Liam Cunningham

Glasdrumman 0-13 Clann Na Banna 1-10

Clonduff was the setting for this Second Division relegation play-off between Glasdrumman and Clann Na Banna on Sunday afternoon.
Glasdrumman started well and two pointed free kicks from Connaire Harrison had them in front by the fifth minute. However Clann Na Banna settled into the game with two points of their own to level the scores with ten minutes on the clock. Connaire Harrison scored another point in the nineteenth minute to put Glasdrumman in front but Clann Na Banna replied with two points to lead with four minutes to half time. Cormac Murphy put over a free kick with a minute to go to level the game again but Clann Na Banna still had time to score twice again in injury time to leave the half time scores Glasdrumman 0-4 Clann Na Banna 0-6.
Glasdrumman came out for the second half playing with a strong wind in their favour but it was Clann Na Banna who scored first in the half with a point only two minutes after the restart. Connaire Harrison scored a well taken point immediately for Glasdrumman which was followed by points each from Cormac Murphy and Sean McDowell to level the scores after thirty five minutes. Connaire Harrison stepped up two minutes later to point a free kick, after a foul on Christopher Cassidy, to edge Glasdrumman in front again. Clann Na Banna levelled the scores yet again within a minute before Connaire Harrison scored his sixth and Glasdrumman's ninth point of the game on forty minutes. Glasdrumman continued to create chances but couldn't take advantage of their oportunities, and Clann Na Banna fully took advantage with their next chance hitting the back of the net to put them in front by two points with nine minutes remaining. Glasdrumman rallied, and Raymond Clarke replied with a point two minutes later but Glasdrumman allowed Clann Na Banna yet again to score immediately to keep two points between the teams. With the end of the game drawing close Connaire Harrison scored a superb point to leave Glasdrumman only a single point down, but with four minutes to go Clann Na Banna went straight through on goal and but for a brilliant save from Ronan McDowell the game was over. Glasdrumman drew on this piece of inspiration and Declan Grant forced the ball over the bar for another Glasdrumman point to level the game with two minutes remaining. With tensions running high on and off the pitch, Cormac Murphy pointed in injury time to edge Glasdrumman in front again but again Clann Na Banna came back to score a final point well into injury time to leave the final score Glasdrumman 0-13 Clann Na Banna 1-10, and both teams have it all to again.
Ronan McDowell was strong in goals, his handling faultless and he again pulled off a magnificent save to keep Glasdrumman ahead at a vital time in the game. The full back line of Daniel McCartan, Brian Burns and Colm Carr played doggedly throughout, chasing Clann Na Banna down with Daniel and Brian making last ditch blocks to deny goals through the game. The half back line of Martin O'Neill, Pat Mallon and Art McCartan worked hard throughout making it hard for the Clann Na Banna forwards, and playing some good ball into the forwards. Midfielders Cormac Murphy and Declan Grant won a lot of ball in the middle of the field, pushing the team forward ,defending doggedly and taking their scores well. The half forward line of Christopher McDowell, Sean McDowell and James McDowell kept Clann Na Banna's half back line busy and helping out in defence when required. The full forward line of Christopher Cassidy, Raymond Clarke and Connaire Harrison showed for the ball well and took their scores well at important times of the game. This game could have gone either way but well done to the Glasdrumman lads for sticking in there and fighting so well to the end.

Glasdrumman : Ronan McDowell, Daniel McCartan, Brian Burns, Colm Carr, Martin O'Neill, Pat Mallon, Art McCartan, Declan Grant (0-1), Cormac Murphy (0-3), Christopher McDowell, Sean McDowell (0-1), James McDowell, Christopher Cassidy, Raymond Clarke (0-1), Connaire Harrison (0-7).
Subs used : Mark Trimble for Christopher McDowell
Subs not used : John McAteer, Conor Clerkin, Sean Cunningham, Sean McVeigh, Darren Joyce