Clann na nGael Notes

U-12 trip to Croke Park
On Thursday morning last, 32 Clann na nGael players made the trip to Croke Park. The lads had the opportunity to to play on the hallowed turf of Páirc an Chrócaigh, playing against Kilglass Gaels, St. Michaels, Melvin Gaels and Bornacoola. The lads were very well looked after on the day by the GAA staff in Croke Park, which included a tour of the GAA Museum. The team management and players would like to thank all those who made the day possible especially those who provided the refreshments on the day.

Club Notes
Those wishing to have reports included in the club notes are asked send them by email to clann_pro@yahoo.com by 8pm on Saturday evenings.

U-21 All-Ireland Semi-Final
Clann na nGael would like to wish the Roscommon under 21 team the best of luck in the All-Ireland semi final against Dublin this coming weekend. Clann are represented by Cathal Shine, Donal Shine and Darragh Lennon. Best of luck lads!

U-14 Féile
The Clann na nGael under 14 team have been busy over the past few weeks. They commenced their Féile campaign with wins over Roscommon Gaels and Boyle and they now face St. Ciaran's in the semi final on Wednesday night.

Ladies U-16 Division 1A Championship Semi-Final
Clann na nGael 2-19 St Mary’s 4-6
On Thursday evening last Clann defeated St Mary's in the County Semi-Final at Cushla Park, Monksland. Although trailing by 2-4 to 0-6 at the break, Clann lifted their performances a couple notches in the second-half to run out comfortable winners. Two goals from Ashley-Rose Coyle helped Clann's cause but this was a great team performance.

Roscommon Ladies U-16 Division 1A Final
Clann na nGael 4-9 Strokestown 2-15
The showpiece of the U-16 championship went down to the wire on Sunday evening last and justice was done as the match ended in stalemate and two gallant sides lived to fight another day. This was as good an advertisement for Ladies football as you will see with plenty of tension, intensity and drama. The pace of the game never let up while at the same time both sides played good football and littered the match with some great scores. Both clubs are no strangers to this stage of the championship with Strokestown playing in their fourth straight final without a win while Clann were victors over them in 2008.

Strokestown were determined not to be the bridesmaids on this occasion and tore into the match from the start. They had to come from behind to an early Kayleigh Dunning free but in the 8th minutes midfielder Michelle Mullooly opened their account. Judy McDermott started a fine day in front of goal with a point after 15 minutes before Lola Omotosho pointed for Clann within a minute after being well set-up by Kayleigh Dunning. Strokestown took over at this stage with Judy McDermott to the fore as her colleagues constantly tried to work her into positions to finish off moves. She was ably supported by Aisling McAuliffe who scored her first point on 22 minutes after being set up by sweeper Triona Kelly. Clann had goalkeeper Sarah O’Sullivan to thank at this juncture of the half as she reacted quickly to save a deflected shot which could easily have slipped past her. Aisling McAuliffe scored again in the 26th and 27th minutes before Lola Omotosho scored her second point for Clann after 28 minutes. Judy McDermott pointed within a minute for Strokestown before Clann received a tonic entering injury time with Saoirse McManus scored a goal. Ashley Rose Coyle found her in space with a pass which Saoirse finished low into the corner of the net. Orla O’Neill tapped over a point for Clann after a free from Kayleigh Dunning was dropped in around the goal mouth before Clann took the lead when they scored a great goal. Lola Omotosho drove forward to set up Orla O’Neill who in turn found Rebecca Naughton who rattled the back of the net. Despite being under pressure for long periods of the first half Clann lead at half-time 2-4 to 0-9.

Both sides exchanged early second half scores before Rebecca Naughton extended Clann’s lead to two points on 5 minutes. Then Aisling McAuliffe won a good ball on the wing and passed inside to the marauding Lorna Flanagan who struck a superb shot into the top of the net from 15 metres out. The end to end action continued and Orla O’Neill fastened on to a another Kayleigh Dunning free and from a tight angled looped a shot into the far corner of the goal to top any goal scored so far. Down the far end Strokestown went and Lorna Flanagan pointed a move involving Judy McDermott. Clann went up the other end and Rebecca Naughton, now operating at full forward, scored a point to leave Clann two up. Within two minutes both Lorna Flanagan and Orla O’Neill exchanged great points from play to leave the match at a knife edge. Kayleigh Dunning then kicked a great 35 metre free after Karen Nicholson had been fouled to put Clann three up but they couldn’t get the insurance score and Strokestown came back. The Strokestown defence were having a great game with the two Mulloolys and Triona Kelly particularly to the fore and they provided plenty of possession for their forwards along with midfielder Bronagh McHugh. Judy McDermott scored a free and then followed up with a point from play to leave the bare minimum between the sides as the tension rose entering injury time. Then when a Clann attack broke down Strokestown counter attacked at pace and Bronagh McHugh sent a screamer of a shot from 20 metres to top left hand corner of the goal for what seemed like a dramatic winner. Roy of the Rovers stuff! Clann threw the kitchen sink at the ‘Town goal and Rebecca Naughton earned herself a penalty. Cool as a cucumber the same girl slotted the ball inside the post as this pulsating game reached fever pitch. But Strokestown didn’t panic; held possession for a number of passes and engineered a free 30 metres from goal. Judy McDermott showed nerves of steel to slot it over bar for the equaliser and on the kick-out referee John Martin brought an end to proceedings. Both sides will feel they left it behind but the neutrals will only look forward to the replay.

Clann na nGael team: Sarah O’ Sullivan, Lianne O’Connor, Ciara Costello, Aoibhinn Golden, Aileen McEvilly, Gillian Wall, Damilola Omotosho 0-2, Ciara Galvin, Orla O’Neill 1-2 , Ciara Quinn, Rebecca Naughton 2-3, Karen Nicholson, Saoirse McManus 1-0, Kayleigh Dunning 0-2, Ashley Rose Coyle. Subs: Shauna Bannon, Hazel Menton, Melissa Glynn, Kiara Shine, Yvonne Curley, Anna Shine, Louise Curley, Jennifer Duignan, Valerie Oyiki.
Strokestown team: Aisling Hanley, Jill Mullooly, Coleen Cosgrave, Deirdre Convay, Kirsty McKay, Rebecca Mullooly, Aoife Shiel, Michelle Mullooly 0-1, Bronagh McHugh 1-0, Triona Kelly, Laurna Flanaghan 1-3, Olivia Rodgers, Ruta Sum, Judy McDermott 0-8, Aisling McAulliffe 0-3. Subs: Eleanor Hanley, Sophia Green, Tara Rodgers, Mikella O’Rourke.

Adult Winter League
Clann ladies play Padraig Pearses in Johnstown at 8.30pm this Friday 16th April.

Ladies U-14 Féile
Clann play Padraig Pearses in the Quarter Final of Féile in Woodmount at 6.30pm on Wednesday 14th April.

Ladies U-12 Championship
Clann play Padraig Pearses in Johnstown at 7pm in the opening fixture in this year's championship.

Results/Torthaí
Division 3 League Tansey Cup
Strokestown 1-14 Clann na nGael 1-9
Ladies U-16 Division 1A Championship Semi-Final
Clann na nGael 2-19 St Mary’s 4-6
Roscommon Ladies U-16 Division 1A Final
Clann na nGael 4-9 Strokestown 2-15

Fixtures/Clár Cluichí
Wednesday 14th April
Ladies U-14 Féile: Padraig Pearses v Clann na nGael at 6.30pm
Friday 16th April
Mid-South Division 4 League: Kilbride v Clann na nGael at 7.15pm
Sunday 18th April
U16 League: Clann na nGael vs Padraig Pearses
Corrib Oil Division 1 League: Boyle v Clann na nGael at 2pm