AGB pack too much punch for gallant Clan na Gael

AGB CLAN NA GAEL

THIS under-13 C football semi-final was played in beautiful sunshine in Ballinakill on Sunday afternoon last, October 29. Underfoot conditions were good and we were treated to a well contested, enjoyable game.

It took Clan na Gael a little while to settle into the game and they were fortunate in the early stages that AGB were unable to convert outfield possession into scores.

AGB had got off to a great start when corner forward Adam O’Leary had the ball in the net inside two minutes.

The Arklow men continued to keep up the pressure but the Kilmac/Enniskerry combination’s full-back line were very steady and managed to keep their eager opponents at bay.

Goalkeeper Billy Corrigan, who went on to have a great game overall, was very prominent and safe in these early stages.

AGB centre back Conor Gahan stole forward and scored his side’s first point in the eighth minute.

The AGB half-forward line of Tiernan Gahan, Paudie Kavanagh and Brian Hurley were all good ball players and were comfortable with the ball in hand. A point from a free by Hurley left the Arklow men ahead by three points after eight minutes.

Clan na Gael had hardly entered their opponents’ half at this stage and were very slow to settle.

A point from a free by John Fox seemed to give the whole team a lift.

Further points by centre forward Luke Kelly and corner forward Sam Morgan left the score at 1-2 to 0-3 after 15 minutes.

Clan na Gael were back in the game. The midfield quartet of centre back Dylan Henry, John Fox, Sean O’Rourke and centre forward Luke Kelly had taken a grip and AGB were pinned back in their own half for a while.

Brian Hurley pointed another free for AGB but Luke Kelly responded with a point for Clanna Gael.

Two further pointed frees by Brian Hurley left the AGB side ahead by 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.

When the game restarted, Clan na Gael were unable to regain the momentum they had coming up to the end of the first period.

Brian Hurley had the first point of the second half and Adam O’Leary scored his second goal after six minutes Hurley pointed another free after eight minutes. A great goal by Dylan Henry two minutes later kept Clanna Gael alive but two quick goals by Conor Healy and Brian Hurley put AGB out of sight.

Sean O’Rourke fisted home a goal for Clan na Gael when John Fox floated in a free into the goalmouth but that was Clan Na Gael’s final score.

Tiernan Gahan had the last score of the game when he pointed for AGB. Final score was AGB 4-8 Clan na Gael 2-4

Scorers - AGB: Adam O’Leary 2-0, Brian Hurley 1-6, Conor Gahan 0-1, Tiernan Gahan 0-1, Conor Healy 1-0.

Clan na Gael: Dylan Henry 1-0, Sean O’Rourke 1-0, Luke Kelly 0-2, John Fox 0-1, Sam Morgan 0-1.

AGB: Denis O’Reilly; Oisin Wood, Gordan Prestige, Killian Brehoney; Jack Flusk, Conor Gahan, Paul Moore; Aaron O’Brien, Niall O’Donovan; Tiernan Gahan, Paudie Kavanagh, Brien Hurley; Adam O’Leary, Conor Healy, Padraig Kelly. Subs: Michael Gough, Fionn Henry, Ben Clancy, Patrick Shaw, Jos Rafferty, Thomas O’Reilly.

Clan na Gael: Billy Corrigan; Andrew Doyle, Sam Condon, Conal Tighe; Luke Weldon, Dylan Henry, Mikey Doyle; Sean O’Rourke, John Fox; Chase Scully, Luke Kelly, Jamie Buckley; Sam Morgan, Cian Geraghty, Kieran Griffith.

Referee: Ollie Murphy