O RAGHALLAIGHS 0-9 CLAN NA GAEL 0-6

O Raghallaighs were crowned Louth Intermediate Football Champions when they overcame Clan na Gael in the decider at Haggardstown on Sunday.

The Drogheda side made up for the bitter disappointment of losing last year's final to deservedly claim the Seamus Flood Cup thanks to an impressive team display.

The Dundalk men began in determined fashion and the impressive Paul Martin opened the scoring after a minute, but at the other end Barry Flanagan picked up possession and fired over the equaliser.

The Clans enjoyed a good spell of possession and two more well taken points from Martin on 9 and 17 minutes had them two in front. However, they were unable to take full advantage of their superiority thanks to some wayward shooting and good defensive play.

Barry Flanagan set up Ben Rogan for a point before Martin added his fourth of the half to make it o-4 to 0-2 on 20 minutes.

Ruairi Moore pointed on 22 minutes while a speculative Barry Flanagan shot was palmed away by Gavin Neary. However, O Raghallaighs got their reward for a lively finish to the half when Moore landed a free to make it four points apiece at the break.

The Drogheda men continued where they left off at the start of the second half when Craig McEnteggart and Ben Rogan found space to go 0-6 to 0-4 in front after 38 minutes.

Paul Martin replied for Clans but on 41 minutes Barry Flanagan kicked over from a tight angle for a point.

With Clans unable to create any space in attack, the O Raghallaighs continued to fare better in the conditions and on 47 minutes Ben Rogan landed a 30m free to make it 0-8 to 0-5.

The game began to open up in the final ten minutes but the Drogheda side's ability to restrict the Clans forward line saw them remain on top. However, the Dundalk men were still in contention and when Mark McGeown fired over a 30m free on 53 minutes they were just two points behind.

However, they suffered a blow soon after when Paul Gore was given a red card for a clash with Graham Leech after a melee followed a challenge by JJ Quigley.

The Clans refused to give up and almost got in for goal when Paul Martin won possession in front of goal, but in typical fashion the O Raghallaighs defence swarmed to prevent him getting a shot in.

It was clear at that stage that the O Raghallaigsh were not going to be denied and in injury time Ruairi Moore found space and slotted over a simple point to clinch a memorable victory.

O RAGHALLAIGHS: Joseph Flanagan; Stephen Murphy, James Moonan, Graham Murray; Graham Leech, Cathal McGinty, Alan Doyle; Robert Mulroy, Ciaran Brassil; Ruairi Moore 0-3, Craig McEnteggart 0-1, Tony Grifferty; Ben Rogan 0-3, Chris Smith, Barry Flanagan 0-2. Subs: Joseph Rogan for Grifferty (h/t), Andrew Rogan for R Mulroy (40), Dean Byrne for C McGinty (45).

CLAN NA GAEL: Gavin Neary; Derek English, Mark McCann, Paul Gartland; Paul Crewe, Gary Hoey, Daryll O'Hanlon; Ray McCabe, Billy Smith; Drew Duffy, Paul Gore, Stephen Fitzpatrick; Mark McGeown 0-1 (1fr), Colm Finnegan, Paul Martin 0-5. subs: Conall McKeever for D Duffy (38), Michael McDonell for D O'Hanlon (38), JJ Quigley for C Finnegan.

REFEREE: Stephen Johnston

[Report: Eunan Whyte - Wee County News]