Jocks make absolutely sure of O’Donnell Cup sem-final spot

NAOMH MAIRTIN CLAN NA GAEL 3-8 1-8

NAOMH Mairtin confirmed a fourth place finish with a six-point victory away to Clan na Gael on Saturday night and as a result they will take on St Marys in the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup Final.

Following an impressive start, the Clans league form has been poor of late but they went into this game knowing they were certain of staying up, barring a number of unlikely results. In the end their early season form proved enough to see them safe on score difference.

The Mairtins could only be denied a top four finish by a similar series of freak results but from the outset they were determined to keep their fate in their own hands. An early goal from Wayne Campbell set them on their way as they had the edge in the opening quarter.

However, the Clans battled back into the game and a goal from Mark McGeown saw them trail by just 1-6 to 1-4 at half time.

The second period proved to be a low-scoring affair but it was the Mairtins who made sure of victory with goals from Brian Berrill and Mark McCullough to run out winners by six points.

NAOMH MAIRTIN: Craig Lynch; Paul Berrill, Michael Fanning, Patrick Sullivan; Padraig McDonagh, Benny Reilly, Thomas Sullivan 0-1; Wayne Campbell 0-1, Gavin Mooney; Sam Mulroy 0-4, Eoghan Callaghan, Stephen Campbell; Fra McCullough 0-1, Brian Berrill 1-0, Mark McCullough 1-2.

CLAN NA GAEL: Sean Smith; John Byrne, Paul Crewe 0-1, Donal Boyle; Micheal McDonald, Stephen Fitpatrick, Kevin Carroll; Ray McCabe, Conor Noonan; Conall McKeever, Billy Smith 0-4, Robbie Curran 0-2; Paul Gore, Mark McGeown 1-1, Stephen Coleman. Sub: Drew Duffy for M McGeown.