Clans sink Saints to close in on top four
CLAN NA GAEL ST MARYS 2-16 2-8
CLAN na Gael recorded an eight-point victory over St Marys on Friday night to move away from relegation trouble and leave them still in with a chance of making the top four.
The game in Ardee saw the home side got off the mark through Ronan Carroll before points from Billy Smith and Robbie Curran had the Clans in front. St Marys then got on top and a goal from Mary Fay had them ahead at the end of the first quarter.
However, the visitors dominated the remainder of the half and a goal from a Smith penalty along with points from Paul Crewe and Conor Noonan had them leading by 1-6 to 1-3 at the half time whistle.
The Clans doubled their advantage when JJ Quigley hit the net just seconds after the restart and they struck six unanswered points with Mark McGeown and Conall McKeever among those on target to lead by 2-12 to 1-3 after 37 minutes.
Although the Marys did reply with the next three points from Daire McConnon (2) and Liam Jackson there was no way back for the hosts and the Clans remained in control despite Ciaran Keenan scoring a late consolation for the hosts.
CLAN NA GAEL: Stephen Smith; Ian Carr, Craig Long, Micheal McDonnell; Paul Crewe 0-1, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Kevin Carroll; Leo Martin, Robbie Curran 0-7; Conall McKeever 0-1, Mark McGeown 0-2, Conor Noonan 0-1; Paul Gore, JJ Quigley 1-1, Billy Smith 1-3. Subs: John Byrne for C McKeever, Tiarnan Reilly for M McGeown.
ST MARYS: Alan McGauley; Brendan Matthews, Karl Faulkner, Conor Keenan; Wayne Matthews, Donal McKenny, Eimhin Keenan; Robbie Leavy, Ronan Carroll 0-4; Paudy Clarke, Daire McConnon 0-2, Dean Matthews; Mark Fay 1-1, Jamie Rooney, Liam Jackson 0-1. Subs: Ciaran Keenan 1-0 for W Matthews, Alan Kirk for D Matthews, Ryan Rooney for J Rooney, Evan Malone for M Fay, Robbie Clarke for R Carroll.