Clans crash out of Championship

CLAN NA GAEL 0-8

FORMER Armagh and Ulster kingpins Clan na Gael bowed out of the Senior Championship last Sunday at Abbey Park where they were comfortably beaten by Cullyhanna.

The Lurgan side got off to a good start and looked capable of causing an upset but, as the game wore on, the physically stronger South Armagh team took control.

The Clans looked sharp inside the first ten minutes and were leading 0-3 to 0-2 with points from Lawrence McGuinness, Stephan Campbell and Sean Mackle.

The Lurgan side attempted to take control of the game with a surging run from Mel Patterson but a double save from the Cullyhanna keeper, who thwarted both Campbell and Mackle, gave the winners the momentum which they held until the final whistle.

The Blues failed to register a score in a first half period between the 11th and 33rd minutes in which St Pat’s looked dangerous, mainly due to the threat of Eugene Casey and Malachy Mackin, who operated at full-forward.

Young Liam McGuigan was given the task of marking Robbie Tasker who hit just a single point and was substituted at the start of the second half.

In the third quarter three Stephan Campbell points brought the deficit back to four but the much needed goal never materialised. As the Clans pushed forward, a Liam O’Hare three-pointer effectively killed the game ten minutes before the end.

Michael O’Hagan was one of the best for the Blues on the day, putting in huge work. He hit a great point in the second half but without the services of Chris Taylor and Steven O’Hagan, and with Ronan Austin still needing more game time following an injury, the Blues travelled to Armagh City more in hope than in expectation.

The Clans did create opportunities during the game but, unfortunately, did not capitalise at crucial times. Overall, it was the physicality and firepower of the winners which saw them through.

Still a very young side, the Clans can improve but would need to re-invent the ring-craft they had during the Barry O’Hagan era. Something easier said than done.