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Clann Eireann 2-14 v Bredagh 0-08
Armagh’s Clann Eireann produced the performance of the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament so far to easily dispose of a Bredagh team who came in to the tournament in high hopes having defeated holders Burren in the Down championship. In a wind assisted first half, Bredagh took the early initiative with points from Ryan Lewsley, Jack Conlon and two from Rioghan Meehan. A wonder save from Liam Francis denied the raiding Conlon a goal and several other goal chances were squandered as the Bredagh defence were constantly under pressure. Full forward Shaun Lyttle registered Bredagh’s first point with a superb 40 yard free into the face of the gale force wind. Two further points from the impressive Tiernan Kelly and Aodhan McConville extended the Clann Eireann advantage, the pace and ball winning ability from man of the match McConville throughout the game was to be a constant thorn for the Bredagh back line. Bredagh finally awakened from their slumber with the towering Cormac O’Rawe, Jake Carlin and the hard working Ronan Costello beginning to have a bigger influence on the game and two converted frees from Lyttle and Lorcan Fahy gave them hope going into the break 0-7 to 0-3 behind.
The wind which was having a telling factor should have given the Down men great hope going into the second half and another Fahy free reduced the deficit. However at this stage Clann Eireann really upped their game and showed incredible pace and passing ability combined with efficiency in front of goal to totally control the remainder of the game. Kelly set the tone with a great score from a tight angle and a driving run from him tee’d up McConville for the first goal of the game. Points from Ruairi McConville, Conlon, Aodhan McConville and another from Kelly extended the lead before Bredagh replies from Matthew Hamilton and Lyttle. Sean McCarthy and Fahy swapped scores before Rioghan Meehan who was having a superb second half scored a brilliant individual goal for Clann Eireann dancing past several Bredagh defenders. A point from Meehan and one in reply from Lyttle rounded out the game and Clann Eireann’s manager Mairtin McConville stated that there would be much more to come from the Armagh boys “We didn’t perform in the first half and missed a lot of chances, but the players spoke among themselves at half time and really upped their performance in the second half which we were very pleased with. Our tackling, decision making and shooting improved immensely and we are really looking forward to the semi final now”.
Teams – Clann Eireann: Chris McAlinden, Thomas French, Adam O’Connor, Rory Shine, Jack Conlon (0-2), Jack Haddock, Callum Magee, Conor Turbitt, Sean McCarthy (0-1), Rioghan Meehan (1-3, 1f), Tiernan Kelly (0-3), Ethan Kearney (0-1), Ruairi McConville (0-1), Aodhan McConville (1-2) and Ryan Lewsley (0-1). Subs Oscar McKeagney for S McCarthy
Bredagh: Liam Francis, Cillian Durkan, Ruairi Green, Matthew McKeogh, Michael Napier, Jake Carln, Matthew McAreavey, Matthew Hamilton (0-1), Cormac O’Rawe, Ronan Costello, Liam O’Keefe, Jospeh Blayney, Eamon Carville, Shaun Lyttle (0-4, 3f) and Lorcan Fahy (0-3, 3f). Subs Joseph McKee for M Napier, Tim Cunningham for R Green, Niall McFarland for L O’Keefe, Tiarnan Quinn for R Costello and Odhran Davis for C Durkan
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