Cooley grab lifeline

COOLEY KICKHAMS CLAN NA GAEL 0-21 2-12

COOLEY Kickhams turned in their best performance of the season as they recorded a second victory to move off the foot of the table.

For their part, it was a disappointing evening for the Clans as the home side suffered a fourth successive defeat that sees them sucked into a real dogfight at the wrong end of the table.

In what developed into an entertaining first half, the Kickhams saw Fearghal Malone and Brian White in fine form in front of the posts, while Robbie Curran and JJ Quigley ensured the Clans kept in touch.

However, all of Cooley’s good early seemed in vain when the home side netted the opening goal of the game at the midway point through Mark Newell , ensuring they were leading by 1-8 to 0-8 at half time.

Cooley continued to pick off their points and although the Clans scoring rate slowed down somewhat, they did stay very much in the game following a second goal from Mark McGeown.

However, the visitors were not to be denied as they took their tally to an impressive 21 points to claim a vital victory in their battle for survival.

With Cooley now one of three teams on five points at the bottom of the table, the Clans, who sit on seven points need a win to stop the rot and stay clear of the pack.

COOLEY KICKHAMS: Neil Gallagher; Paddy Hanlon, Dean McGreehan, James O’Reilly 0-2; Eoin McDaid, Conor McGuinness, Gerry Malone; Richard Brennan 0-1, Fearghal Malone 0-7; Emmet Rogan 0-2, Aoghain McGuinness, Michael Rafferty 0-2; Darren Marks, Brian White 0-6, Ciaran Sheelan 0-1. Subs: Alan Page, Keith White.

CLAN NA GAEL: Stephen Smith; Ian Carr, Craig Long, Tiarnan Reilly; Kevin Carroll, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Michael McDonnell; Leo Martin 0-1, Robbie Curran 0-5; Mark Newell 1-2, Mark McGeown 1-0, Conor Noonan 0-1; Billy Smith 0-1, JJ Quigley 0-2, Paul Gore. Sub Stephen Coleman.