Reports November 08

Solid home display for Under 8's	November 30th '08
Under 8 Division
Cland United U8 2 Newbridge Town 1
Newbridge travelled to Doctors road on Sunday morning for what was to be a close entertaining game of football. Newbridge got off to a better start from a well taken corner that got an unfortunate deflection off a Clane player into his own net. This served Clane well because they woke up and began to chase the game with some fine passing play, resulting in them getting the equaliser from Connor Walsh. The second half started with Clane doing most of the running with excellent performances from Jack McGrory and Shane Marron in defence who kept the Newbridge attack well and truly frustrated. Connor Walsh in the central midfield role showed the way for Clane with a man of the match performance. He took his second goal well with a determined run from the half way line, going past four Newbridge players and calmly around the keeper to stroke it home. Clane came close a couple of more times from good passing play by Sam Donavan, Evan Heary and Eoin Walsh but the wind must have changed direction just at the crucial moments as the shots were taken.

Under 7's share the points.	November 15th '08
Under 7 Division
Cland United U7 1 Kill 1
The game started as it finished with both sides putting each other under constant pressure. Early saves from Kian Cleary in the Clane goal kept the sides level. Great midfield performances by Liam Wright, Andrew Farrell , Roisin Maguire and man of the match Sean Connolly were the cornerstone of all Clane’s good work. Only for super defending by Sean Wosser, Eoin O’Brien and David Hepple in the first half the away team may have gone in front.   It took until the fourth quarter for the duck to be broken and it came from a superbly struck shot by Andrew Farrell to put the home side ahead. Clane held the lead until two minutes from the end when Kill struck the equaliser to earn a well deserved draw. A thrilling game for all who travelled to watch.

Under 10 Premier Report	November 15th '08
Under 10 Premier Division
Cland United U10p 3 Newbridge Town 2
On a dry November morning at Doctor’s Road and, for a second week in a row, Clane United hosted Newbridge Town. This week it was the turn of Newbridge Town Whites. This was always going to be a tight and close game as our first match of the season was away to the Whites and finished a 1-1 draw. Clane’s captain, Caolan Smith, opted to play down the hill for the first half. The opening few minutes provided plenty of opportunities for both teams. The home side settled quickly and after five minutes of play they took the lead when Kyle Hussy found the net with a superb strike. It wasn’t long after that when Tadgh Montgomery found himself one-on-one with the Newbridge keeper and put the home side 2 up. This game was only warming up and Newbridge responded almost immediately when Evan Kavanagh put the ball past Josh Ntim in the Clane goals. Daniel Hahn and Ross Kinsella, playing on the right side for the home team, displayed some nice touches and through-balls to their forwards. Their efforts paid off and just before the interval Kyle Hussy laid off a neat pass to Brian Corbett who shot from 25 yards to leave the tie 3-1 at the break.   The second half began with the introduction of Adam Donovan, Brian MacLoughlin and Nathanial Harris and it was the fresh legs of these three players that gave Clane United the advantage. Newbridge refused to give up and within 10 minutes of play Owen Donnelly found the net to leave the score 3-2. It was the excellent play from Colm O’Sullivan, Owen O’Loughlin and Caolan Smith who on many occasions had to dig deep to prevent Newbridge from getting the equalizer. The match continued with some fine displays of football from both teams. Clane’s full-forward, Tadgh Montgomery, had some good efforts on goal only to be narrowly missed. The match ended 3-2 to the home side.   Best for Clane were Tadgh Montgomery, Kyle Hussy and Brian Corbett. Thanks to Newbridge for a sporting game.

Clane Second team report.	November 9th '08
Londis Maynooth Division 1
Portlaoise Celtic 7 Clane United (2nd) 2
Jim Mahoney had a couple fo chances early on in the game to settle the Clane side but could find no way past keeper Colm Rochford. The home side took an early lead when Ronan Molloy reacted quickest to Sean Browns cross to nod his header past the Clane keeper. A Mick O'Malley free caused consternation in the Celtic rearguard and the ball was eventually bundled over the line. Both John Breen and Mark O'Sullivan, at the heart of the Portlaoise defence, were called upon to hurl themselves to snuff out Clane's raids forward. Eventually Celctic retook the lead on the twenty minute mark when Brendan LaCumber, breaking onto the ball through the middle, careered throught the Clane cover before slotting his low shot into the bottom-left hand corner. Celtic came agonisingly close in the next ten minutes to stretching their lead but wasteful finishing ruined some clever approach work. A stunning free from dead ball specialist Derek Dwyer levelled matters once again after 31 minutes but Clanes celebrations were short lived  as the home side retook the lead a minute later. Brian Farrell pounced on a loose pass before laying off a finely judged pass to Ger King who restored Celtics lead, slotting the ball under the Clane keeper. Dean Roche notched Cletics fourth after rounding the keeper despite appeals for offside by the visitors. Celtics John Breen stood firm repelling all Clane attacks before the home side again broke upfield and further extended their lead through Brian Farrell. Clanes response was once again cut short by an exsquisite volley courtesy of Brendan LaCumber and the home side soon rounded off the scoring when a great Dean Roche lob from the halfway line gave the Clane keeper no chance.

Clane U14's clinch Cup tie.	November 8th '08
Under 14 Goodson Cup
Clane United U14P 3 Abbeyleix 1
Clane United booked their place in round 4 of the Goodson Cup today. In atrocious weather conditions at Doctors Road. It was Clane who looked far superior in the opening minutes with two attempts on goal denied by the high winds. However, it was not long before Dylan Hannon calmly found the net to give Clane a deserved lead. It was very difficult for either side to play their normal game and it was always going to be a battle to keep control of the ball in such conditions but Clane held their shape and battled on regardless and just before half time they were rewarded with their second when Scott Hannon linked with Shane Ryan, playing centre midfield and made the perfect pass to Killian Patchell to give him a run up the right wing. Patchell, ever aware, lofted the ball over the penalty spot and it was pounced on by Dean Callan who gave Clane the second. Just before half time Clane lost Andrew Power who was having a super game at left midfield. Power was replaced by Connor Gibbons. Abbeyleix came out fighting in the second half and it was only minutes before they were awarded a corner which was superbly taken by Mark Cahill and Martin Scully put the ball past the Clane keeper Peter Hogarty. This was just what was needed to ignite the fire in the Clane team and they were relentless in their attacks on goal for the next fifteen minutes all of which were well handled by Abbeyleix Keeper Paddy O’Keeffe. Abbeyleix had their fair share of opportunities on goal but Clane’s back line of Dean Slattery, Karl Cleary, Stephen Byrne and Peter Hogarty were rock solid and they had no intention of relinquishing their place in the next round. It was Cleary who took the ball from the back line and went on run up the right wing and found Patchell supporting. Cleary continued on to receive the ball back and sent in a lovely cross to the back post to give Dylan Hannon his second and Clane’s third. Minutes later Hannon again had an opportunity to find the back of the net only to be judged to be offside.  Clane United were encouraged by their loyal supporters, and very loyal they were to stand on the line in such bad weather, to the see out this game comfortable winners. Best for Abbeyleix: Mark Scully, Mark Cahill, Brian Kelly. Paddy O’Keeffe and Sean Murphy Best for Clane: Karl Cleary, Dylan Hannon, Dean Callan and Andrew Power

Under 10 Premier Report	November 8th '08
Under 10 Premier
Clane United U10P 2 Newbridge Town 2
Newbridge Town Blues Premier side were the visitors to Doctor’s Road on a damp and windy morning. The home team opted to play with the breeze in the first half and right from the start were looking sharper and hungrier than their opponents. Clane’s mid-field players, Owen O’Loughlin, Brian Corbett and Brian McLoughlin played some excellent football but were denied by a solid Newbridge defence. With 10 minutes gone the visitors began to settle and put the home side under pressure. This pressure paid off and with a nice move down the right side which found Thomas Tobin for Newbridge who placed the ball into the top corner of the net. From the tip-off Clane’s forwards were determined to pull one back. Ross Kinsella linked up with Nathanial Harris who had a shot at goal but was kicked out for a corner. Clane’s corner kick was headed clear but only as far as Adam Donovan who placed a lovely ball back into the 6 yard box. This caused a lot of confusion for the Newbridge defence and ended up in the net to leave the game 1-1. The match ebbed and flowed in both directions but it was Clane’s mid-fielder Brian McLoughlin who took advantage of a breaking ball and with a low hard shot to the corner of the net put the home team in the lead again. With two minutes remaining in the first half James Byrne from Newbridge beat the Clane keeper to leave the match 2-2 at the break.   After the interval the game started at a high tempo with both teams looking for the winner. The game developed into this pattern for most of the second half. Clane introduced Daniel Hahn in to the middle of the field who linked up beautifully with Kyle Hussey and Tadgh Montgomery in the forwards but could not break through a strong Newbridge defence. The visitors were excellent at quick break-aways and the home back three of Adam Donovan, Colm O’Sullivan and Caolan Smith had to dig deep on many occasions to prevent them from scoring.   This was a very entertaining game from two well matched teams. Each player gave 100% with both teams creating many chances in this fast flowing game. The match ended 2-2 which was a fair result on the day. Best for Clane with a great performance was Caolan Smith and Gavin Maher for Newbridge Town. Well done to all.

Under 11's - Points Shared	November 8th '08
Under 11 Premier
Athy Town 1 Clane United U11 1
On Saturday Athy Town hosted Clane Utd in an under 11 premier league match.  Athy started the better but Clane stood up to the challenge and they got the first chance when Ethan O'Donoghue won the ball in the middle and put Michael Raheen away down the left. He skipped by one player and tried to dink the ball over the keeper but the keeper got his hand to it and pushed it away. The two teams were cancelling each other out in defence but the midfield trio of Jamie Warren, Cormac Judge and Robbie Hyland were starting to get on top. Half way through the first half Athy broke away and were unlucky not to score when they hit the post and Clane were then reduced to ten men with ten minutes to go to half time. The second half started with a bit more bite as Clane had to dig deep. Ten minutes into the half Clane went on the counter attack and were rewarded with the opening goal when Cormac Palmer broke free and had a shot that beat the keeper and Michael Raheen came haring into the box and stook it into the onion sack. After that it was all Athy as they started attacking on all fronts and eventually they got their goal to make it one all. It was backs to the wall for Clane from there on in as all the Clane players gave 110%. Athy bombarded the Clane rear guard and some fantastic tackling and blocking by Clane kept them in the game. Athy got three more chances when they had one shot saved by Patrick O'Shiochru and the other two blocked by Robert Phillips and Ross Fitzsimons who through themselves in front of the ball to finish the match all square. Best for Clane were all 16 players who gave their all. Well done lads.

Under sevens hit Bush Celtic for 8.	November 8th '08
Under 7 Division
Bush Celtic 0 Clane United U7 8
It was a good game in the windy conditions but Clane proved too strong for the opposition. There were good performances all around from the Clane team and Liam Wright won the man of the match award. The goal scorers were Liam Wright (2),Sam Reily,Sean Connolly, Andrew Farrell,Kian Cleary,Davy Hepple and Tom Harron. Others who gave good performances were Adam Quinn, Roisin Maguire, Mark Kelly, Declan Kavanagh and Sean Wosser. Many thanks to the parents who travelled and gave us great support.

Quarter Final knockout for second team.	November 2nd '08
Connolly Division 1 Cup
Straffan AFC 2 Clane United (2nd) 2 (Straffan win 3-0 on penalties)
Straffan made it into the semi-finals of the Connolly Division 1 Cup with this hard earned win over near neighbours Clane United. Clane, who scored twice from the penalty spot, will be cursing their luck as they missed their first three in the shootout. Clane started very lively and had a couple of good chances early on. Ivan Touri came close after ten minutes when a ball was crossed in from Derek Dwyer and fell to Touri, who struck well but just wide of the left post. Clane were on top for most of the first half with the proverbial hatful of chances but they failed to capitalise. Straffan, against the run of play, broke down the right and caught out the Clane offside trap with Kevin Fox playing a neat one-two with Rob Stanley who then slotted the ball cooly past the visiting keeper. Five minutes into the second half after sustained pressure by Clane the won a penalty when Straffan keeper Matthew Duggan brought down Jim Mahoney in the box. Derek Dwyer stepped up and duly slotted the equaliser. Straffan got into the game a bit more, beginning to create some chances and they were rewarded in the 75th minute with a second goal. Ian Hennessy this time breaking the offside trap once more to finish well. Clane respinded immediately and won their second penalty when Ivan Touri was bowled over in the box after a corner from the right. Aran Seery made no mistake from the spot levelling the game once more at 2-2. The game went to extra time which produced no significant chances for either side but Straffan came out on top via penalties sending them into the semi-finals. Straffan were best served by Stephen McCormack, Kevin Fox, Rob Stanley and Damien McAuliffe. Best for Clane Unitd were Ivan Touri, Derek Dwyer, Keith Scully and Jack O'Brien.

Kildare Town Under 10 sparkle.	November 1st '08
Under 10 Major Division
Clane United U10M 1 Kildare Town 4
After an earlier one goal defeat to Kidare, the Clane boys were eagerly anticipating this return match on their home turf on the Ballinagappagh Road, in perfect conditions. The game began with some exciting and attacking football from both sides but the defensive lines were excellent in keeping the match scoreless until the 11th. minute. Clane broke the deadlock with a fine move by Dylan McCarthy who slipped the ball into Jack Cullen inside the box. The Kildare keeper sprinted off his line but Cullen threaded the ball beautifully out of the keeper’s grasp and into the net. Clane deserved to be on top with fine performances by Luke Hawkins, Conor McLoughlin and Aran Behan in defence. Peter Doyle, pulled off what was probably the save of the year so far for Clane when a Kildare shot bounced awkwardly, glided over his head, but Doyle somehow dived backwards to pluck the ball off the line. Kildare, however, managed an equaliser five minutes before the interval when David Critchly slipped past three defenders for a soft goal. On the restart, Clane made four changes but were stunned by a Cory Whelan shot that found the net, only three minutes into the half. Clane came close to equalising more than once but Kidare pulled away with a third, and then a fourth goal by Mark McConville.  On the day, Kildare deserved their victory but the Clane squad fought hard and were unlucky not to have scored more than one. Best for the visitors were Conor McGovern and Cory Whelan, while Shane McCormack, Conor Crowley, Conor McLoughlin and Aran Behan impressed for Clane.