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Minors lose to Clan na Gael
Date: 3 Jul 2009 / Category: Youth Football / Views: 168
The result of the recent North Armagh minor league game between Clann Eireann and Clan na Gael would have a huge bearing on who would claim the 2009 league title. If Clan na Gael were to win, then they would become uncatchable but if Clann Eireann managed to win and follow up by winning their remaining three games, then they would become 2009 league victors.
The Clans had the perfect start; a midfielder won the ball from the throw in and raced up the field to score the first point of the match. They then tagged on two more points before Fluffy opened the home team’s account with a point on 7 minutes. This only spurred the visitors on as they hit another three balls over the bar before Clann Eireann managed a second from a well taken Dylan free. The Clans immediately scored their seventh, Clann Eireann replied with two more pointed frees, one from Ciaran and the other from Dylan. Clan na Gael negated these scores with two points of their own and went further ahead when they scored the first goal of the match on the 20 minute mark. The future was looking bleak for the home team as they trailed by 1-9 to 0-4 at this stage. Clan na Gael were looking that wee bit sharper at this point and on a number of occasions caught the local lads dozing when it game to quick frees and sideline balls. Perhaps this was just a case of a bit of rustiness, as Clann Eireann hadn’t played a competitive game in over 5 weeks whereas the Clans had had a couple of matches recently and had just played the Tones, two days before. Nevertheless, Michael Beattie gathered the ball in front of goal and after swivelling around to get a shot; he promptly planted the ball beyond the Clan’s goalie to give Clann Eireann a much needed boost. Unfortunately, the elation was short lived as, within 2 minutes, Clan na Gael grabbed their second goal. The home team did manage to add another point before the break, John Corden scoring, having received the pass from Fluffy. This left the Cans in a strong position at half time with the score at: Clann Eireann 1-5 Clan na Gael 2-9
The second half began with Clann Eireann knowing that it was going to take some effort to overhaul Clan na Gael. The first score fell to Clan na Gael after 3 minutes but Clann Eireann immediately replied with a Mousey 13 metre free. They collected another when Michael Beattie pointed, after being picked out with a fine pass from Ciaran. The Clans scored another point. Michael Beattie replied with a fisted attempt at goal, just palmed over the bar by a despairing defender. Mousey added another, then Ciaran pointed, followed by another Mousey point. Clann Eireann were now on top. They were winning the ball around the middle, the defence was blocking and tackling with a new found ferocity and the balls were now getting through to the forwards who had the measure of the visiting defence. Mousey scored again, a great point that came off the inside of the upright. The margin had been reduced to two points and everything seemed to be going Clann Eireann's way. Then disaster struck, the Clans were awarded a penalty, the home defence protested, saying that the foul had taken place outside the area but their protests were in vain and Clan na Gael duely scored their third goal. They added a point and although Clann Eireann scored two more points of their own(both from Mousey), they ran out of time and Clan na Gael finished in front and 2009 league winners, on a scoreline of:
Clann Eireann 1-14 Clan na Gael 3-12.
A disappointing result but the second half display gave everyone a much needed lift. Considering that so many players were absent for whatever reason, Chris, Barry, Rory, Andrew and Arron, this was indeed a very good performance. Everybody who played contributed and I’m sure that the senior players won’t mind when I mention that all the U-16s performed heroics and indeed were all worthy of the praise that they received after the game. The team should now go on and try to secure the runners up spot in the league, look forward to the all county league which is due to start on the 20th July and prepare for their championship game, against St. Peter’s, which is drawing closer. Still a lot of football to be played this summer.