Men's Junior A Semi-Final

Roscommon Gaels B 1-04 1-07 Clann na nGael B
Report by Jason Byrne.

Our Seery's Bar sponsored Men's second team edged into the Junior A final thanks to a gruelling three point win over Roscommon Gaels B in Ballyforan on Saturday night. Cathal Shine’s first half goal and 0-3 each from Tomas O’Neill and Gavin McManus were vital as Niall Lennon’s men advanced to Saturday’s showpiece against St. Barry’s. 

The opening half in Ballyforan was a dogfight, and it took 10 minutes for the opening score when Tomas O’Neill split the posts. Cathal Shine was looking dangerous on the edge of the square and after two warning shots that went wide, he punished Roscommon Gaels with the super goal. Mossy's pass split the Gaels defence, and Shine raced towards goal to produce a cracking finish to steer Clann four in front. 

A spell of Gaels pressure followed to no avail as they kicked three wides and had a shot drop short. They finally got off the mark when Chris Dineen kicked two frees, before Clann responded with a super Gavin McManus score to make it 1-2 to 0-2 at half time. 

Clann got a dream start to the second half when Gavin McManus scored two more crackers in the space of a minute to keep Niall Lennon’s side in the driving seat. But it was game on again when Fionn Hoare’s palmed goal on 37 minutes brought Roscommon Gaels right back into the game. They were back within a point when Aaron Shannon’s ‘45 was deflected over the bar despite Clann attempts to keep it out. 

Mossy bagged Clann’s first score in almost 20 minutes to ease the pressure before the Gaels hit back once more through Liam Naughton’s free. But a late rally saw Cian McManus curl over when Graham Pettit’s 45 dropped short, before Mossy fired over his third of the game to make it 1-7 to 1-4. 

As the Gaels pressed for a goal that never came, Shine rose highest to fetch the final ball as Clann advanced to the showpiece, which will take place in Dr. Hyde Park next Saturday against St. Barry's.

A minutes silence was observed before the match in memory of John Naughten RIP.

Clann: Declan McManus; Cian Gavin, Darragh Egan, Oisin Rock; Rory Colgan, Evan Quinn, Luke Gavin; Graham Pettit, Sean Fallon; Jason Mulvey, Cian McManus 0-1, Gavin McManus 0-3; Cathal Shine 1-0, Tomas O’Neill 0-3, Rian McNamara. Subs: Ronan Gavin for Luke Gavin 45mins, Cian Fallon for Rian McNamara 53, Conor Sheehan for Sean Fallon 55.

REFEREE: Mark Grehan (St. Brigid's)