Men's League - Strokestown

CLANN NA nGAEL 2-14 3-16 STROKESTOWN
Report by Jason Byrne

GOALS were the difference as Strokestown prevailed against Clann na nGael in round 2 of the O’Rourke Cup on Friday night. 0-7 from Josh Lennon and goals in each half from Dylan Sumner and Kieran Connaughton were not enough to prevent defeat from the impressive visitors in Johnstown - as green flags from Evan Moran, Cian Corcoran and Kevin Finn proved the difference. 

Clann burst out from the blocks in a cracking first half as Sea Henry fired over two beauties, but had to go off injured just 10 minutes in and was replaced by Gavin McManus. Strokestown surged 1-5 to 0-3 ahead thanks to Moran’s goal as Fearghus Lennon was tried out between the sticks for Clann, but there was nothing he could do about the strike. Shane McGinley’s two-point free extended Strokestown’s lead and they romped nine in front when Corcoran made it 2-8 to 0-5. Left with a mountain to climb, Clann responded brilliantly to surge right back into the game - and fired 0-7 on the trot inside five minutes. 

Josh Lennon got the ball rolling with a super kick from outside the arc, before Sumner’s super goal cut the gap to four. It was Josh who delivered the goods again from a free and a cracker from play to close out Clann’s scoring spree. But McGinley's two-point free on the whistle saw Strokestown lead 2-10 to 1-9 after a super first half. 

Josh Lennon swiftly took his tally to 0-7 after the break as Graham Pettit and Emmet Kenny got Clann back within one with 20 minutes to go with hard-fought scores. But the black and amber found another gear to take control from here. Kevin Finn squeezed home their third goal and Corcoran’s free opened up a six-point gap just when Clann had all the momentum. Kieran Connaughton bagged a late goal for Clann, but it was too little too late as Finn’s free on the whistle sealed it for Strokestown to make it two wins from two for them. 

Our senior men’s team sponsored by Matrix Bathrooms and Heating are in round 3 action away to St. Dominic’s on Saturday, March 29th at 5pm in Knockroghery. 

CLANN: Fearghus Lennon; Shane Gavin, Fergal Lennon, Shane Pettit; Oisín Lennon, Michael Harrington, David Connaughton; Dylan Sumner 1-0, Kieran Connaughton 1-1; Emmet Kenny 0-1, Cian McManus, Oisín O’Flaherty; Josh Lennon 0-7, 2 frees, 1 two-pointer, Graham Pettit 0-1, Sea Henry 0-1. Subs: Gavin McManus 0-2, 1 free for S Henry 10mins; Eanna Henry for Kenny 49, Ian Harney for Harrington 56. 

REFEREE: Mark Grehan (St. Brigid’s)