Dunning"s late point saves Clann as draw specialists earn a replay

A late point from Clann na nGael"s county forward Jonathan Dunning means the south Roscommon side will face Elphin again to decide who will progress to the semi-finals of this year"s Roscommon SFC. The greasy Hyde Park surface on Saturday evening last made it difficult for either side, as Clann struggled to get a firm hold on proceedings until the second half. Along with a big performance from Jonathan Dunning, a positive showing from the club"s minor stars of recent years, Donal Shine and David Flynn, were a must for Clann as the sides took to the field. Dunning, apart from grabbing the all-important last point of the game, was not as influential as the Clann faithful would have hoped, while Flynn did his best to quell the performance of full-forward Colm Rock. However, it was who Shine was on top form as he grabbed the majority of his side"s scores, most of which came from impeccable free-taking. Shine also orchestrated and finished Clann"s best point midway through the first half. Elphin had beaten St Aidan"s to reach this stage of the Championship while Clann earned two draws against Western Gaels and St Faithleach"s to see them through to the quarter-final. It was hard to pick a favourite leading into the game as Elphin"s young side were seen as very much a surprise package. Both Ollie Harney and David Henry earned starts in the Clann team following two impressive performances from the bench in their previous match. Clann started well and should have had a goal in the second minute as Jonathan Dunning stretched his legs with a piercing run into the Elphin defence, before hand-passing off to Niall McManus who had made a burst down the left wing. McManus" powerful run left him with just the keeper to beat, but Shane Reynolds rushed out of his goal, forcing McManus to put his effort wide of the target. Elphin settled well after this scare and, with a two man full-forward line, were first to mark the scoreboard. Their tactics on the day left the forwards with plenty of space to run into as Fintan Cregg - beginning what would be the most influential performance from a player in an orange jersey on the day - scored a point and then provided an assist for Kevin Brady to leave Elphin two points up before Clann made their mark. Donal Shine replied with two points of his own, as he caught a poor Shane Reynolds kick-out, which he returned back over the Elphin crossbar, and after a bad challenge on Clann"s Ray Fallon, Shine converted his first free of the game to leave the sides level. Elphin full-forward Colm Rock was giving Denis Gavin plenty of trouble and Clann manager Enon Gavin, in response to this, put David Flynn on the troublesome Elphin forward, early in the first half. Rock fuelled the scoring tally of Fintan Cregg, winning frees and plenty of ball in front of the Clann goal. Donal Shine, however, matched Cregg throughout as he grabbed a point from play in the 15th minute; Shine had begun Clann"s best move of the game with a clever slap of the ball after he rose high in the centre of the park. In contrast to Clann, Elphin"s scoring was shared out among the forwards as Eanna Tiernan grabbed his first of the game to put his side back in the lead. The north Roscommon side enjoyed their most dominant period leading up to half-time, but were not precise enough in front of goal to make their dominance count. Just before half-time, Clann"s new young star Cathal Shine made an appearance, replacing David Kelly. This move by manager Enon Gavin would prove important in the second half. Clann stayed in touch with another Donal Shine free as they went in at half-time with Elphin just a point to the good, after a scrappy first half. Clann"s second-half display was much more encouraging as Matt Scally"s influence on the game grew, as did that of Cathal Shine. The latter hit the post with only five minutes gone in the second half as he rose to punch a Donal Shine free just outside the square. Along with this rejuvenation in the forward line, Donal Shine"s effectiveness from frees continued as the he tied proceedings in the 36th minute. Clann then failed to increase their tally for over ten minutes as the game reached its most pivotal and perhaps controversial stage. Elphin will feel hard done by as Clann grabbed a goal following a dubious decision in front of the Clann posts, as a free was given against Colm Rock when it appeared the forward had been fouled. From the resulting free Cathal Shine received the ball on the half-way line and carved open the Elphin backline with an inspired 40-yard pass to Matt Scally, who made no mistake, rounding Shane Reynolds and tapping the ball home, rising the Clann management and subs from the dugout. Elphin were rattled and failed to respond as quickly as they should have, with Fintan Cregg wide from a free kick. Enda Kenny, introduced instead of David Henry, was giving the Elphin backline a tougher time in this half, however Kenny should have added another point to Clann"s tally, the substitute failing to cap a fine performance with what would have been a vital point. Elphin slowly battled their way back into the tie as Clann missed a great goal chance. This time Cathal Shine was on the end of a great Donal Shine pass but the young forward, clean through on goal, blazed over for a point. Elphin re-discovered their shooting boots as Fintan Cregg added a point to make it a one-point game once again. It was Colm Rock, however, who delighted the large Elphin support as he tied the game, catching a Brian Higgins ball which seemed destined for the byline. Rock curled the ball from a very acute angle. Higgins, Paddy O"Connor and Gerard Brady combined two minutes later with a swift move into Clann"s half to allow Eanna Tiernan to grab the point which put Elphin into the lead with just three minutes left. Clann were there for the taking, but two Elphin wides left a window of opportunity for Enon Gavin"s men. Matt Scally, who had grown into the game even more as the final whistle loomed, took full advantage of the opportunity, winning a great ball in the centre of the park, and finding Jonathan Dunning in front of the Elphin goal. Dunning, off balance and under pressure, dropped the ball over the bar to leave the sides with another meeting to ponder. Both sides will feel they could have won this game. Clann, who had leaped into the lead with the goal midway through the second half, should have wrapped up the tie following the goal, but lacked the conviction which they will need in the replay. On the other hand, Elphin looked very dangerous on the break and played some excellent football overall. Clann will need to up their game and keep a close eye on Colm Rock and Fintan Cregg in the Elphin forward line, both of whom were instrumental in Elphin"s performance. Clann na nGael: Ronan O"Reilly, Kenneth Dowling, Denis Gavin, Ray Fallon, Ollie Harney, David Flynn, Niall McManus, Gary Shine, Brian Goode, David Henry, Matt Scally (1-0), Mark Shine, Donal Shine (0-6, 4f), Jonathan Dunning (0-1), David Kelly. Subs: Cathal Shine (0-1) for Kelly (25 mins); Enda Kenny for Henry (30). Elphin: Shane Reynolds, Daire Neary, Ronan Brady, Brendan Neary, Michael Clancy, Paddy O"Connor, Gerard Brady, Brian Higgins, Shane Tiernan, Niall Travers, John Collins (0-2), Kevin Brady (0-1), Fintan Cregg (0-4), Colm Rock (0-1), Eanna Tiernan (0-4). Subs: Paul Conlon for K Brady (50 mins); Shane Beirne for Travers (58). Referee: Jimmy Reilly.