Clann na Banna keep up impressive run - 30/06/2003

ACFL Div 3: Clann Na Banna 1-13 V Drumaness 1-07 27/06/2003

Clann Na Banna were going into this game on an impressive run of late and in the early stages this good form was highly visable. Clann Na Banna were first on the score sheet after a deep through through ball from right half forward Marty Morgan put Liam Mc Crum in the clear. As the full back advanced Mc Crum passed to the unmarked Shane Bell who riflled a shot in which the keeper did well to parry, only for the alert Bell to pick up the rebound and fist over the bar. This settled the home team and Johnny Burns playing as the roaming corner forward kicked a long distance point from wide on the right. This was quickly followed by a pointed free from Liam Mc Crum after Mark Casey had been brought down.

A further free for a foul on Mc Crum resulted in another Johnny Burns point. Drumaness had a good ten minute spell midway through the first half which seen them cut the defecit back to a single point. After some high fielding from Paul Burns, Ivor Mc Grath took a fine point from fully forty metres. Good play in the Bann full back line from Mark Loughlin began a move which went the length ot the field, culminating in an attempt at a point from Liam Mc Crum which just fell short. Misjudgement from the Drumaness keeper under the high ball, gave Shane Bell a half chance which he drove to the net for a goal. A long range effort from half back Pat Feeney was the last score of a good first period for the home team.

Half Time Clann Na Banna 1:6 Drumaness 0:3

The second half began with Bann on the backfoot as Drumaness knocked over two points to close the gap on the score sheet. Clann Na Banna settled again with Johnny Burns knocking over a nice point from a free after a foul on Martin Morgan. Bann manager Rusty Mc Caufield was forced to change his game plan after powerhouse midfielder Sean Mc Cusker had to go off injured. Half forward Mc Crum was drafted back as cover but Drumaness started to break even around the middle until Paul Burns began to dominate once more. Fine play from the now buzzing Burns gave Pat Feeney another pop at goal from long range which he sent sailing over the bar. Martin Morgan was now continually in front of his man laying the ball off to on rushing Bann half backs. On one occasion the departing Brian Donaghy (off to the States after the game) took a point on the run after a slick pass from the aforementioned Morgan.

Some sloppy marking following a free kick to Drumaness allowed a quick pass to find the full forward who placed his shot expertly wide of the keeper and into the Bann net. This seemed to spur the away team on and they quickly added another point to close the gap. After shipping a few heavy tackles the tireless Ivor Mc Grath fed the spritely Martin Morgan for a fine point. Drumaness quickly replied but this was to prove their last score. From then on Bann dominated pocession with fouls on substitutes Murphy and Mc Dermott giving Mc Crum two quickfire points from the resulting free kicks. Almost with the last kick of the ball a foul on the impressive John Paul Gartland gave Mc Crum another chance from a free which he pointed from forty metres. Final Score Clann Na Banna 1:13 Drumaness 1:07

Clann Na Banna: Colm Gribben, Lee Rooney, Mark Loughlin, Connor Mc Grath, Brian Donaghy, John Paul Gartland, Pat Feeney, Sean Mc Cusker, Paul Burns, Liam Mc Crum, Ivor Mc Grath, Martin Morgan, Johnny Burns, Shane Bell, Mark Casey. Subs Used : John Murphy for Sean Mc Cusker, Rory Hill for Mark Casey, Pat Mc Dermott for Johnny Burns.
Subs Unused : Luigi Burns, Daryl Clarke, Mark Copeland.