Louth GAA club | Stabannon defeat Clans to seal place in IFC final

Stabannon Parnells have secured their place in the CTI Business Solutions Louth Intermediate Football Championship final.

A commanding performance saw them defeat Clan na Gael by 10 points at McGeough Park, Haggardstown, on Sunday evening. A big crowd had gathered in Haggardstown, and they didn’t have to wait long for drama.

READ NEXT: Louth GAA club | Stalemate between Hunterstown and Mattock in IFC clash

After a couple of early wides at both ends, it was the Clans who struck first blood in the fifth minute when Jack Callan clipped over a beautiful two-pointer to open the scoring.

Stabannon, however, were not rattled and Jack Corrigan and Dylan Shevlin quickly found their range to level matters, before Jake Corrigan nudged them ahead following a flowing move involving Bobby Butterly.

By the 12th minute, Harry Butterly had added a free, and soon after came a pivotal moment. A poor kickout from the Clans was punished as Dylan Shevlin pounced to slip in Conor Clinton, who buried to the net.

The Clans responded instantly as Jack Callan and Craig Long combined to set up Shay Coleman, who palmed to the net to raise green at the other end. When Gavin Gaffney and Liam O’Hanlon tagged on points, the margin was down to the minimum.

The Clans were playing some smart football through the hands and looked well in the contest. But just as the Dundalk side threatened, Stabannon produced another surge.

Robert Callaghan split the posts from wide before Harry Butterly landed a superb two-point free. Dylan Shevlin added another score before the break, stretching the lead to five.

Half time: Clan na Gael 1-4 Stabannon Parnells 1-9

If the first half was competitive, the second was anything but. Stabannon emerged with real intent and tightened their grip with a relentless spell of scoring.

Clinton, Butterly and Padraig Reynolds were all on target inside the opening 15 minutes of the half, while Shevlin and Colm Giggins piled on further punishment.

The Clans, by contrast, kicked a series of wides, their first score of the half not arriving until the 56th minute when Liam O’Hanlon pointed a free.

By then, Stabannon were out of sight, 1-16 to 1-5 clear. Seán O’Hanlon did add another consolation late on.

In truth, Stabannon’s energy, movement and accuracy told the story. They forced errors from Clans’ kickouts, punished mistakes with ruthless efficiency, and shared the scores impressively across their forwards.

Stabannon now have the opportunity to lift the Seamus Flood Cup for the first time since 1989 and will take on either Hunterstown Rovers or Mattock Rangers in the final.

Full-time: Clan na Gael 1-6 Stabannon Parnells 1-16.

Clan na Gael: Seán Smith; Gavin Gaffney (0-1), Craig Callan, Robbie Curran; Paul Crewe, Craig Long, Conall McKeever; Gerard Curran, Conor Noonan (c); Michael McDonnell, Liam O'Hanlon (0-2, 2f), Jack Callan (0-2, 1 tp); Billy Smith, Shay Coleman (1-0), Seán O'Hanlon (0-1).

Subs: Brian McDonnell on for Shane Carroll (44'), Aodhan Kirk on for Michael McDonnell (44'), John Byrne on for Craig Long (49').

Stabannon Parnells: Michael Lynch; Johnny McGee, Colm Giggins (c) (0-1), Daniel Clinton; Richard Rogers, Bobby Butterly, Alan Reynolds; Harry Butterly (0-6, 2f, 1tp), Ryan Shevlin; Robert Callaghan (0-1), Seán Reynolds, Jake Corrigan (0-2); Conor Clinton (1-1), Dylan Shevlin (0-3), Padraig Reynolds (0-2).

Subs: Barry McCoy on for Dylan Shevlin (46'), Ryan Halpenny on for Padraig Reynolds (56'), Mark Byrne on for Bobby Butterly (61'), Niall Fanning on for Robert Callaghan (62').

Referee: Damian Connor (St. Patricks).