SENIOR UPDATE: Clann na nGael 2-14 Boyle 4-13
Goals punished Clann na nGael, seeing them exit the championship in the group stages. The final round of the Senior Championship for Supermac’s/Matrix Bathrooms sponsored Men’s team was played in a perfectly presented St Croans pitch on Saturday evening.
Clann were first to get the scoreboard moving but they really failed to ignite after that. Boyle were doing all the running and causing problems for the Clann defence. Boyle were the team running off the shoulder and Clann were struggling to cope. The score at half time was Clann 0-07 Boyle 1-09. Enda Smyth was in fine form causing all sorts of problems running and fielding high ball that Clann could not cope with.
Clann looked like getting a grip on the game bringing it back to one point lead but Boyle pushed on and never looked like been beaten playing the better football and running in three goals in the second half. While Clann finished with 2-14 which would win most games the Boyle goal tally was too much.
Clann were very disappointing exiting the championship before the business end gets underway. There will be better days ahead with this young bunch of players who face Padraig Pearses in the final round of the O’Rourke Cup next weekend.
U.16 UPDATE: Clann na nGael 2-4 St. Brigids 2-10
Clann and their neighbours, St. Brigids, clashed in the final round of the group stages of the U-16 championship in Johnstown last Sunday morning. Both teams knew that a victory would ensure a place in the County U-16 Final.
The lads from Kiltoom / Cam / Curraghboy deserved their win as they dominated proceedings for most of the game except for a 10 minute period in the middle of the first half.
Clann never stopped trying but they know that they will have to up their performance if they are to defeat either Oran or Strokestown in the U-16 semi-final which is scheduled for the weekend of the 10/11 September. The semi-final will be in Johnstown.
U.12 UPDATE
Clann’s Div.1 team ventured into the knock out stages of the Summer League in a rather complex arrangement. As three teams finished on top of the table, it resulted in a play off match between ourselves and Roscommon Gaels, with the winners getting through to the final and the losers playing a semi final away to Boyle on Saturday 3rd.
With that in mind, Clann set out for their trip to Lisnamult. If truth be told, Clann never got up to the standards that they can reach and couldn’t convert many of their chances to scores and Roscommon Gaels ran out deserving winners in a low scoring contest 2-6 to 0-5.
Plenty of endeavour and effort but it just didn’t run for them on the day. The Summer league is far from over and the Clann boys have another shot at getting to the final with a trip to Boyle. In the meantime, the lads are off to play in a high quality tournament in Mullingar to face a further stern test. The division 4 team have an away summer League semi final next Saturday in Kilmore. The entire U.12 squad are a credit to the club and their journey and development continues.
Div.1 Squad: Darren Quinn, Ollie Hynes, Eoghan Connaughton, Diarmuid O’Brien, Éanna Henry, Eoghan Galvin, John Shine, Oisín O’Flaherty, Tomás O’Neill, Páidí O’Leochain, Charlie Kelly, Shane Galvin, Liam Ward, David Campion, Conor McManus, Ethan Hunter.
Pearses 4-6 Clann na nGael 2-15
Our u12s were involved in another great match in the last contest of the group stages on the Summer League in Woodmount on Monday night. Things did not look good at half time, with a deficit of 3 points to make up. 3 first half goals from Pearses put the pressure on our boys, but a measured performance in the second half saw them lead by 5 points in the latter stages of the game, only to concede a late goal and put the pressure back on themselves. Clann rallied with a point just before the final whistle to secure a 3 point win and finish joint top of the group on 8 points with Roscommon Gaels and Boyle. A play off will be needed to decide who gets through to the final. The squad have continued their development as footballers and the improvement is clear to see.
Squad: Darren Quinn, Eoghan Galvin, Eoghan Connaughton, Diarmuid O’Brien, Ollie Hynes, Ethan Hunter, Oisín O’Flaherty, John Shine, Tomás O’Neill, Charlie Kelly, Shane Gavin, Páidí O’Leochain, Liam Ward, David Campion, Conor McManus, Rory Colgan.
Mullingar Town Tournament
Our U.12’s finished off a very busy and tiring week on Sunday in the Mullingar Town tournament, jointly hosted by St. Loman’s Mullingar and Mullingar Shamrocks. Our players were once again a credit to the club. The finished top of their group which included Celbridge and one of the co-hosts St Lomans. They were edged out in the A semi final to a very big, strong and aggressive Moate outfit. Four good solid games for the lads will stand to them and as their coach explained, it was better than a number of training sessions. It was a very encouraging display from the players throughout the day. We are very grateful to St Lomans and Shamrocks for the invitation and their hospitality.
Squad: David Campion, Ollie Hynes, Eoghan Conaughton, Diarmuid O’Brien, Éanna Henry, Ethan Hunter, Conor McManus, Dylan Brady, Jack Macken, Oisín O’Flaherty, John Shine, Charlie Kelly, Jack Gavin, Shane Gavin, Páidí O’Leochain, Liam Ward, Rory Colgen, Cormac Westman.
U.9/U.10 BOYS
Clann U.10/U.9 boys travelled the short distance to Garrycastle on Wednesday evening to play in the Tormeys League. Clann U.10 boys played with real purpose putting in their best performance of the season so far beating Garrycastle comfortably in the end. The Clann U.9 side came up short against a very good Garrycastle side. Both clubs earned a point each, Clann U.10/U.9 are sitting top of the league with a very exciting finish anticipated.
Clann U10/U9 also squad travelled to the Connaught Center of Excellence in Mayo on Saturday to play in the county Go Games Blitz. The U10 side again played really well on the day beating Roscommon Gaels, Pearses and Boyle with some wonderful flowing football. The U9 side took to the field in determined fashion after defeat mid week and played excellent football beating Pearses and Boyle, in their third game they lost out to an older and physically stronger St Faithleachs side. Well done to all the players who took part.
LADIES UPDATES
The Sheraton hotel sponsored Clann na nGael Senior Ladies played their semi final on Saturday in perfect conditions in Pearses.
Clann went into the game as favourites which proved to be their undoing. It was a game that ebbed and flowed. Both sides being level at half time. The second half saw a few subsutitions and the Clann girls just never realised the hidden gears that we know they have. Fair play to St. Brigid’s, their hunger shone through. Clann were second to balls and made poor decisions. We wish them the best with their finals.
This is a bitter pill to swallow but have no doubt with the dept of talent that is already in Clann and the talent that is emerging, this is not the end but another step on the journey to win the Senior Ladies Championship.
Lastly we would like to thank the our sponsor The Sheraton Hotel Athlone for their continued support of the Ladies and mens board for their support. Also to the wonderful Niamh Fallon our manager and her backroom staff of Tommy, Mickey and Kathleen thanks for all the time and energy you have invested in the girls. Niamh epitomises GAA and is at the heart of the club. Hopefully she will take this loss as a challenge and be back with a new game plan.
Under 14 Girls
Our U.14 girls played away to a very strong Kilmore/Elphin team on a glorious Sunday morning. This game showed some great football by both teams. Clann na nGael came away winners on a score line of 5-23 to 2-4. The girls are out again next Friday. Time and venue to follow later.
Under 6 Girls
On Sunday morning we hosted Athlone GAA in a game of football for our U6 girls. Great fun was had by all and the girls look forward to meeting the team again shortly where Athlone have invited our girls to play in Athlone GAA.
Date for diary
The Ladies board will have a cake sale on Sunday 11th September from 11.30am to 12.30am in the clubhouse. There will also be some used but good condition football boots for sale on the morning.
Our Minor Ladies will play Boyle in the championship semi final on Saturday 3rd September at 6pm. Best of luck to all involved.
Let’s go with Clann
Draw results held Sunday night in the Grove.
July Draw:
€500 – Brenda Walsh
Athlone Springs Voucher – Tara Henry
August Draw:
€500 – Jarlath Nolan
All Ireland Hurling Tickets – Dermot Rock
Many thanks for your support.
Clann na nGael Lotto
The draw took place in the Grove on Sunday 28th of August with a jackpot of €6,600. The numbers drawn were 6, 8, 12, 22.
No winner, Match 3 Winners win €100:
Winner (Seller)
Anne O’Brien (Kieran Gavin)
Mary Keena McGrath (Mary Keena McGrath)
Next week’s jackpot is €6,800 and the draw will be in Shines.
Thanks to everyone who supports the Clann na nGael Lotto every week.
Clann na nGael Shop now online
Our Shop is now online with a wide range of O’Neills gear to purchase. The shop can be accessed via ClannGAA.ie or directly by visiting tiny.cc/ClannShop
Clann na nGael Online
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