Clan Na Gael too strong for St Eunan’s in Paul McGirr Cup

St Eunan’s bowed out of the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Championship after suffering defeat to Armagh champions Clan Na Gael in Saturday’s preliminary round tie.

Clan Na Gael, who came into the competition among the favourites, showed their attacking quality with four goals to book their place in next weekend’s quarter-final against the Fermanagh champions.

The Donegal champions had plenty of possession throughout the contest but failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal.

JJ O’Hagan was the outstanding player for the Armagh side, earning the Man of the Match award after contributing to all four goals.

O’Hagan opened the scoring with a point before playing a key role in the first goal. He broke through the St Eunan’s defence and laid the ball off to Brogan O’Kane, who finished superbly to the net from 21 yards.

Points from Michael McConville and Aodhán Campbell extended the Clan Na Gael lead before Cathal Doherty opened St Eunan’s account.

Doherty was the main attacking threat for the Letterkenny side and came close to finding the net, only to be denied by a fine save from Eoighan Austin.

Clan Na Gael soon had their second goal when an O’Hagan effort dropped underneath the crossbar. Further points from McConville and Callum Boyd left the Armagh side firmly in control at half-time.

Doherty opened the second-half scoring for St Eunan’s, but Clan Na Gael responded with Caiden Conway and O’Hagan adding two points apiece.

St Eunan’s were given an opportunity to reduce the deficit when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Oran Daly. However, Doherty was unable to convert.

Daly (2) and Tom McElwaine added points as St Eunan’s began to make better use of their possession, with full-back Daire Gallagher also becoming increasingly influential.

However, O’Kane struck his second goal to restore Clan Na Gael's control. Points from Boyd and Caleb Kelly followed, with Senan Kavanagh replying with a two-point effort for St Eunan’s.

O’Hagan and O’Kane combined once more, with the latter completing his hat-trick to put the result beyond doubt and send Clan Na Gael through to the last eight.

Afterwards, Clan Na Gael manager Paul O’Hagan said: "We got a few vital scores in the first half, whereas St. Eunan’s probably left a few behind them, which gave us a flattering lead at half-time.

“We struggled for long periods in the second half, but thankfully were able to see the game out. Delighted with the work rate and attitude of the lads to get us over the line, and looking forward to the quarter-final."

Clan Na Gael scorers: Brogan O’Kane 3-0, JJ O’Hagan 1-3, 2f, Aodhán Campbell 0-2, Callum Boyd 0-2, Caiden Conway 0-2, Caleb Kelly 0-1, Ciaran Smyth 0-1, Michael McConville 0-1.

St Eunan’s scorers: Senan Kavanagh 0-2, 1 tpf, Oran Daly 0-2, 1f, Cathal Doherty 0-2, Tom McElwaine 0-1.

Clan Na Gael: Eoighan Austin, Oisin McConville, Diarmuid Power, Eoin McConville Burke, Aodhán Campbell, Gearoid Reid, Joel Gregory, JJ O’Hagan, Darragh O’Hagan, Luca Murray, Brogan O’Kane, Caleb Kelly, Callum Boyd, Ciaran Smyth, Michael McConville.

Subs: Caiden Conway for G. Reid, Ethan Woods for L. Murray, Zach Lavery for E. McConville Burke, Eoin McClorey for C. Smyth, Ronan McCann for C. Boyd.

St Eunan’s: Ruben Carey, David McFadden, Daire Gallagher, Eoghan Duffy, Jamie McGee, Colm Og Breathnach, Stephen McShane, Tom McElwaine, Senan Kavanagh, Zac O’Carroll, Oran Daly, Shay McCauley, Sam Tourish, Cathal Doherty, Eoghan Callaghan.

Subs: Matthew Brady for P. McCauley, Dualta Ó hEaráin for Z. O’Carroll, Ryan Doherty for C. Doherty.

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).