Clann reach knock-outs despite Kilmore defeat

DESPITE tasting defeat with practically the last kick of this tight game at a well-attended and misty Kilmore on Sunday evening, Clann na nGael have still progressed to the knock out stages of this year's Roscommon SFC. A dramatic late point by Ray Caslin gave Kilmore a hard-fought and just about deserved victory over Dessie Dolan's Clann, meaning Kilmore sensationally jumped above St Aidan's in the three-team group, thereby also securing a coveted place in the quarter-finals. The real losers from the day were not in action here at all - Ballyforan outfit St Aidan's - who despite beating Kilmore by two points in the group opener back in early June, are eliminated courtesy of a narrowly inferior scoring difference to Kilmore (Kilmore finished on a scoring difference of -1, just one point better-off than a hugely unfortunate St Aidan's). However, it could be argued that Kilmore's performance here was more than worthy of a place in the knock-out stages. Kilmore, on the day, had a little more hunger and will-to-win than a fancied Clann na nGael, who despite having county star Donie Shine at full-forward, failed to capitalise on an efficient opening 20 minutes or so, and allowed a brave and energetic Kilmore to battle their way back into contention. The highly-rated Donie Shine registered six points, including four frees, with the pick of his scores coming in the 20th minute, when he rifled over with real quality after cutting inside from the left wing. Shine, a genuine hero throughout the county after this year's Connacht success, proved difficult to handle for Kilmore during the opening periods, but as time progressed full-back Jack Sharkey found his feet and performed very solidly against Shine, who never received near enough quality ball during a much more low-key second half for the towering young forward. Perhaps Clann's most potent attacking threat, particularly during the second half, came from Matt Scally, who scored two excellent points, and constantly tried to be at the fulcrum of Clann's attacking efforts. David Flynn (playing at centre half-forward) also played well at times, but failed to get on the scoresheet, while Johnny Dunning started well but faded somewhat as the match progressed. Denis Gavin's marauding runs forward from defence were also a good feature of Clann's play, but they ended the game with just 14 players after Niall McManus was sent off for two yellow cards. However, Kilmore had their fair share of star performers, with forwards Ray Caslin and Kevin Caslin putting in excellent shifts, notching a total of five crucial points between them, and their lively movement constantly caused difficulty for Clann's defence. Paul Garvey was also inspirational at times, grabbing four points from the half-forward position (all from play), and perhaps the most impressive aspect of Kilmore's play is the fact only one of their scores came from a deadball situation. Derek Connellan was another who had a fine game. Although named at full-forward, Connellan was soon asked to drop deeper and assist Kilmore's struggling midfield, whose obvious height disadvantage - against a very big and strong Clann team - left them struggling during the first quarter of the game. Dermot Foley battled hard in the middle of the field but it was the industrious and often selfless efforts of Connellan that helped Kilmore steady the ship after an awkward start to the match. Kilmore's defenders were seriously battle-hardened, too, and put in a tremendous effort, and upheld the highest level of concentration, against a much-vaunted Clann attack. Clann held a huge height advantage at midfield and this showed clearly in the opening exchanges. With the first attack of the game, Clann poked their noses in front. Donie Shine's initial effort was brilliantly blocked by Jack Sharkey, but the ball broke kindly for Ross Naughton to point. The dynamic Ray Caslin quickly restored parity with a nicely taken score, before Jack Sharkey produced a great catch on the edge of the Kilmore square to deny a chance for Donie Shine. The next time Clann pumped a high ball into Shine, he won it, and knocked it down for Johnny Dunning, but his effort (with three and a half minutes on the clock) was wayward and wide. On nine minutes, Cathal Shine picked out Donie and he took his point with great conviction, before David Flynn needed medical attention for an ankle knock, although the Clonown man was fine to continue. Paul McElhone received a tick in referee Oliver Kelly's notebook, before Donie and Matt Scally set up Cathal Shine but he sliced his effort wide. Kilmore levelled against the flow of play when Dermot Foley set up Paul Garvey to take a point in considered style, but Clann were back in the lead in the 12th minute when Donie converted a close range after Dunning was fouled by Gary Connellan. Donie stretched Clann's lead to two points with another free, but Garvey responded in kind, scoring two points to level matters. Kilmore's tails were up now and Ray Caslin gave them a 19th minute lead after strong play by Foley, but an inspirational point by Donie drew matters level again. Niall McManus was booked in the 22nd minute and the resulting free from Kilmore's Derek Connellan struck the woodwork, and Clann were lucky to clear the danger. McElhone and Dunning swapped scores before the interval, leaving it level pegging at the break (0-6 apiece). With 40 seconds of the restart, Donie proved successful with an easy free, but a stubborn Kilmore were soon level again through Ray Caslin. Denis Gavin was then penalised for fouling Ray Caslin, and Derek Connellan slotted over a brilliantly taken free from close to the 45 metre line. Scally was beginning to exert more influence and set up Mark Shine to equalise on 39 minutes, but two points from Kilmore (by Kevin Caslin and Garvey) gave the hosts a two-point advantage. On 42 minutes, Scally scored a fine point after good play by substitute Darragh Shine, before Flynn was yellow-carded for an overzealous challenge on Aaron McEvoy. Gary Shine was also ticked in referee Kelly's notebook, before a superb point by Scally made it all square with 13 minutes remaining. Dunning sliced wide before getting replaced with eight minutes left, before Clann's Cathal Duignan received a tick from the referee. Kilmore regained the upper hand with six minutes left through Ray Caslin but a draw looked likely when Donie Shine's free levelled the match with just over three minutes to go. However, the final word was left to the excellent Ray Caslin, who curled over a beautiful score during the second minute of injury time to seal a brilliant win for Kilmore. SCORERS - Kilmore: R Caslin, P Garvey 0-4 each, D Connellan 0-2 (1f), K Caslin, P McElhone 0-1 each. Clann na nGael: Donie Shine 0-6 (4f), M Scally 0-2, R Naughton, M Shine, J Dunning 0-1 each. Kilmore: Jason McEvoy; Paul Beirne, Jack Sharkey, Aidan Reynolds; Gary Connellan, Colin Garvey, Shane Sharkey; Diarmuid Carney, Dermot Foley; Paul McElhone, Paul Garvey, Ray Caslin; Kevin Caslin, Derek Connellan, Pat Caslin. Subs: Aaron McEvoy for McElhone (40 mins), Emmet Glancy for S Sharkey (51), Paul McElhone for K Caslin (52). Clann na nGael: Darren Lennon; Denis Gavin, Niall McManus, Eugene Pettit; Ronan Gavin, Cathal Duignan, Brian Goode; Gary Shine, Cathal Shine; Matt Scally, David Flynn, Mark Shine; Ross Naughton, Donie Shine, Johnny Dunning. Subs: Darragh Shine for R Gavin (27 mins), Darragh Lennon for Dunning (52). Referee: Oliver Kelly (St Faithleach's).