Clann's pace and power leaves Tulsk with no answer

Hodson Bay Group Roscommon Senior Football Championship Group C

Clann na nGael 3-14 Tulsk Lord Edwards 1-8

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Clann na nGael upped the ante in the second half to comfortably see off Tulsk Lord Edwards in this Roscommon senior football championship group game at Tulsk last Sunday.

Tulsk, playing at home and against the strong wind in the first half, set up to keep the ball and run the clock down as best they could. Actually for the first quarter, although they didn’t score themselves, they did keep the visitors to just 0-2. They kicked their first score in the 15th minute, a free from Thomas O’Rourke.

But Clann had come into the game after a morale-boosting victory over Strokestown and once they got a foothold on proceedings, they started to flaunt their stuff and keep the scoreboard busy.

Roscommon player Ciaran Lennon kicked 0-4 and midfielder David McManus kicked a brace and they found themselves in the ascendancy, 0-9 to 0-2, at half-time. Clann did show slight signs of flatness in the first quarter. More upstairs than in the legs, perhaps taking Tulsk for granted to some extent. But their management duo of Pat Fallon and Seán Conlon weren’t having any of it, vocally urging them to up the pace in the second quarter.

After the turnover Clann got momentum going and they scored at will. With their quick use of possession and pace, they tore Tulsk to shreds at times. Patrick Gavin was an influential figure at the back. Dylan Sumner was the driving force out of defence to set up attacks and David Connaughton was like a hoover picking up loose balls in the half back line.

Ciaran Lennon kicked off the second half scoring for Clann, kicking a very difficult free from out on the left against the wind. Then David McManus broke the lines again and kicked his third score.

Tulsk did have opportunities but their finishing left a lot to be desired. O’Rourke kicked four frees to keep the scoreline respectable. But Clann’s energy levels appeared to be getting stronger in the third quarter and they started to up the ante with pace and powerful running.

In the 47th minute, Patrick Gavin went on a 50m run and his pass found Kieran Connaughton and the midfielder rounded Seán Martin before planting the ball in the net . Minutes later, Sumner made a powerful carry, and this time Fearghus Lennon finished the ball to the net.

Clann were home and dry by the 50th minute, leading 2-12 to 0-6. David McManus kicked his fourth of the game, his kick went off the crossbar, landed on the crossbar and then came back into play - but the umpire deemed that the ball had gone over and waved the white flag for a score.

The Johnstown men finished the game with aplomb. Kieran Connaughton caught the kickout and kept the ball moving at pace to Oisin Lennon, the centre back carried with pace and power before playing in Henry, and the full-forward finished what was the score of the game.

Tulsk did get a consolation late penalty. Daniel Connolly was impeded and the referee awarded the spot kick and Connolly dusted himself off before beating David Finneran in the Clann goal.

The Clann management will be delighted with the progress their side is making. Their fitness has improved no end from previous years. Their speed of thought, the width of their play and pace has improved drastically. They have now put themselves as a third contender for the Fahey Cup alongside St Brigid’s and Pearses. They have Fergal Lennon to return and who knows, maybe Ultan Harney might get back to action too, seeing the strides his teammates are making.

Man of the match: David McManus (Clann na nGael). McManus worked hard for his team in the middle sector and also kicked 0-4 from play. Patrick Gavin was excellent and Dylan Sumner and Oisin Lennon were driving forces from the back. Fearghus Lennon and Séa Henry did the bulk of the scoring in the forwards. For Tulsk, Evan Flynn did an excellent man marking job on Ciaran Lennon, holding the county player scoreless from play. Kieran Donoghue and Padraig Scott did all they could from defence, but Tulsk just hadn’t enough possession to do damage in attack.

Scorers - Clann: S Henry and F Lennon 1-2 each; C Lennon 0-5 (5f); D McManus 0-4; K Connaughton 1-0; P McManus 0-1. Tulsk: T O’Rourke 0-5 (5f); D Connolly 1-0 (pen); P Scott, J Flynn and David McNamara 0-1 each.

Clann na nGael: David Finneran; Tom Lennon, Dylan Sumner, Patrick Gavin; Shane Pettit, Oisin Lennon, David Connaughton; David McManus, Kieran Connaughton; Paul McManus, Ciaran Lennon, Emmett Kenny; Fearghus Lennon, Séa Henry, Josh Lennon. Subs used: Oisin O’Flaherty for Kenny (42 mins), Jack Connaughton for Pettit (48), Cathal Duignan for Sumner (50).

Tulsk Lord Edwards: Seán Martin; Keith Jennings, Niall McNamara, Kieran Donoghue; Padraig Scott, Evan Flynn, Gavin Callaghan; Darragh O’Rourke, David Coyne; Dylan Gaughan, Cathal O’Rourke, Thomas O’Rourke; Daniel Connolly, Seán Murray, Ryan Larkin. Subs used: Robbie Kelly for Callaghan (H-T), Jack Flynn for Larkin (56), David McNamara for C O’Rourke (56).

Referee: Dermot Lyons