Five star showing from Clann Under-14s in League Final

Clann na Gael 5-14  Stewartstown 2-6

CLANN na Gael produced a fine display of attacking football at Kildress on Saturday morning to defeat a battling Stewartstown side in the final of the Grade Four Under-14 League.

They were worthy winners on the day but the final scoreline doesn’t do justice to a Stewartstown side who enjoyed plenty of possession during the sixty odd minutes but were punished by slick moving opponents who made the most of any scoring opportunities that came their way.

Team Captain Tiernan Donaghey opened the scoring for the winners before their leading scorer on the day Jack Dooher doubled their advantage from a free.

Killian Armour opened Stewartstown’s account in the 8th minute but despite having chances they struggled to add to their tally in the remainder of the half. Sixty seconds later Dooher dummied his marker before sending the ball to the net before a well taken point from Shay O’Neill left it 1-3 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter.

When Clann na Gael won possession from the next kickout again Donaghey fired in their second goal to leave them in control. The Harps missed a few chances while at the other end of the field wind assisted Clann na Gael tagged on points from Dooher and Donaghey.

Good play from Shane O’Kane saw him play a brilliant ball across to the unmarked Shay O’Neill and the midfielder did the rest with a neat finish to the bottom left hand corner of the net. Stewartstown were unlucky to hit the bar before midfielder Jack Devlin capped a surging run with a good point to leave it 3-6 to 0-2 at halftime.

Stewartstown now had the wind at their backs and they opened the second half scoring with a point from Armour. Donaghy and Devlin swapped points before the winners enjoyed a purple patch that put the result beyond any doubt. Caoilte O’Mianain and Daragh McBride scored goals with Donaghy and Dooher both converting frees.

In the 47th minute quick thinking from Devlin saw him send a free straight to the net and sixty seconds later Kaiden O’Neill hammered the ball to the roof of the net as well. Stewartstown though were to add just further points from Devlin and Matthew Megaw as Clann na Gael sealed victory with further scores from Donaghy and Dooher.

Clann na Gael scorers: Jack Dooher 1-6 (4F), Tiernan Donaghey 1-3 (1-0 pen, 1F), Shay O’Neill 1-2, Charlie Donaghy 0-3 (2F), Caoilte O’Mianain 1-0, Daragh McBride 1-0

Stewartstown scorers: Jack Devlin 1-3 (1-1 F), Kaiden O’Neill 1-0, Killian Armour 0-2, Matthew Megaw 0-1

Referee: John Early, Fintona