Sheelan Shield Roundup: Clan na Gael impresses as semi-finalists revealed

Paddy Sheelan Shield

COOLEY KICKHAMS 3-11 ROCHE EMMETS 0-10

The grounds committee of Fr McEvoy Park deserved huge credit for being able to play at all a few week's ago. With the day’s fixtures all wiped out with the rain and waterlogged pitches, Cooley Kickhams’ win over Roche was the only game of that weekend to get the go ahead.

The stand-alone fixture began with Cooley Kickhams forty yards man Mickey Carron firing home, while newcomer Brian Boyle all but put the one sided contest to bed with the second. 

At half time it was 2-8 to 0-1, and Jamie O’Hare, the Roche manager, called upon experienced veterans Barry O’Hare and Kevin Callaghan to save face in the North Louth derby. The duo duly did but Michael Rafferty still plundered home another goal for the worthy winners.

COOLEY KICKHAMS: Neil Gallagher; MJ Hanlon (0-1), Ian Arnold, Gerry Malone; Sean Hoey, Fearghal Malone, Sean White (0-1); Richard Brennan, Eddie Kirwan; Enda O'Neill (0-3), Michael Carron (1-1), Cian Connor (0-3), Brian Boyle (1-1), Michael Rafferty (1-0), Peter Thornton. SUBS: Ronan McBride (0-1), Darren Marks, Cormac Malone, Thomas McCarragher, Cian McGuinness, Aaron Carolan, Thomas Fearon, Joseph Quinn.

ROCHE EMMETS: Dan O’Connell; Dermot Carthy, Aidan Grant, Adam McKay; Sean Dawe, James McDonnell, Harry O’Connell; Glen Stewart, David O Connell; Jack McKay, Eugene Murray, Mark Murphy; Fionn Connolly, Shane Byrne (0-5), Mark Byrne (0-1). Subs: Barry O’Hare (0-3), Caoimhín Reilly, Liam Carthy, Kevin Callaghan (0-1), Conor Callan, Luke O’Connell, Finn Conlon.

SEAN O’MAHONY’S 1-11 DREADNOTS 0-11

On a great night of football, despite the rain swept conditions on the Point Road, both sides gave it socks, but it was the home side Sean O’Mahony’s that got the win over Dreadnots to advance to the Paddy Sheelan Shield semi-final.

Terry Kelly was the difference on the wet and slippy night and his goal past Louth U20 panelist Dylan Cassidy proved to be the winning one. Craig Shevlin fought gamely for the visitors but could not bridge that goal.

The entertaining affair was full of excellent scores on both sides, Tiernan Cassidy and Ciaran Finnegan swapping eye catching points but the hosts prevailed to now take on Cooley Kickhams for a place in the final.

SEAN O’MAHONY’S: Conor Finnegan; Dean Carroll, Ciaran Jamieson, Callum Smith; Robbie Clarke, Cain McEvoy, Oisín Breen; Tiernan Cassidy (0-2), Cris O’Neill, Sean Cassidy, Terry Kelly (1-5), Brian McGuirk (0-1); Mark Treanor, Conor Martin, Ben McLaughlin (0-3). SUBS: Thomas Rice, John O’Brien, Vinny Smith, Daniel Crawley, Ciaran Redmond, Conor Mackin.

DREADNOTS: Dylan Cassidy; Alex Bolger, David O'Brien, Joshua Kirwan; Aaron Scullion, Barry Faulkner (0-2), Cathal Lynch (0-1); Conor Faulkner, Cian McEvoy (0-1); Sam Reilly, Ciaran Finnegan (0-2), Conor Shevlin; Padraig Rath; Craig Shevlin (0-4, 0-2 frees) Calum Skinnader. SUBS: Fergal McGuigan, Dean Hyland (0-1), Ronan Califf.

HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS 1-7 ST KEVIN’S 0-12

In a thrilling and hard-fought match, St Kevin's emerged victorious against Hunterstown Rovers on Good Friday to reach the Paddy Sheelan Shield semi-final. 

From the beginning, the hosts stormed into the game, Daithi Carroll scoring a goal within the first five minutes, putting pressure on their visitors. The Philipstown lads, however, refused to be disheartened and quickly regrouped.

Despite a few early wides, Evan Maher, Cian Callan, and Patrick Clarke found their form, successfully converting their chances and narrowing the gap. The first half ended with St Kevin's trailing by a mere two points, on a scoreline of 0-5 to 1-4. 

As the second half commenced, St Kevin's returned to the pitch with renewed vigour. Callan started the scoring, converting two crucial frees. Colm Donnelly’s side attempted to regain their momentum, but Thomas MacNamee’s men were relentless.

Callan's outstanding performance must be noted, with the forward scoring an impressive six points, all from placed balls. Rovers can tip their hat to Glen Matthews for keeping them in touch but Kevin’s comeback would not be denied.

ST KEVIN’S: Danny Crosbie; Dylan Maher, Seanie Crosbie, Sean Powderly; Niall Gregory, Shane Meade, Darren McMullan; Brian Callaghan (0-1), Evan Maher (0-2); Caolan McMullen, TJ Doheny (0-1),  Adam Cromwell; Cian Callan (0-6 frees), Lee Crosbie, Patrick Clarke (0-1). SUBS: Jack Stokes (0-1) for Adam Cromwell, Keelan Maher for Caolan McMullan, Paul Duff for Patrick Clarke, Aaron Roche for Niall Gregory.

HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS: Niall Carrie; Martin Lennon, Finn Kelly, Conor Reaburn; Jamie O’Callaghan, Alan Landy, Paddy Taaffe (0-1); Marc Ward, Tony McKenna; Aaron Levins, Daithi Carroll (1-0), James Russell; Paul Carrie (0-1), Dean Burns (0-1), Glen Matthews (0-4). SUBS Caolan McCabe, David Finn for Landy, Peter Reid.

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CLAN NA GAEL 2-12 O'RAGHALLAIGHS 1-7

Clan Na Gael made light work of O’Raghallaigh’s last week and set up a semi-final date with St Kevin’s in the Paddy Sheelan Shield.

Goals from Billy Smith and substitute Mark McGeown were always going to be enough against the low scoring visitors. Smith clocked up four points also in an impressive showing, along with Robbie Curran’s placed efforts.

Rag’s winger Connell Rice did find the net in the opening half, but the home side were scoring that bit easier and pulled away after the break. The Clans successfully reduced Ben Rogan and Ruairí Moore to only three points after the break to advance.

CLAN NA GAEL: Cillian Rice; Craig Callan, Gerry Curran (0-1), Brian Mc Donnell; Jack Callan, Craig Long (0-1), Paul Gore; Robbie Curran (0-2), Conor Noonan; Paul Crewe (0-1), Shane Carroll (0-1), Jason Cullen; Ciaran O Connor (0-1), Billy Smith  (1-4), Gavin Gaffey. SUBS: Mark Mc Geown (1-0), Paul Gartlan, Sean Smyth, John Byrne, Liam O Hanlon. 

O’RAGHALLAIGH’S: Joe Flanagan; James Morgan, Alan Doyle, Matthew Moore; Scott Byrne, James Smith (0-1), Joe Meehan; Eoin Moore, Ben Sweeney; Connell Rice (1-0), Jack Carr, Ewan Sweeney; Pearse Rice, Ben Rogan (0-3), Ruairí Moore (0-2). SUBS: Tim Curran, Chris Smith, Gordon Yorke.