Walterstown survive Clann na nGael test

Walterstown advanced to the IFC quarter-finals with a 1-13 to 1-11 victory against Clann na nGael at Pairc Tailteann today.

Tom Hanley's men stayed in the game with some great scores, but they just couldn't get the better of a sometimes wasteful Walterstown side.

Walterstown established a 0-10 to 1-6 interval advantage as they tallied nine first-half wides and were rocked by the concession of a 30th minute goal against a Clann na nGael side that produced sporadic bursts of fluent football.

All Walterstown's points in that opening half arrived from play as they enjoyed a comfortable 30 minutes that was played at a relatively leisurely pace.

Sam McCabe (three), Brian O'Connell and Davy Donnellan (two each) and Aron McLoughlin Ruairi O'Dowd and Alban Corsbie claimed the points.

Clann na nGael missed a couple of goal opportunities, but managed three Darragh Swaine points (two frees), a brace from Cian Swaine and one from Luke Swaine.

Then, on the stroke of half-time a fine move saw Luke Swaine finishing to the net - it was a superb goal and a merited reward for a hardworking Clann na nGael team.

Darragh Swaine and Darragh Griffin were both involved in the build up and it left the minimum in it at the break.

However, some 30 seconds after the resumption O'Connell pointed a Walterstown free and then McCabe fired an opportunist goal as the ball bobbled around the Clann nna nGael square.

Walterstown only managed two more points for the remainder - McCabe and O'Dowd both from play, but it was enough to seal an important victory although they had to answer some serious questions that were posed by Clann na nGael.

It was similar to the opening half for Clann na nGael, they failed to convert a goal chance midway through the half and had to settle for points from Diarmuid O Donnchadha (two), Tomas Doyle, Darragh Swaine (free) and Cian Swaine.

SCORERS

Walterstown - Sam McCabe 1-4; Brian O'Connell 0-3 one free; Davy Donnellan 0-2; Ruairi O'Dowd 0-2; Alban Crosbie 0-1; Aron McLoughlin 0-1.

Clann na nGael - Luke Swaine 1-1; Darragh Swaine 0-4 three frees; Cian Swaine 0-3; Diarmuid O Donnchadha 0-2; Tomas Doyle 0-1.

TEAMS

Walterstown - John Davis; Peter Reynolds, Brian McGrane, Conor Farrelly; Alan Wall, Cathal Hennelly, Aron McLoughlin; Conor O'Sullican, Alban Crosbie; Davy Donnellan, Ruairi O'Dowd, Mark McCormack; Adam Treanor, Brian O'Connell, Sam McCabe. Subs - Paul Donnellan for Treanor and Adam Barrett for O'Sullivan both 45 mins, Ross Reynolds for D Donnellan 53m, John Geoghegan for McLoughlin 57m

Clann na nGael - Eoin Griffin; Rory Tuite, Darren Kelly, KIllian Swaine; Ryan McNamee, Jack Doherty, Micheal O Coffaigh; Cian Swaine, Diarmuid O Donnchadha; Luke Swaine, Darragh Griffin, Eamon O Donnchadha; Sam Black, Darragh Swaine, John Farrell. Subs - Philip Garry for McNamee 33 mins, Carl Kelly for D Kelly and Tomas Doyle for D Swaine both 50m, Gerry O'Sullivan for L Swaine 50m.

Referee - Stephen Dawson (Carnaross); linesmen - Patrick Clarke, Ciaran Flynn.