Clann v St. Faithleach's

CLANN NA NGAEL 1-22 ST. FAITHLEACH’S 3-17 AET

CLANN came back from the dead to force extra-time, but it was not enough to kill off St. Faithleach’s in Saturday’s epic Roscommon SFC quarter-final in Kiltoom. 

In one of the games of the championship, Pat Fallon’s men trailed by five heading into injury time before points from Ciarán Lennon, Fearghus Lennon and Paddy Gavin’s last-gasp goal forced extra-time. 

Clann’s defenders produced the goods at both ends as Tom Lennon and Cathal Duignan starred with 0-3 each from play and David Connaghton fired a vital second half score, as Gavin’s dramatic goal at the death forced overtime. 

But Diarmuid Murtagh was the difference - and racked up 1-7 to prove why he was nominated for an All-Star last week. His stunning goal 0-3 in the second half of extra time was enough for Faithleach’s to advance to the last four. 

After a slow start, Clann hit 0-6 in a row to go 0-6 to 0-2 in front. Tom Lennon got his first early doors as Ultan Harney, David McManus, Josh Lennon and Alan McManus followed suit. 

David McManus had to go off with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Oisín O’Flaherty, as Ciaráin Murtagh hit the net for Faithleach’s to put them 1-4 to 0-6 ahead. Clann trailed 1-5 to 0-7 at the break after Ciarán Lennon’s free, before a mesmerising evening of football unfolded. 

A wonderful second half saw Emmet Kenny and Tom Lennon point for Clann after brilliant team moves. Tom Lennon spearheaded the next attack for Duignan to blast over his first to make it 0-10 to 1-6. Roscommon team-mates Ciarán Lennon and Diarmuid Murtagh swapped scores as the game hit top gear and Duignan curled over his second. 

Paddy Gavin was introduced to give Clann extra bite before Emmet Kenny bagged his second off the right, but Faithleach’s fired their second goal through Jonathan Hussey. Ciarán Lennon and David Connaghton kept Clann in touch before disaster struck once more, when Diarmuid Murtagh scored one of the goals of the season. The Rossie hitman took off on a breathtaking solo run and left the Clann defence in his wake to lash home and make it 3-11 to 0-15. 

But at five behind, Clann never gave in. Ciarán Lennon sparked the revival in the 62nd minute with a fisted score before Fearghs Lennon swiftly added another. With seconds to go, only a goal would do - and it came when a lofted ball inside fell to Gavin to hammer home with the last kick of the game to force extra-time. 

Another gripping 20 minutes of overtime followed, but Clann spurned chances to win it as Oisín O’Flaherty and Oisín Lennon were unlucky not to hit the net early on. Diarmuid Murtagh and Paddy Gavin pointed at each end before Ultan Harney and Séa Henry squared the game again at half time, 1-20 to 3-14. 

But Faithleach’s won the final 10 minutes 0-3 to 0-2, with Diarmuid Murtagh scoring all three as Duignan and Tom Lennon points were not enough to save Clann’s championship. 

Clann na nGael: Sean Kelly; Tom Lennon, David Connaughton, Shane Pettit; Shane Gavin, Dylan Sumner, Cathal Duighan; Josh Lennon, Alan McManus, Paul McManus, David McManus, Emmet Kenny; Fearghus Lennon, Ciarán Lennon, Ultan Harney. 

Scorers for Clann: Paddy Gavin 1-1; Ciarán Lennon 0-4, Tom Lennon and Cathal Duignan 0-3 each; Josh Lennon, Ultan Harney and Emmet Kenny 0-2 each; Fearghus Lennon, David McManus, Séa Henry, David Connaughton and Alan McManus 0-1 each 

Subs: Oisín O’Flaherty for David McManus 25mins; Oisín Lennon for Alan McManus HT, Paddy Gavin for Shane Gavin 47, Séa Henry for Paul McManus (blood) 50, Ian Harney for Emmet Kenny 61, Séa Henry for Paul McManus 61

REFEREE: Dermot Jnr Lyons (Castlerea) 
REPORT: Jason Byrne