Clann knocked out by late scoring surge

A barnstorming last quarter rally - in which they out scored their opponents by 7 points to 1 - was the springboard which zoomed Strokestown to a stunning success against a fancied Clann na nGael in this final round Group A Roscommon SFC tie at Kiltoom last Saturday evening. Having lost their opening group game to Kilbride and drawing next time out to Castlerea, this win re-ignited the Black and Ambers' championship season but, conversely, it was a devastating blow to a Clann side with two draws to their credit and who missed out on a desperately needed win to assure further progress in Championship 2011. With Castlerea outscoring Kilbride 0-14 to 0-10 in Hyde Park on Sunday, Clann are now dragged into relegation territory, finishing last in their group with 2 points. Castlerea finished on 4 points, with Kilbride and Strokestown on 3 each. Already deprived of the services of long-term injury victim Cathal Shine, the further loss on the evening of inter-country star and marksman-par-excellence Donal Shine (hamstring problem) was a crushing reverse to the Johnstown men against the 2010 intermediate champions. Donal had accounted for 1-13 of their 1-21 total in their two drawn games, but Strokestown also travelled to the splendid Newpark venue minus the services of key players in Paddy Brogan and Colin Compton. While the weather (heavy showers and chilly conditions) certainly had a say in the small crowd of no more than 250, the level of interest in local championships up to semi-final stage is certainly a cause of concern in many counties, with club sides being supported by only the faithful few. Roscommon is no exception in this regard, with the cost of training and running a club bearing little relation to the level of sadly decreasing spectator interest in many cases. Clann introduced Colin Nicholson to the attack on a squad which featured several changes to that listed on the match programme. Team captain Matt Scally was utilised as a third midfielder from the off, with Jonathan Dunning joining Nicholson in a two-man full forward line, while a re-jigged half-forward trio featured Mark Shine, Darragh Shine and Enda Kenny. Although Strokestown (placing John Rogers at centre-forward from the off) drew first blood when the subsequently impressive Ruaridhi Molloy pointed within 30 seconds, Clann impressively seized the subsequent initiative. Goalkeeper Ronan O'Reilly made the first of his three trips down field to accurately convert a '45', just prior to a point from Strokestown captain Conor Silke. Clann gave promise of better things when registering 3 subsequent unanswered points. Originally listed at centre-back, but plying a fruitful trade at centre-forward, the highly committed Darragh Shine had a hand in all three. He combined with Mark Shine and midfielder Graham Pettit for the latter to split the uprights (6th minute), while he was also involved in the next a minute later when Jonathan Dunning landed a lovely score. Darragh again made the road for Jonathan to show fleetness of foot when posting his team's 4th point (on 10 minutes). Joe Flynn's black and ambers were under strong pressure at this stage, but John Rogers punished a foul on wing-back Philip Duignan with the first of his evening's 8 points from placed balls. Both teams then fluffed a few scoring opportunities including Clann keeper Ronan O'Reilly second '45' attempt, before a Strokestown resurgence produced 2 further points (per David Parker and a John Rogers free). The 24th minute almost realised a Clann goal - Darragh and Mark Shine were involved in the move, before Colin Nicholson pass found the in-rushing Darragh, but his fisted effort was saved by alert Strokestown goalie John McHugh. Mark Shine (Clann) and Ruaridhi Molloy (Strokestown) exchanged points (incidentally Clann's first score in 15 minutes). But with the match balanced on a knife edge, the south county men finished the half on a strong note with a trio of unanswered points. Darragh Shine again assumed the role of playmaker to place the strong running Jonathan Dunning; Enda Kenny had arguably the score of the evening with a delighted solo and point; and Mark Shine (free) left Dessie Dolan snr. the happier of the two managers at the short whistle. On an evening where the wind was not a factor, Clann, therefore, went to the dressing rooms with a slender 0-8 to 0-6 lead. Alan Dunne replaced the injured Colin Nicholson in the Clann attack on the resumption. Strokestown, thanks to two John Rogers pointed frees, were back level by the 38th minute. However, with Niall McManus and Cathal Duignan prominent in the Clann defence, the Blues resumed the attack and thanks to good build-up play by McManus and Darragh Shine, Enda Kenny landed another beauty from play 10 minutes in. Strokestown almost paid the penalty for some sloppy defending when Clann quickly counter-attacked, but Jonathan Dunning was unlucky to blaze narrowly wide with the keeper beaten. A lucky escape indeed for the Black and Ambers, but the concession of another '45' brought Ronan O'Reilly upfield again, who was successful with his conversion. Now ahead again by 2 points (0-10 to 0-8) entering the last quarter but, just as it looked that Clann would maintain a winning margin to secure qualification, the plot began to seriously unravel for them. Midfield ascendancy swung decisively in favour of the east county side, where Mattie Colum and Seamus Collins took control and with John Rogers having an almost 100 per cent success rate from placed balls, Clann were in trouble. Admittedly some of the calls that went against their defenders were visibly questionable but, with the Strokestown defence - especially in the form of long-serving Ronan Owens, Niall Brogan and Daniel Rogers - not affording the proverbial inch to their respective opponents, a surprise result became a reality. From the 45th to the 59th minutes, Clann failed to raise a flag in comparison to opponents who posted 7 successive points, thereby storming ahead. John Rogers scored four (all frees), with Ruaridhi Molloy, Daniel Rogers (striding upfield from defence) and Conor Silke completing this scoring surge. This was enough to seal the two points on offer, thereby extricating themselves from worries of relegation and simultaneously maintaining a strong interest in qualification. Clann did get the final score on an evening where light was fading when sub Alan Dunne pointed a late, late free. But it was only damage limitation in a game which turned nightmarish for them in that last quarter as the roof fell in on their championship aspirations. And so, Strokestown brought off the great escape in a campaign which started badly for them. They now look ahead with confidence to the new stage, and, on the evening, fully deserved their win. Clann were dealt a terrible blow with the loss of Donal Shine, but were still in contention until that last quarter disintegration on an evening to forget. Their more prominent players were Ronan O'Reilly, Cathal Duignan, Niall McManus, Darragh Shine, Enda Kenny, Jonathan Dunning and Mark Shine. Scorers - Strokestown: J Rogers (0-8, 8f), R Molloy (0-3), C Silke (0-2), D Parker (0-1), D Rogers (0-1). Clann na nGael: J Dunning (0-3), R O'Reilly (0-2, 0-2 '45's) M Shine (0-2, 1f), E Kenny (0-2), G Pettit (0-1), A Dunne (0-1f). Strokestown: John McHugh, Damien Caslin, Ronan Owens, Johnny Dolan, Niall Brogan, Daniel Rogers, Philip Duignan, Mattie Colum, Seamus Collins, Enda Molloy, John Rogers, Ruaridhi Molloy, Conor Silke (capt) Thomas Shanagher, David Parker. Subs: Ciaran Reilly for Dolan (35); Kenny Bosquette for Shanagher (42). Clann na nGael: Ronan O'Reilly, Eugene Pettit, David Flynn, Ray Fallon, Ronan Gavin, Cathal Duignan, Niall McManus, Brian Goode, Graham Pettit, Mark Shine, Darragh Shine, Enda Kenny, Matt Scally (capt), Jonathan Dunning, Colin Nicholson. Sub: Alan Dunne for Nicholson (inj., h/t). Referee: Marty Parker (St. Faithleach's), who issued 4 yellow cards (2 to each side) during the game.