling run before passing to McGovern who finished superbly to the net. In the 47th minute O Donnchadha caught a long clearance close to the Drumree goals. He turned sharply and fired home for his second goal. It was a classy finish.

Drumree battled away throughout the second-half. An indication of the problems they faced was underlined in the way they failed to score from play. They mustered four points in all with Doyle converting two frees. He also lofted over from memorable sideline cut, just like Luke Ennis. Evan Curley also registered a point from a free.

It was never going to be enough to knock a dominant Clann na nGael off course.

Clann na nGael: Brendan Smith; Daragh O’Reilly, Ciaran Fitzsimons, Jeaic Murray; Sean O’Reilly, Jack Doherty, Evan Cole (0-1); Eugene O’Reilly, Niall O’Reilly; Conor McGovern (1-1), Oisin Durcan, Josh McGrath; Eamon O Donnchadha (2-3), Joe Ennis (1-1), Luke Ennis (0-7 five frees, one sideline). Subs – Eoin Kelleher for Durcan 39m, Gerry O’Sullivan for Fitzsimons 50m, Diarmaid O Donnchadha for S O’Reilly 52m, Conor Cribbin Hayes for E O Donnchadha, Cian Harmon for Doherty both 56m.

Drumree: Darragh Carolan; Jeff Wall, Gareth Rooney, David Reilly; AJ Collins, Gavin Byrne, Niall Gavin; Odhran O’Riordan, Aidan Fraher; Keith Rooney (0-1), Daniel Morris (0-1), Keelan Taylor; Darragh Walsh, Josh Wall (0-1), Sean Doyle (0-6 three frees, one sideline). Subs – Evan Curley (0-1) for Fraher 39m, John Crimmins for Doyle 49m, Josh Copeland for Walsh 51m, Killian Gavin for N Gavin 58m.

Referee: Mark Reilly (Kilmessan).