Singing in the rain at decider

Clann na nGael finished the year on a winning note when they captured the A FL Div 4 title on Friday night at rain-lashed Pairc Tailteann at the expense of Meath Hill. The Athboy side brought the Malachy Thompson Memorial Cup home for their efforts and both teams can look forward to playing in a higher grade in 2010. Once again the pitch at the Navan venue was in excellent condition and it hardly even looked like a game had been played when referee Jack Gordon ended the contest shortly after 9.0. Gordon was kept busy throughout as the action unfolded at pace and both centre-backs, Mickey Byrne of Meath Hill and Graham Geraghty of Clann na nGael, may have set some sort of a record in the opening minute. They were each cautioned (yellow card) after only 25 seconds following an exchange. Clann na nGael shaded the first-half exchanges on the scoreboard and were ahead by 1-2 to 0-2 at the interval after tallying nine wides. The rain that lashed the venue made handling difficult for both teams and contributed to an enormous amount of loose ball, which neither team could capitalise on. Damien Tuite's goal in the 13th minute gave Clann na nGael that edge and the points arrived from full-forward Gary Woods early and late in the half. Meath Hill enjoyed a dominant spell midway through the half and had what looked like a gilt-edged goal chance parried when Trevor Wallace got a good touch to Barry Kieran's first-time shot off the ground after only six minutes. Soon after that effort, Jackie Maguire opened Meath Hill's account from a free and Keith Ginnity got them off the mark from play in the 20th minute. Clann na nGael were almost in for a goal within a minute of the resumption. Following a fine move, Benny Murray's shot was blocked by Brian Hanratty at the expense of '45' and that was the closest the winners came to registering in the third-quarter. Meath Hill worked hard for scores, but found it difficult to hit the target and managed only a Tadhg Boyle point from a free after four minutes. Maguire added another point 14 minutes later which reduced the deficit to the minimum, 0-4 to 1-2. Meath Hill laboured in their attempts at parity and managed seven wides before Woods opened Clann na nGael's second-half account from a free with only two minutes remaining. That was sufficient to secure the title. While the game was a low scoring affair, the large crowd was well entertained by two teams who gave their all in very difficult conditions. Meath Co Committee official Cathal Seoige presented the Malachy Thompson Memorial Cup to Gary Woods. Clann na nGael - Trevor Wallace; Tomas Carrigy, Gary Mangan, Gavin Browne; Darren Kelly, Graham Geraghty, John Sheehan; Jamie Shaw, Brian Duffy; Shane McAnarney, Anthony Farrell, Michael Priest; Damien Tuite (1-0), Gary Woods (0-3, two frees), Benny Murray. Subs - Ciaran Smith for Murray 38 mins, John Daly for Tuite, Barry Higgins for Priest both 52m. Meath Hill - Mark Kearns; Brendan Kearns, Aodhan Matthews, Niall Tully; Carl Parge, Michael Byrne, Brian Hanratty; Tadgh Boyle (0-1, free), Keith Ginnity (0-1); Barry Kieran, Lee Breslin, Donnchadh Boyle; Mark Tully, Paddy Owens, Jackie Maguire (0-2, frees). Referee - Jack Gordon (Walterstown)