Junior success gives Clann na nGael a welcome boost

IT'S been a somewhat testing year for Clann na nGael on the playing field. Despite celebrating its 75th Anniversary, the club's senior team went mightily close to dropping out of the top grade, needing to beat St Aidan's in a relegation play-off to ensure survival in the Roscommon SFC. But the club's junior team provided a timely boost to supporters when lifting the Roscommon Junior Football Championship last weekend, as they overcame Creggs on a 2-10 to 1-6 scoreline at Kiltoom. Central to the victory was Darragh Lennon, who notched 1-7, but manager Cathal Kenny was keen to praise his entire panel following the win. "I'm delighted for the lads," said Kenny. "There's a few guys who have been around for a while, and it's great to see them get rewarded in the shape of a county title. We had fairly big expectations of this group at the start of the championship, but you never know how it's going to pan out. I was a member of the panel last year, and we went close, but this year has been very, very good." "I think Clann na nGael needs a team at intermediate level. "If we're to get ourselves back amongst the top teams at senior level, which I don't think is a million miles away, then we need to have a competitive team at intermediate. We feel we can compete at intermediate level, and I believe this team is good enough to hold its own (at intermediate). We'll definitely be going up to intermediate now, and I think it's a great boost to everyone at the club," he added. Kenny admitted Clann were "comfortable enough" for large periods of the win over Creggs, and pinpointed the scoring of two goals, by Niall Lennon and Darragh Lennon, in the space of four first half minutes as the main turning point. "We were two points to the good at that stage, but I felt it was pretty even until midway through the first half. Obviously, the two goals helped us massively, and put a dent in Creggs' hopes, and we never looked back afterwards. We conceded a sloppy goal late on, which was disappointing, but the hard work was done and we were very deserving winners. "It's the culmination of plenty of hard work and training throughout the year. "We've a lot of experienced players, and it's fitting for them to win a county title, but we also have several younger lads, and this experience will stand to them in the future. "I don't think the seniors are too far away, they were a bit unfortunate in a couple of championship games this year, and had a few injuries. But with this crop of players coming the fore, and with a great underage set-up, which we put a lot of effort into, I think things look good for Clann na nGael. "It's always lovely to lift a trophy at the end of the year, and everyone associated with the club is extremely delighted and proud," said Kenny. Last weekend was a memorable one for Clann na nGael as the club claimed success on several fronts, including the U14 girls championship and the U16 Division 3 league.