Our U14 Footballers wrapped up their Féile Competition in some style with a super team performance in their Féile A Shield win over Newtown Gaels on Sunday 19th May in Hawkfield on a fine day for football.
Newtown Gaels having won the toss decided to play against the breeze having probably expected a slow start from Clane. However, Clane got off to a flying start with Seán Tighe operating at number 11 scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes that would grace any final anywhere.
Clane scores followed with Seán Dunne popping over a point after good work on the wing from the flying Adam Fitzpatrick. Newtown Gaels rallied and opened their account with two fine points. Another flowing move from Clane had the impressive Seán Tighe splitting open the defence and when the rebounded shot came, Daniel Colbert, as all good corner forwards, was on hand to coolly slot a low-angled shot beyond the Newtown keeper. Newtown finally found their full forward Nathan Yap and just this once in the first half managed to breach the sticky Clane full back line. The Clane full back line of Steven Lohan, Nathan Carr and Riann O Neill had Newtown Gaels management giving the curly finger to two of their three starting full forwards such was the dominance of this line. Calum Doran effervescent in the half forward line then popped up with an incredible effort from distance and against the breeze to steady the Clane-ship. This however seemed to galvanise the Newtown lads to further action and following an accidental clash that saw Clane team Captain Danny Malone having to go off after 20 minutes, it looked like things might start turning but instead the Clane lads upped their effort, none more so that Danny’s mid-field partner Shane Davitt. The Clane midfielders of Shane Davitt and Danny Malone were putting in a huge shift keeping the engine room of Newtown Gaels spluttering. Calum Doran slotted another fine point and Newtown added two more points from DJ Percival & Ronan Doorey. However, Clane pushed on with the classy Clane half back line of Donal Fitzpatrick, Adam Fitzpatrick (no relation) and Shane Henry taking control again; Seán Tighe netted his third goal and his teams fourth. This was followed with Clane right corner forward Tadgh O Donoghue flashing over a super left footed effort from a tight angle in the right corner while the first half scoring was finished off by Clane with the industrious and hardworking Rhys Vaughan clipping over a fine score.
Half time saw Clane a deserved 10 points to the good but facing the breeze in the second half. Newtown were hoping to pile on the pressure in the second 30 minutes, however Clane were not waving any white flags of surrender! Danny Malone re-joined the fray having had a few sips from the magic bottle.
A quick succession of Clane scores followed; Seán Dunne showed in front, turned his man and kicked his second point of the game. This was followed by a Calum Doran goal, for Clane’s fifth goal. Another excellent team score from Clane followed from a super catch on the line from the Clane Keeper Hugh Muldoon and this started a move that swept down the field and ended when Rhys Vaughan slotted his second point. Newtown responded with a good point. A further Calum Doran point extended the Clane lead and entering the final 15 minutes it was looking good for the men in white. However Newtown Gaels were not finished; they hit their purple patch in the game and netted 2 -02 with Percival and Conor Sullivan scoring for Newtown Gaels but Clane refocused and finished with a fine team goal finished to the net by Eddie O Loughlin. Eddie wrapped up the scoring with another point. This was an all-round team performance, full of commitment and determination; a supporter in the crowd described the Clane movement to that of a senior team.
The long whistle saw Clane victorious after a super game of football on a score line of 6-09 to 3-07.
Clane Hugh Muldoon, Steven Lohan, Nathan Carr, Riann O Neill, Donal Fitzpatrick, Shane Henry, Adam Fitzpatrick, Shane Davitt, Danny Malone (Capt.), Calum Doran, Séan Tighe, Rhys Vaughan, Daniel Colbert, Séan Dunne, Tadgh O Donoghue, Cully Healy, Adam Hines, Eddie O Loughlin, James O Donoghue
Across the lines:
The Clane full back line of Steven Lohan (2), Nathan Carr (3) and Riann O Neill (4) had Newtown Gaels management giving the curly finger to their starting forwards such was the dominance of this line. And when there was any breech of this line the agility of Clane No 1 Hugh Muldoon was on hand to avert any danger. Hugh pulled off three super saves and in the second half plucked a dangerous ball from under his cross bar, Steven Cluxton like, to start a move that ended with a fine team point at the other end.
The Clane Half back line of Donal Fitzpatrick (5), Shane Henry (6) and Adam Fitzpatrick (7) were immense and covered off the hard running Newtown half forwards and turned defence into attack throughout the game much to the frustration of the Newtown half forwards.
The Clane midfielders of Shane Davitt (8) and Danny Malone (9) were putting in a huge shift keeping the engine room of Newtown Gaels spluttering. Newtown tried bouncing off the Clane lads but to no avail; there was going to be no quarter given.
The old adage of backs win games and forwards decide by how much was never more apt as the hardworking, ball winning and straight running of the Clane half forward line of Calum Doran (10), Rhys Vaughan (10), Seán Tighe (11) and Rhys Vaughan (12) caused Newtown no end of trouble. This intensity of play continued into the explosive, dynamic and tricky full forwards, lead in the line excellently by Seán Dunne (14) with Daniel Colbert (13) and Tadgh O Donoghue (15) causing no end of problems to the Newtown defence.
Clane introduced Cully Healy and Cully quickly made his presence known to the Newtown defence on a day for stepping forward. James O Donoghue replaced Adam Fitz and was very steady in defence.
With 12 minutes to go, Newtown found some space and drove hard at the Clane goal, this signalled the start of a purple patch for Newtown Gales that yielded 2 03 but Clane steadied the ship via an Eddie O Loughlin goal following a good move from Clane. Clane tagged on another score to wind out the game.
Final Score 6 09 – 3 07
On behalf of all at Clane GAA club we would like to congratulate Niall, James and the entire squad on the huge effort they put in starting back in the dark nights of winter last year. Winning the Féile A Shield was a great accomplishment and just reward for their efforts.
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