Spirited Clann have no answer

Michael Glavey"s wrapped up the Roscommon U-16 title in some style last Saturday evening, the Ballinlough men overcoming a skilful, spirited but ultimately physically smaller Clann na nGael side at Kiltoom. Having been beaten by Padraig Pearses in last year"s under-16 decider, Gerry Pettit"s Clann outfit were out to go one better in this year"s final but, as is so often the case at underage level, the bigger teams usually win out. Saturday"s encounter was no different with Glavey"s fielding a couple of very physically imposing players like Caoileann Fitzmaurice, Ryan Cummins and Andrew Glennon. From watching the game, it seemed as though Clann were every bit as good as their opponents, playing some nice football at times. But some poor decisions in the final third of the field prevented them from making any sort of impact on the scoreboard. By contrast Glavey"s were very economical in their possession - the two first-half goals coming at crucial times and really knocking the wind out of Clann"s sails. Best for Clann on the day was undoubtedly centre-forward Emmet Kenny, who finished with six points to his name as well as proving very useful in possession. Centre-back Darragh Pettit was very sturdy throughout and played particularly well in the first half while forwards Willie Shine and Daniel O"Connor (despite both being substituted late on) also played quite well, both players putting in an honest hour"s work. Barely 60 seconds had gone when Glavey"s signalled their intentions with a well-taken point by Caoileann Fitzmaurice after receiving a pass from Shane O"Malley. But when a rampaging run by Rudhrai McManus saw him felled (possibly inside the box), Emmet Kenny tapped over the resulting free to level up the game. It was as close as Clann would get to their opponents. An Andrew Glennon free put Glavey"s back in front on 5 minutes, and Caoileann Fitzmaurice extended that lead on 7 with his second of the day. Glavey"s were dominant so far but Darragh Pettit at centre-back for Clann was doing his utmost to quell the Glavey"s attack with a number of crucial interceptions and tackles. Still, there was nothing he could have done to stop Glavey"s grabbing their first goal on 12 minutes. It was a fortuitous goal as a speculative effort by Caoileann Fitzmaurice from way out on the left wing dropped short and cruelly under the Clann crossbar - a lucky, but vital score. Clann now found themselves five points adrift and in danger of being over-ran. And so they upped their game. But three consecutive wides did nothing to help their cause. Instead they were stung on 20 minutes by another Glavey"s goal. And there was nothing lucky about this one. A long, high ball into the Glavey"s full-forward line was expertly palmed down by Andrew Glennon into the path of Shane O"Malley. O"Malley still had a lot to do but his powerful shot to the far corner proved too hot to handle for Kevin Molloy and the green flag was raised for a second time. Clann replied soon after with a much needed score - a second Emmet Kenny free. But this was cancelled out a minute later by an Andrew Glennon placed ball. And before the half was out, Glavey"s had stretched their lead to nine points after Glennon tapped over his third of the day. At this stage a nine-point gap was perhaps a little harsh on Clann who had played well. But no-one could argue that Glavey"s didn"t deserve to be in front. It was, however, hoped that upon the turnaround, Clann would avail of the huge gale now blowing down the pitch in their favour and force their way back into the game But the second half saw Glavey"s keep their opponents at arms reach and close out the game. An Andrew Glennon free two-minutes in put Clann further adrift. Kenny responded for Clann but points from Gary Patterson and Michael Flynn meant that the deficit was now eleven points with 20 minutes remaining. A hand injury to Kevin Molloy meant that Clann were forced into a goalkeeper change with Shane Scally introduced on 43 minutes. Kenny and Glennon traded points for their respective sides before Clann hit somewhat of a purple patch - scoring three unanswered points between the 51st and 54th minutes. Kenny (2) and Rudhrai McManus were the scorers. Eight points was still a huge gap to close down in a couple of minutes but, if Clann scored a couple of quick goals, who knows what could have happened? Kenny went for goal from a 14-yard free with time running out but saw his effort fly just wide of the top-corner. Instead Glennon closed the game out with his fifth free of the game - his sixth point in all - and Glavey"s were as good as over the line. There was, however, still time for Clann to finally raise a green flag when a high ball into the square was fisted home by substitute Niall Carr. It was no more than Clann had deserved having finished the game strongly. SCORERS - Michael Glavey"s: Caoileann Fitzmaurice (1-2), Andrew Glennon (0-6, 5f), Michael Flynn (0-1), Gary Patterson (0-1f). Clann na nGael: Emmet Kenny (0-6, 4f), Niall Carr (1-0), Rudhrai McManus (0-1). MICHAEL GLAVEY"S: Darragh Burke, Fintan Kearney, Cathal Kelly, Brian Neary, Conor Hussey, John Finan, Gary Patterson, Shane O"Malley, Ryan Cummins, Michael Flynn, Caoileann Fitzmaurice, Patrick Morris, Andrew Glennon, Seamus Burke, David Connolly. SUBS: Luke McDermott for Seamus Burke (HT), Ian Coyne for David Connolly (60 mins). CLANN NA NGAEL: Kevin Molloy, Cian O"Reilly, James McManus, Paul Mannion, Mark Connaughton, Darragh Pettit, Pearse Harney-Nolan, David Harrington, Darragh Egan, Rudhrai McManus, Emmet Kenny, Daniel O"Connor, Willie Shine, John Finnerty, James Farrell. SUBS: Michael Hardiman for Pearse Harney-Nolan (HT), Niall Carr for James Farrell (HT), Shane Scally for Kevin Molloy (43 mins), James Farrell for Willie Shine (55 mins), Fiachra Lennon for Daniel O"Connor (57 mins). REFEREE: Eddie Heslin (St Michael"s).