Missed chances cost Clans place in semi-finals

Clan na Gael 0-09

Forkhill 1-12

Clan na Gael bowed out of the Intermediate Championship last Sunday at Ballycrummy where they lost by a six points margin against a well organised Forkhill side.

The blues were forced to chase the game from the first minute following a well taken goal from Forkhill full forward Kieran Smyth who found the net after just 25 seconds.

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Although it was the South Armagh side who looked to be the more likely winners throughout, the Clans, who had galvanised after their early setback and despite being 1-03 to 0-01 down after 10 minutes, rallied to go in at the break just two behind.

The Francis Street men will no doubt calculate their wides tally particularly from set pieces and a glaring missed goal opportunity from Stefan Campbell which grazed the foot of the post eight minutes after the break and at a time when his side were just three points in arrears. Campbell, who has had an outstanding year with the County side and has been the catalyst of his club performances in recent weeks, looked a little off colour having missed his sides win over St. Peter’s. The striker squandered a number of set piece chances over the course of the hour.

The Clans who were attempting to pull back a deficit from the first minute had a purple patch in the third quarter, points from Campbell and three on the trot from Hendron gave the blues hope for the second period.

After the break however it was the South Armagh men who took the initiative holding the Clans to a single score and watching as their opponents kicked them selves out of contention.

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Ronan Austin and Chris Taylor had good spells around the middle for the Clans, but the early goal from Forkhill coupled with several missed opportunities scuppered the Clans chances of reaching the semi-final.