Clan na Gael 5-12 Glyde Rangers 2-7
Clan na Gael qualified for their first ever Intermediate Championship final after this comfortable win over Glyde Rangers in The Ramparts on Sunday.
While Glyde battled bravely throughout, it was the superior fire power of the Dundalk side that saw them through as Ciera Woods and Cara McKeever hit 5-5 of the Clans total between them while former Dublin star Denise McKenna was also very much to the fore.
Despite playing against the wind Clans opened the scoring through Ciera Woods after four minutes before Glyde replied with three scores in as many minutes form Sarah Gilmore, Alannagh Conlon and Ciara Owens.
After an Alannagh McLoughlin point, Ciera Woods restored Clans lead with their first goal after good work by McKenna and McKeever. Minor star Sarah Gilmore hit a good point before the Tallanstown side were back in front as Alannagh Conlon shot to net after good approach play by Gilmore and Amy Farrell made it 1-4 to 1-2 midway through the half.
Clans responded strongly as from the resultant kick out Alannagh McLaughlin won possession and her precise pass found Cara McKeever who fired to the net from an acute angle. The talented corner forward completed her hat-trick within the next five minutes, firstly availing of a defensive mistake and then was on hand after good play by McKenna increasing their lead to 4-2 to 1-4 after 20 minutes. Sarah Gilmore did add two points to Glyde’s total with Ciara Woods replying for Clans who led 4-3 to 1-6 at the interval
With the breeze in their backs Clans quickly added to their tally with points from Alannagh McLaughlin, Denise McKenna (2) and Emily Norton before Ciara Woods spotted Glyde keeper Ellen Campbell off her line and placed and floated a high centre over the stranded net minder from 30 yards. The excellent awareness and execution by Woods left Clans 5-9 to 1-6 clear with just 15 minutes left.
With the game decided both managers give a number of their fringe players a taste of championship action as Clans eased into a final showdown with Nh Fionnbarra in Saturday’s high noon decider in Stabannon.
Glyde Rangers: Ellen Campbell. Emily Scriven, Sinead Kirk, Megan Hoey, Eimear Kindlon, Michelle McMahon, Eimear Smith, Amy Farrell, Alanna Conlon, (1-01) Hanna Kearney, Karla Emerson,(1-00) Ciara McCullagh, Sarah Gilmore,(0-05) Ciera Owens,(0-01) Annabel Kearney.
