Clans hold on in tense derby
CLAN NA GAEL SEAN O’MAHONYS 3-10 1-13
ROBBIE Curran inspired Clans to a second successive victory as they defeated town rivals Sean O’Mahonys at Castletown on Friday night.
Robbie Curran was once again the man in form for the home side as he continued his impressive run of form by kicking nine points on the night. It was also a victory based on an excellent first half that saw the Clans eleven points at one stage.
The O’Mahonys, fresh from an impressive win over St Patrick’s the previous week, fought back to within two points in the second half but their revival was halted by a JJ Quigley goal as the Clans held out for the win.
Curran was in stunning form in the early stages as he kicked the first six points of the game from placed balls to give his side a healthy lead. Conor Finnegan opened the O’Mahonys account but goals from Conall McKeever and JJ Quigley had the hosts 2-7 to 0-2 in front.
The O’Mahonys picked themselves up in the closing stages of the half and a goal from Shane Kerrigan cut the gap to 2-7 to 1-4.
The Point Road side continued their revival in the second half and with points from Stephen Fisher, Stephen Kilcoyne and Johnny Connolly they got back to within two. However, the Clans were in no mood to allow the advantage to slip and Quigley fired in his second goal to make sure the hosts claimed the victory.
CLAN NA GAEL: Sean Smith; Tiernan Reilly, Donal Boyle, Kevin Carroll; Paul Crewe, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Micheal McDonnell; Ray McCabe, Robbie Curran 0-9; Conall McKeever 1-0, Mark McGeown 0-1, Chris Noonan; Jason Cullen, JJ Quigley 2-0, Paul Gore. Subs: Billy Smith for J Cullen, Mark Newell for C Noonan, Ian Carr for T Reilly, Leo Martin for P Crewe.
SEAN O’MAHONYS: Kevin Brennan; David Redmond, Ronan Byrne, Mickey Clarke; Kyle Carroll, Liam Dullaghan 0-1, John O’Brien 0-1; Conor Martin, Conor Finnegan 0-5; Johnny Connolly 0-2, Stephen Fisher 0-2, Sean Matthews; Ben McLaughlin, Shane Kerrigan 1-0, Stephen Kilcoyne 0-2. Subs: Barry Mackin for S Kerrigan, Colin Finan for S Matthews.