Lannleire edged out in SFC
September 1998
LANNLEIRE succumbed to the power and experience of a masterful outfit in Clan na Gael on Sunday as their dreams of a first Joe Ward Cup success ended in great disappointment in front of a fine blue and white following at a wet and very windy Grove Field in Castlebellingham. The Clans won the tie 0-8 to 0-4.
A glance at the weather forecast on Saturday delivered the worst possible news for the Dunleer management and as it turned out the conditions - for the first week in September - fell perfectly for the Dundalk side who had one hand on the cup by the time Bob Doheny blew his whistle for the first time.
The likes of David and Thomas Staunton, Gerry Curran and Seamus O’Hanlon lorded it at times around centrefield, using their body strength to hold up Lannleire time after time and rarely did Dunleer look capable of mounting a series assault on the Clans goal.
They did have their chances, especially in the second half, but failed to find the target for long periods despite enjoying ample possession but when the Clans pushed forward they had a match winner in Cathal O’Hanlon who kicked three points on the turn, displaying the class gleaned playing at the top level for a number of years.
One could hardly fault Paul Kearney for his marking job on O’Hanlon as the Clans man has upset even some of the best inter county full backs in his day.
Indeed only once did Kearney overcommit himself, on 39 minutes, but O’Hanlon, in on goal, blasted against a post courtesy of a touch by Jimmy Pepper.
Lannleire: Jimmy Pepper, Colin Cassidy, Paul Kearney, John O’Connor (0-1), John Boylan, John McGrane, Darren Reynolds, Martin Farrelly (01), Stephen Flood, Noel Grace, Brendan Martin, Patrick O’Connor, Noel Callan, Frank Clare, Nicky Malone (0-2). Subs: Derek Farrelly for Grace (30), Thomas Martin for Clare (52), John Matthews for Cassidy (59).