Commins' goal helps Mary's come from behind as Clans fall to sixth straight loss

Division One

Clan na Gael 0-11 Ardee St. Mary's 1-16

Cian Commins' 47th minute goal helped Ardee St. Mary's to the top of Division One on Thursday night.

The Deesiders had found themselves 0-9 to six down at the break and 0-11 to 0-7 in arrears early in the second half, but came with a scoring spurt, hitting 1-9 to no-reply across the closing period to earn a fifth win from seven league games.

And the Páirc Mhuire men remain unbeaten in the division, while the hosts, Clan na Gael, suffered a sixth consecutive loss last night, despite giving an improved account of themselves.

Minus Billy Smith and Conall McKeever - among others - Mark McCann's men had good performers in the Curran brothers, Robbie and Gerard, while Mark McGeown led their attack well, but, with the game firmly within their grasp, Clans offered up possession cheaply on a recurrent basis and Mary's made them pay.

The Ardee men were slack for much of the opening half, a strong finish to the half from Clan na Gael giving them a four-point cushion at one juncture. Even the normally so reliable Darren Clarke had an off night in front of the target as the visitors seemed to be in serious trouble.

Yet they found a way, Conor Gillespie catching the eye during their comeback run, rattling the goalframe, before Commins' low drive evaded Cillian Rice in the Clans goal.