Geraldines edge Clan na Gael to secure quarter-final place
CTI Business Solutions IFC Group 3 Round 3
At Fr. McEvoy Park, Cooley
Geraldines 1-15 Clan na Gael 0-16
Geraldines booked their place in the CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship quarter-finals after edging past Clan na Gael by 1-15 to 0-16 in a tense encounter at Fr. McEvoy Park, Cooley on Saturday evening.
With both sides having suffered heavy defeats to St Brides, there was plenty at stake, particularly for Geraldines, who were relegated from the senior grade last year and were determined to avoid another relegation playoff.
Clan na Gael made the sharper start, with Liam O’Hanlon and Robbie Curran putting early scores on the board before Darragh Burke replied for the Geraldines.
The game quickly settled into an entertaining shootout. Gavin Gaffey and O’Hanlon added for Clan na Gael, the latter landing a two-pointer, while Beanon Corrigan and Michael Rogers responded in kind for Geraldines to leave the sides level at 0-5 apiece after 15 minutes.
Sean O’Hanlon (Clan na Gael) and Tiarnan Hand (Geraldines) compete for the ball
Thomas McNamara and Cian Spaight edged Geraldines back in front, but Clan na Gael finished the half strongly. O’Hanlon continued to cause problems from placed balls, while Billy Smith and Sean O’Hanlon also found the target as the Dundalk side took a 0-9 to 0-7 lead into the interval.
Half Time – Geraldines 0-7 Clan na Gael 0-9
Geraldines needed a response and produced it immediately after the restart.
After Billy Smith and Cian Spaight exchanged scores, Jim McEneaney levelled from a free before Spaight delivered the game’s decisive moment, finding the back of the net to put the Haggardstown side 1-9 to 0-10 ahead.
Clan na Gael refused to let them pull clear, with O’Hanlon remaining composed from frees as the scores continued to come at either end.
The tension increased further with 10 minutes remaining when Geraldines were reduced to 14 men following Jamie Callan’s red card.
Clan na Gael took full advantage as O’Hanlon converted the resulting free to level the contest at 1-11 to 0-14.
Conall McKeever (Clan na Gael) on the attack
Jason Cullen and Billy Smith pushed the Dundalk men clear and with a man up – in the driving seat to cause an upset.
However, when Geraldines needed someone to steady the ship, their most experienced campaigner Jim McEneaney stepped forward and showed the reason he is still their star man.
The veteran landed a point from play before adding three frees in the closing stages, showcasing his composure under pressure and guiding Geraldines over the line.
Full Time – Geraldines 1-15 Clan na Gael 0-16
1st – St Brides, 2nd – Geraldines, 3rd – Clan Na Gael
Man of the Match – Jim McEneaney (Geraldines)
Geraldines team: Cian O’Donoghue; Tiarnan Hand, Darragh O’Gradaigh, Jack Traynor; Jamie Callan, Gareth Neacy, Thomas McNamara (0-1); Beanon Corrigan (0-2, 1tp), Brian Cafferty; Michael Rogers (0-2, 1tpf), Cian Spaight (1-3), Darragh Burke (0-1); Daniel Nordon, Jim McEneaney (0-6, 5f), David O’Connell.
Subs: Josh Arrowsmith for David O’Connell 26 mins, Niall Brennan for Daniel Nordon 43 mins, Noah Luaki for Michael Rogers 52 mins, James Craven for Thomas McNamara 52 mins.
Clan na Gael team: Sean Smyth; Michael McDonnell, Lee O’Carroll, Kevin Carroll; Gerard Curran, Conor Noonan, Jack Callan; Conall McKeever, Stephen Coleman; Robbie Curran (0-1, 1’45’), Jason Cullen (0-1), Gavin Gaffey (0-1); Liam O’Hanlon (0-8, 5f), Billy Smith (0-3), Sean O’Hanlon (0-2).
Subs: Mark McKeown for Gavin Gaffey 58 mins.
Referee – Damien Connor (St Patricks)
Photos – Ciaran Culligan
Liam O’Hanlon (Clan na Gael) evades the challenge of Jamie Callan (Geraldines)
