Pearses power their way into final with impressive win over Clann

A power-packed Padraig Pearses display proved too much for Clann na nGael - who making a welcome return to the upper echelons of Roscommon football - as they had 8 points to spare in this Shannonside FM Roscommon SFC Semi-Final, which was played at Kiltoom on Sunday evening last. Once again, and despite the worst that the miserly clerk of the weather could throw at it, the Newpark venue was in superlative condition after a day"s continuous rain, with a big crowd braving the horrendous elements for this eagerly anticipated local derby. Having lost the 2005 decider to St. Brigid"s in their last appearance at the captain"s table, it was a steely and determined Red Brigade, with unfinished business strongly on their collective agenda, who were meeting 19 times champions Clann. For their part, Clann were anxious to take a further step in their quest for a first Fahey Cup since 1996. The battle lines were drawn for an epic, Pearses also having the further incentive of never having beaten Clann in the S.F.C. However, from an early stage in Sunday"s confrontation, it was clear that Eamon Mahon"s men meant business big-time. The terrible weather proved no obstacle to them, making a loud statement of intent as they seized the initiative. Playing a lovely style of free-flowing football despite the obvious slippy conditions, they had opened up an 0-5 to 0-0 lead by the 16th minute against opponents who were afforded no time to establish their game plan. Midfielder and captain, Pat Connell showed the way after 2 minutes, when the No. 8"s centre was punched over the bar by Clann goalkeeper Ronan O"Reilly, with Michael Duignan and Niall Carty prominent in the build-up. Duignan drew the foul a minute later, punished by Sean Fahy, while the latter fielded a terrific clearance from John Whyte to fire over a smart 8th minute point from play. Cathal Shine was a late call-up to the Clann starting 15 (instead of the programme-listed Mark Shine), and the 2008 St. Aloysius College star, moved to full-forward, drew a brilliant save from Pearses goalie Tomás Dolan in his side"s first real attack, at the expense of a fruitless '45'. Centre forward Matt Scally continued the Clann pressure, but his pass to wing-back Niall McManus was driven wide. Back came Pearses, and looking extremely comfortable when going forward, added a further brace of points, per Michael Duignan (placed by Gerry Kelly), and Gerry himself (via Pat Connell and Paul Duke) to quickly open up a 5-point lead as the game entered the second quarter. These were worrying times for the Clann faithful - Mark Shine was introduced on 18 minutes for Enda Kenny - as they still hadn"t raised a flag against a Pearses rearguard where the left flank, in particular, of Padraig Kelly and Declan Duffy were in superb form. The Johnstown men were unlucky when a Brian Goode-Mark Shine-Johnny Dunning foray saw the No. 14"s shot hit the post, but they received a tremendous boost in the 21st minute when forward star Donal Shine"s speculative shot from the sideline on the stand side went all the way to the net. In a twinkling, the contest was thrown wide open, and with centre-back David Flynn drawing his colleagues forward, it was Tomás Dolan again who prevented a second goal, this time from Cathal Shine with another great save, before Cathal reduced arrears to the minimum with a smashing point from play. Pearses, having gone 14 minutes without a score during the Clann renaissance, now steadied the ship. With the excellent Pat Connell making the way, via Niall Finneran and Niall Carty, for a Paul Duke point, and Seán Fahy adding a pointed free in injury time, they had regained the initiative to lead by 0-7 to 1-1 at the interval. There was also a near miss when Michael Duignan"s shot zoomed goalwards, but it was scrambled away to safety. Clann started the second half brightly when Donal Shine (foul on Cathal Shine) pointed the resultant free inside the opening minute, but this seemed only to re-ignite the Pearses flame. Quick-fire movements became the order of the evening. Impressive build-ups featured in each attack as Michael Duignan, Niall Carty, wing-back Paul Kelly and Niall Finneran (having a great tussle at the fringe of the square with Clann and former Roscommon stalwart Denis Gavin) all added points to open up a 6-point advantage. Then followed what were, for this reporter, the deciding moments of this match. A brilliant double-save by Pearses custodian Tomás Dolan (first from Cathal Shine and then a bullet from Johnny Dunning at the expense of a '45', pointed by Donal Shine) were promptly followed by a Pearses counter-attack. Seán Fahy, from the right wing, found Pat Connell, and his floating centre found the in-rushing Alan Duffy, who punched to the net - shades of Pat Spillane in the 1986 All-Ireland SFC Final v Tyrone! This imprimatured the Reds" admission to the upcoming final. Mark Shine (49th minute) and Gerry Kelly (50th minute) exchanged the final brace of points of the evening. The last 10 minutes (plus injury time) produced no further scores as a plethora of subs were introduced from both benches but, at the long whistle of referee Seamus Regan, Padraig Pearses had convincingly overcome Clann na nGael to lay a long-time bogey and make it to final 2008 on a 1-12 to 1-4 margin. A feature of the Pearses display on Sunday was the fact that their final score was compiled by nine players - a half-back, both midfielders and the six starting forwards. Pre-match criticism of wayward shooting in earlier contests was emphatically answered by Eamon Mahon"s charges - a repeat of this performance will go a long way towards bringing home their first SFC crown, but there are many caveats lurking before then. Apart from the final 10 minutes of the first half, Pearses held the whip hand on this occasion. Heroes abounded throughout the field, but Tomás Dolan, John Whyte, Padraig Kelly, Declan Duffy, Enda Barrett, Pat Connell, Gerry Kelly and Michael Duignan were among their best on this occasion. Clann have a team with a nice blend of youth and experience who have the ideal attributes to once again restore their club to its rightful aristocracy. They met a very focused and determined opposition on Sunday and will emerge stronger from it. Enon Gavin"s side were well served by Denis Gavin, David Flynn, Niall McManus, Gary Shine, Cathal Shine, Donal Shine, Johnny Dunning and Mark Shine. WHAT NEXT? Padraig Pearses are back in the County Final for the first time since 2005. They will meet either Castlerea St. Kevin"s or Western Gaels, who drew (0-6 all) at Elphin. SCORERS - Padraig Pearses - S Fahy (0-3, 2f), A Duffy (1-0), G Kelly (0-2), M Duignan (0-2), P Connell (0-1), P Duke (0-1), N Carty (0-1), Paul Kelly (0-1), N Finneran (0-1). Clann na nGael - Donal Shine (1-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 '45'), Cathal Shine (0-1), Mark Shine (0-1). Padraig Pearses: Tomás Dolan, Denis Whyte, John Whyte, Pádraig Kelly, Paul Kelly, Enda Barrett, Declan Duffy, Pat Connell (capt.), Niall Carty, Paul Duke, Gerry Kelly, Seán Fahy, Alan Duffy, Niall Finneran, Michael Duignan. Subs: Ja Egan for G Kelly (inj. 52), Damien Donnellan for D Whyte (55), Eanna Ryan for Duke (59), Aidan Fallon for Finneran (60). Clann na nGael: Ronan O"Reilly, Kenny Dowling, Denis Gavin, Ray Fallon, Ollie Harney, David Flynn, Niall McManus, Gary Shine, Brian Goode, Enda Kenny, Matt Scally, Cathal Shine, Donal Shine, Johnny Dunning, David Kelly. Subs: Mark Shine for Kenny (18), Darragh Lennon for Kelly (38), Paul Bruce for Goode (41), David Henry for Scally (53), Niall Shine for Harney (56). Referee: Seamus Regan (Eire Óg), who issued 6 yellow cards, 5 to Clann na nGael, over the hour.