Glen Emmets Dig Deep to Ensure Intermediate Survival over Clan na Gael

CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship

Relegation Playoff Semi-Final | At The Grove, Castlebellingham

Glen Emmets 0-18 Clan na Gael 1-14

Glen Emmets secured their Intermediate Championship status for another season after edging out Clan na Gael in a tense and closely fought contest at The Grove on Saturday afternoon.

The Tullyallen side had to withstand a determined second-half fightback from the Dundalk men, with late scores from Keefer Carolan and Lorcan Lynch ultimately proving decisive in a dramatic finish.

Clan na Gael will feel they did enough to take something from the game, having pushed the Tullyallen side right to the wire. Their championship campaign is not quite over, however, as they will now face either Oliver Plunketts or Sean O’Mahonys in the relegation play-off final.

It was the Clans who made the brighter start, with Liam O’Hanlon opening the scoring. Emmets responded strongly, though, as Cian Talbot Gaynor got them off the mark before Carolan and Lynch added two points apiece to put the Kevin Barry’s men 0-5 to 0-1 ahead after 12 minutes.

The Dundalk side struggled to find their rhythm during that opening spell but gradually worked their way back into contention. Two two-pointers from the lively Liam O’Hanlon, along with scores from Billy Smith and Sean O’Hanlon, brought the Clans level at eight points apiece.

With both defences beginning to gain the upper hand, the scoring slowed considerably during the closing stages of the half. Carolan eventually broke the deadlock again, sending Emmets into the interval with a slender 0-9 to 0-8 advantage.

Half Time – Glen Emmets 0-9 Clan na Gael 0-8

Clan na Gael came out with renewed purpose after the restart and moved back in front through scores from O’Hanlon and Smith.

Emmets responded in impressive fashion, however, with an Ian O’Reilly two-pointer from the deck followed by three consecutive points from Kealan O’Neill putting the Tullyallen side back in control.

The Clans refused to let the game slip away and were rewarded when Conall McKeever found the net to bring the sides level at 0-16 to 1-13 with just two minutes remaining.

The closing stages produced plenty of drama. Carolan restored Emmets’ lead, only for Robbie Curran to level matters once again with the game heading into its final minute.

With everything still to play for, Glen Emmets showed their composure when it mattered most. Lynch stepped up in the dying moments to land the decisive score and seal a hard-earned victory for the Tullyallen men.

It was a finish that summed up a fiercely contested afternoon, with Glen Emmets ultimately doing just enough to secure their Intermediate Championship survival.

Full Time – Glen Emmets 0-18 Clan na Gael 1-14

Glen Emmets team: Ian O’Reilly (0-3); Brian Maguire, Keith Boylan, Robbie Byrne; Emmet Delaney, Calum Wogan, Cathal Maguire; Keefer Carolan (0-4), Cian Talbot Gaynor (0-2); Conor Wogan, Kealan O’Neill (0-5), Lorcan Lynch (0-2); Darragh Russell (0-2), Ronan Carr, Diarmuid Cullen.

Sub: Eoghan Maguire for Robbie Byrne.

Clan na Gael team: Sean Smyth; Michael McDonnell, Lee O’Carroll, Kevin Carroll; Conall McKeever (1-0), Conor Noonan, Jack Callan; Gerard Curran, Stephen Coleman; Gavin Gaffey, Jason Cullen (0-1), Liam O’Hanlon (0-8); Sean O’Hanlon (0-2), Billy Smith (0-2), Robbie Curran (0-1).

Referee – Craig Kirwan (Wolfe Tones)

Photos – Ciaran Culligan