Clans move joint top

CLAN NA GAEL GERALDINES 4-13 3-9

CLAN na Gael continued their remarkable run on their return to Division 1 with a victory over Geraldines that sees them move joint top of the table.

In a highly entertaining encounter the Dundalk men were in excellent form in the first half but were forced to hold off an impressive Gers comeback before claiming the victory.

It was Billy Smith who started the goal-fest as he struck the first of seven goals on the night. Robbie Curran then added a second before Craig Long came up from the back to make it three.

It got even better for the Clans just before the break when Smith added a second to see his team take a commanding 4-6 to 0-6 lead into the break.

The second half saw the Gers come out in more determined mood as they took the game to their opponents. Goals from Matthew Corcoran (2) and Jim McEneaney saw them reduce the deficit, however, they had left themselves far too much to do and the Clans were seven ahead by the time the final whistle blew.

CLAN NA GAEL: Sean Smith; Ian Carr, Leo Martin, Donal Boyle 0-1; Craig Long 1-0, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Micheal McDonald 0-1; Robbie Curran 1-4, Conor Noonan; JJ Quigley 0-1, Paul Gore, Conall McKeever; Billy Smith 2-2, Mark McGeown 0-2, Ray McCabe. Subs: Paul Crewe for P Gore, Stephen Coleman for C Noonan, Mark Newell 0-2 for M McGeown.

GERALDINES: Nathaniel Cooney; James Craven, Nicky Mackin, Tiarnan Hand (0-1); Gerard Hoey, Jack Traynor, Paul Clarke (0-1); Matthew Corcoran (2-1), Paddy Hoey; Josh Arrowsmith, Stephen Reidy, Kevin Pepper (0-1); Dara Hamill (0-2), Jim McEneaney (1-1), Shane O’Hanlon (0-1). Subs: Robbie Lynch (0-1) for J Arrowsmith, Neil Jones for K Pepper, Andy Lynch for J Craven.