Morale-boosting victory for Pearse Gaels outfit

PEARSE GAELS CLARA GAELS 5-15 0-5

PEARSE GAELS kept their under-20 football championship hopes alive with a comfortable victory over Clan na Gael in Ashford last Sunday morning where their full-forward line combined for a total of 3-11 in the 60 minutes.

With both sides having lost their first game they knew nothing more than victory would suffice and it was Clan na Gael who sprinted faster out of the blocks with Jamie Nally pointing a delightful score after good work by William-Alan Acres.

However, it was to be their only lead as Cormac Doyle replied for Pearse Gaels immediately. A further six points had the home side leading 0-7 to 0-1 after 20 minutes.

Clan na Gael had their best period of the contest with Acres and Ethan O’Mahony clipping good scores to narrow the gap. However, the game was as good as over before half-time.

A Ross Hamilton free was followed by two goals from the hosts.

The first saw Cormac Doyle pick up a loose ball 20 yards from goal before driving low and hard past the keeper.

A minute later Hamilton provided a beautiful lay off to Conor Odlum who picked his spot to perfection for an 11-point halftime lead.

The second half saw pure Pearse Gaels domination with Sean Gregory and Hamilton adding points before their third goal arrived.

Oisin Hill hit a shot from distance that deceived keeper Tom Devereux before nestling in the net. Moments later Hamilton and midfielder Ross Stephenson combined to put Odlum in for his second goal.

The final 20 minutes was played out with a challenge game feel as Pearse Gaels used it for shooting practice.

Clan na Gael, shorn of some of their Enniskerry contingent, battled hard but were ultimately well bet on the day. Sam O’Callaghan and William-Alan Acres were best for them.

Pearse Gaels needed this morale boosting win and it sets them up for the challenge of Tinahely next week.

Rian Dwyer, Conor Odlum and Cormac Doyle were all excellent for them, however, Ross Hamilton in the old target-man role at full-forward was man of the match. He set up countless scores and scored four of his own

Scorers - Pearse Gaels: Conor Odlum 2-3, Cormac Doyle 1-4, Oisin Hill 1-1, Ross Hamilton 0-4, Kian Marah 0-2, Jack Elliott 0-2, Ross Stephenson 0-1, Sean Gregory 0-1.

Clan na Gael: William Alan Acres 0-1, Ethan O’Mahony 0-1, Jamie Nally 0-1.