Clan na Gael Avoid Relegation As Plunketts Suffer Junior Drop
CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship Relegation Playoff Final
At Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver
Clan na Gael 2-13 Oliver Plunketts 2-8
Clan na Gael secured their Intermediate Championship status for 2027 with a hard-fought five-point victory over Oliver Plunketts at the Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre in Darver, condemning the Drogheda side to an immediate return to the Junior grade.
One of the county’s most historic clubs, Clan na Gael headed into the relegation decider following a recent parting of ways with manager Stefan White and coach Glenn O’Reilly. Former players Shane Carroll, Drew Duffy and Conor McKeever stepped into the breach, and the change had the desired effect as the Dundalk side delivered when it mattered most.
Clan na Gael made a bright start, with Liam O’Hanlon converting two early frees before Robbie Curran added a point. Oliver Plunketts responded through Luke Carley, but Jason Cullen extended the Dundalk men’s advantage as they settled into the contest.
The Drogheda side then found their scoring touch, with Adam Lambe raising their first green flag in the 18th minute before Adam Smith converted a free to put them in front.
Craig Long replied for Clan na Gael before Cullen struck a crucial goal in the 24th minute to swing the momentum back in their favour. Smith kept Plunketts in touch with another free, and Lambe grabbed his second goal of the half in the 29th minute to restore the Drogheda side’s lead.
However, Clan na Gael had the final say before the break, with Billy Smith finding the net to give his side a two-point advantage at the interval.
Half-time: Clan na Gael 2-5 Oliver Plunketts 2-3.
Clan na Gael began the second half with real purpose. O’Hanlon converted another free before Curran produced an excellent two-pointer to stretch the lead to five.
Adam Smith kept Plunketts ticking over from placed balls, but Cullen continued to prove a major threat, adding two important points as Clan na Gael began to tighten their grip on the contest.
With the game entering its closing stages, Cullen registered again before O’Hanlon landed a superb two-point free in the 55th minute, opening up a seven-point cushion at 2-13 to 2-6.
Oliver Plunketts continued to battle, with Smith adding a late free and another point, but the deficit proved too much to overcome as Clan na Gael comfortably managed the closing minutes.
Full-time: Clan na Gael 2-13 Oliver Plunketts 2-8.
The victory ensures Clan na Gael will remain in the Intermediate grade for 2027, while Oliver Plunketts’ stay at this level ends after just one season.
Man of the Match – Jason Cullen (Clan na Gael)
Cullen was instrumental in Clan na Gael’s survival, scoring 1-4 and delivering crucial scores throughout the contest. His goal helped swing the momentum in the first half, while his second-half contribution ensured the Dundalk side maintained control when it mattered most.
Clan na Gael team: Sean Smyth; Tiarnan Weldon, Gerard Curran, Lee O’Carroll; Michael O’Donnell, Conall McKeever, Jack Callan; Robbie Curran (0-3, 1tp), Conor Noonan; Gavin Gaffey, Jason Cullen (1-4), Craig Long (0-1); Sean O’Hanlon, Billy Smith (1-0), Liam O’Hanlon (0-5, 1tpf & 3f).
Subs: Stephen Coleman for Craig Long, Michael Doyle for Gavin Gaffey, Kevin Carroll for Tiarnan Weldon, Mark Newell for Michael McDonnell, Mark McKeown for Billy Smith.
Oliver Plunketts team: Daire Moore; Ricky Bateson, David McTaggart, Gary Keogh; Barry Reynolds, Shaun Smith, Adam O’Connor; Robert Brodigan, Luke Carley (0-1); Niall Murtagh, Adam Smith (0-7, 6f), Jack Taaffe; Killian Nolan, Stephen Keeley, Adam Lambe (2-0).
Subs: Cillian Matthews for Ricky Bateson, Ben Boyce for Jack Taaffe, Jack Boyce for Niall Murtagh, Adam Brodigan for Shaun Smith, Cian Matthews for Gary Keogh.
Referee – Colm Keenan (Cooley Kickhams)
