Clane GAA U16 footballers played Athy in the KWETB U16 Football League Division 1 final in St Conleths Park, Newbridge on Saturday, May 4th.
While Clane entered the final unbeaten in the league, the last time these two teams faced each other in a decider the honours went to Athy. The two teams also faced each other in the opening round of the league with Clane winning by 7 points, however both teams were missing key players on the day.
The opening exchanges of the game were very scrappy with both teams appearing nervous as players adjusted to the match ups and a swirling wind which didn't seem to favour either side. Clane kicked the first point of the game and Athy responded with a point of their own and were unlucky not to raise a couple of green flags. They had two very good goal chances; the first rebounded off the woodwork and a short time later the Clane goalkeeper made a fine save directing a shot past the post.
The only goal of the game came when the Clane forwards worked the ball well through the hands and the move ended up with the ball in the back of the Athy net. Half time score saw Clane lead by 1-06 to 0-07.
Athy got the opening score of the second half closing the gap to the bare minimum. However, the Clane defence were not as generous in the second half, defending ferociously and driving forward at every opportunity. The pressure told and Clane dominated the last twenty minutes of the game. With our forwards now finding more space and no less than seven different scorers kicking some magnificent points the game finished Clane 1-17 to 0-11 Athy.
Please click here to visit our web site to view more photos from the final.
Back (L-R): Rossa Hallissey, Ryan O'Connell, Darren Ward, Isaac Jamirah, Ethan Farrell, Jamie Merriman, Padraic O'Doherty, Sean Malone, Adam Fanning, Stephen Brereton, Dean Comiskey, Jake Burke, Sean Sheridan, Daire O'Doherty, Senan Byrne
Front (L-R): Tom Malone, Mark Gibbons, Luke Kelly, Adam Farrell, Harry O'Neill (c), Oisín O'Sullivan, Oisín Tighe, Hugh Prendergast
Management Team: Tony Tighe, Ger Fanning, John O'Doherty and John Ball.
Congratulations to the team and management.
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