Clans bow out

ONE time championship specialists Clan na Gael have bowed out of the competition.

They were beaten for the second year in succession by Ballymacnab.

The Lurgan side got off to a dream start following a goal on three minutes from Marty Lavery which was supplemented by further points from Stephan Campbell.

But it was the ‘Nab who finished the half the stronger with scores from Gribben and Ruarai Grugan to leave the mid Armagh side two up at the break.

A goal from Sean Mackle straight after the restart put the Blues a point in front but it was Ballymacnab who finished stronger with a James Gray goal and a series of points before the end.

Recently the Clans have been holding their own with most teams but have been struggling to finish strongly in games.

The Francis Street side are currently facing a relegation battle and, should they go down and face sustained period in the second division, it would signal automatic inclusion in the Intermediate Championship.

The Clans last won a Senior Championship title back in 1994 which was their second win in the series in as many years and, in the early nineties, they won a hat-trick of minor all-county titles.