Mattock have edge in dress rehearsal
MATTOCK Rangers kept the pressure on Newtown Blues at the top of the table when they defeated Clan na Gael in a championship dress rehearsal at Collon on Sunday afternoon.
The result represents another dent in the hopes of Clan na Gael who have now lost three successive games following their impressive start to the season.
There wasn’t a lot between the teams over the course of this game but in the end it was a goal from David Reid in the closing stages that finally killed off the Clans challenge.
The confidence of the home side was clear in the opening half as they found the net through Brendan Leacy and Aaron O’Brien. However, the Clans were always in contention and a goal from JJ Quigley saw them trail by just 2-8 to 1-7 at half time.
The result remained in doubt during the second half as the Dundalk men responded well with points from Robbie Curran, Paul Crewe and Mark McGeown.
However, Mattock managed to shade it in the end as Reid got through for a goal as he brought his personal tally to 1-7 for the day. MATTOCK RANGERS: Mike Englishby; Alan Caraher, Sean Gilsenan, Cillian Hickey; Terry Donegan, Niall McKeown, Brendan Leacy 1-0; Conor Leneghan, Ryan Leneghan; Ben McKenna, Aaron O’Brien 1-4, JP Watters; Daire Englishby, David Reid 1-7, Michael McKeown 0-1.
CLAN NA GAEL: Sean Smith; Ian Carr, Paul Crewe 0-1, Tiarnan Reilly; Craig Long, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Kevin Carroll; Leo Martin 0-2, Robbie Curran 0-6; Conor Noonan, Mark McGeown 0-1, Micheal McDonnell; Mark Newell 0-2, JJ Quigley 1-1, Paul Gore. Sub: John Byrne for K Carroll, Jason Cullen for C Noonan.