St Brides Storm To Five-Goal Victory Over Clan na Gael

CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship Group 3 Round 2

At Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

St Brides 5-10 Clan na Gael 0-11

St Brides continued their strong form to blitz Clan na Gael on Saturday evening and win Group 3 of the CTI Business Solutions IFC at Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver.

St Brides started brightly, with Sean Marry opening the scoring inside the first minute. Clan na Gael responded from a Liam O’Hanlon free in the fifth minute, but the visitors had already shown their attacking threat, with Billy Smith and Robbie Curran both seeing good goal chances go astray.

Kieran McArdle, St Brides beats Michael McDonnell, Clan na Gael in an aerial dual

St Brides began to take control, with Andrew Smyth and Donal McArdle adding points either side of a superb two-point free from Kieran McArdle. Senan Hoey then extended their lead before O’Hanlon replied from another free.

The game then swung decisively in St Brides’ favour. Ruairí Carpenter found the net in the 16th minute before Kieran McArdle added a second goal just a minute later. Hoey followed with another major, giving St Brides three goals in the space of three minutes.

Clan na Gael continued to battle, with O’Hanlon and Conall McKeever keeping the scoreboard moving, but St Brides remained firmly in control. Marry added two further points before the break, including a free, as St Brides went into half-time leading 3-8 to 0-6.

Kieran McArdle, St Brides on the run

The second half followed a similar pattern, with St Brides maintaining their authority. Donal McArdle and Kieran McArdle added early points before Donal McArdle struck for his second goal in the 41st minute.

Clan na Gael managed scores through Jason Cullen, Billy Smith and Gavin Gaffey, with Gaffey registering a two-point score, but St Brides continued to punish gaps in the defence.

Kieran McArdle completed his impressive personal contribution with another goal in the 50th minute, while Sean O’Hanlon added a late point for Clan na Gael.

St Brides saw out the remainder comfortably to complete a convincing 5-10 to 0-11 victory.

Man of the Match – Donal McArdle (St Brides)

St Brides team: Aaron Devin; Steven Hoey, Cillian Kirk, Robert McCaughey; Ruairí Carpenter (1-0), Bernard Laverty, Ross Murnaghan; Paddy Reilly, James Costelloe; Donal McArdle (1-2), Andrew Smyth (0-1), Morgan Tobin; Kieran McArdle (2-3, 1tpf, 1f), Sean Marry (0-3, 1f), Senan Hoey (1-1).

Subs: Padraic Mackin for Steven Hoey half-time, Neil Thornton for Ruairí Carpenter 43 mins, Nathan Kirk for Senan Hoey 43 mins, Kevin Slowey for James Costelloe 53 mins, Kevin Hearty for Andrew Smyth 53 mins.

Clan na Gael team: Sean Smyth; Lee O’Carroll, Gerard Curran, Kevin Carroll; Conall McKeever (0-1), Michael McDonnell, Jack Callan; Robbie Curan, Stephen Coleman; Gavin Gaffey (0-2, 1tp), Jason Cullen (0-1), Liam O’Hanlon (0-4, 4f); Sean O’Hanlon (0-1), Billy Smith (0-2), Shane Carroll.

Subs: Tiarnan Weldon for Kevin Caroll 40 mins, Craig Long for Stephen Coleman 40 mins, Mark McKeown for Jason Cullen 49 mins.

Referee: Craig Kirwan (Wolfe Tones)

Photos: Ciaran Culligan

Conor Noonan, Clan na Gael in action on Saturday evening