Football

Clann Éireann too strong for Bredagh in Paul McGirr game

Clann &Eacute;ireann's Rioghan Meehan scores his side's second goal against Bredagh in the Paul McGirr U16 tournament <br />Picture by Martin McGlone
Clann Éireann's Rioghan Meehan scores his side's second goal against Bredagh in the Paul McGirr U16 tournament
Picture by Martin McGlone
Clann Éireann's Rioghan Meehan scores his side's second goal against Bredagh in the Paul McGirr U16 tournament
Picture by Martin McGlone

ARMAGH champs Clann Éireann produced the performance of the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions tournament so far to easily dispose of a Bredagh team who had high hopes, having defeated holders Burren in the Down championship.

The Lurgan lads won by 2-14 to 0-8, having taken the early initiative in a wind-assisted first-half with points from Ryan Lewsley, wing-back Jack Conlon and two from Rioghan Meehan. A wonder save from Bredagh's Liam Francis denied the raiding Conlon a goal and several other goal chances were squandered as the Bredagh defence were constantly under pressure.

Full-forward Shaun Lyttle registered Bredagh's first score with a superb 40-yard free into the face of the gale-force wind, but two further points from the impressive Tiernán Kelly and Aodhán McConville extended the Clanns' advantage, with the pace and ball-winning ability from man of the match McConville throughout the game a constant threat to the Bredagh back-line.

Bredagh finally awakened from their slumber, with the towering Cormac O'Rawe, Jake Carlin and the hard-working Ronan Costello beginning to have a bigger influence on the game and two converted frees from Lyttle and Lorcán Fahy gave them hope going into the break 0-7 to 0-3 behind.

The wind, which was having a telling factor, should have given the Down men great hope going into the second-half and another Fahy free reduced the deficit. However, at this stage, Clann Éireann really upped their game and showed incredible pace and passing ability, combined with efficiency in front of goal to totally control the remainder of the game.

Kelly set the tone with a great score from a tight angle and a driving run from him teed up Aodhán McConville for the first goal of the game. Points from both McConvilles, Conlon and another from Kelly extended the lead, before Bredagh replies from Matthew Hamilton and Lyttle.

Seán McCarthy and Fahy swapped scores before Meehan, who was having a superb second-half, scored a brilliant individual goal for Clann Éireann, dancing past several defenders. A point from Meehan and one in reply from Lyttle rounded off the game.

Clann Éireann manager Mairtín McConville said there would be much more to come from the Armagh boys: "We didn't perform in the first-half and missed a lot of chances, but the players spoke among themselves at half-time and really upped their performance in the second-half, which we were very pleased with.

"Our tackling, decision-making and shooting improved immensely and we are really looking forward to the semi-final now".

MATCH STATS


Clann Éireann: C McAlinden; T French, A O'Connor, R Shine; J Conlon (0-2), J Haddock, C Magee; C Turbitt, S McCarthy (0-1); R Meehan (1-3, 0-1 free), T Kelly (0-3), E Kearney (0-1); R McConville (0-1), A McConville (1-2), R Lewsley (0-1); Sub: O McKeagney for S McCarthy.


Bredagh: L Francis; C Durkan, R Green, M McKeogh; M Napier, J Carlin, M McAreavey; M Hamilton (0-1), C O'Rawe; R Costello, L O'Keefe, J Blayney; E Carville, S Lyttle (0-4, 0-3 frees), L Fahy (0-3 frees); Subs: J McKee for Napier; T Cunningham for Green; N McFarland for O'Keefe; T Quinn for Costello; O Davis for Durkan.