Carnew prove too good for brave Clan na Gael
A strong Carnew outfit took the Minor ‘C’ football Shield with a comprehensive win over a spirited Clan na Gael side in Ballinakill on Sunday morning last.
Carnew, with the aid of a strong breeze, started nicely with an early Shane Byrne point. Carnew were applying constant pressure dominating around the middle through Maurice Sheil, Liam O’Neill and Thomas Collins.
Byrne was to finish high to the net found just before the first water break after a Darragh Rawson pass freed him inside the Clan na Gael back line.
Dan Redmond got a second Carnew goal immediately after the restart and points by the impressive Liam O’Neill, Richard Greene and Ben Gilligan and a brace by Redmond helped them to a comfortable half-time lead.
Nathan Quinn had made a couple of fine saves in the Clan na Gael goal as Carnew went looking for more goals near the end of the half. Clan na Gael had raided sporadically in the opening half with John Fox and Billy Corrigan showing well with Eoin Cleary having a fine game in the overworked full-back line.
Christy Fox and Caroline Mulligan had their men more fired up for the second half and they showed vast improvement. They enjoyed plenty of possession and should have put some scores on the board before a third Carnew goal killed off any hopes Clan na Gael may have had of a comeback when sub Billy Molloy found the top corner after a fine passing move in the 38th minute.
Half-forward John Fox finished to the net at the other side soon after for a Clan na Gael major after they cut through the Carnew defence with some good attacking play. A couple of points from Fox and the industrious Sean O’Rourke were just reward for a better second half display all round.
Dan Redmond, who had been a thorn in the side of the Kilmac/ Enniskerry amalgamation all day, scored his second before man of the match Liam O’Neill floated over a brilliant free in to the wind to finish the scoring.
CARNEW EMMETS: Adam Jordan; Darragh Rawson, Ruairi O’Brien, William Kenny; Jake O’Dwyer, Thomas Collins, Zach Jordan; Liam O’Neill (0-6) and Maurice Sheil (0-1), Richard Greene (0-2), Shane Byrne (1-3), Will Molloy; Ben Gilligan (0-1), Daniel Redmond (2-2), Finian Collins. Subs: Billy Molloy (1-2), Niall Maxwell and Ryan Austin.
CLAN NA GAEL: Nathan Quinn; Sam Condon, Eoin Cleary, Stephane DeBairead; Jack Clarke, Sean O’Rourke (0-1), Mikey Doyle; Brandon Morgan and Josh Kenny; Dylan Henry, Luke Kelly, John Fox (1-1); Oisin Kennedy, Peter O’Toole, Billy Corrigan. Subs: Jamie Buckley, Josh Mould, Sam Morgan and Rhys Morgan. REFEREE: Kieron Kenny (Tinahely)