Clane United Football Club - Reports March 09

A brilliant cross by Jack Cullen in the tenth minute was the first sign that Clane Utd were really up for this local derby match against Sallins. Luckily for Sallins, none of the Clane lads could finish when a simple tap in would have put the home side one up. However, it was Sallins who scored after 14 minutes when Conor Dalton raced through the Clane defensive line and finished clinically with a nice shot on goal.

On the restart Sallins almost went two up when the Clane boys were saved by the post. But 10 minutes into the game and Matthew Murtagh drove a powerful shot into the Sallin’s box that narrowly went over the top.

Clane pressed for the equaliser and it almost came after 15 minutes when Jamie Campbell put through a fantastic ball into Matthew Murtagh who yet again, came very close to scoring that elusive goal. Sallins, however, had their chances too and if it wasn’t for some excellent saves by Conor Mc Loughlin in goal and determined defensive work by Jason Devine and Dylan McCarthy, Sallins might have gone further ahead.

Clane, who fought bravely to a man, made one final push with another superb through-ball by Campbell into the feet of Cullen who brought out the best in the Sallin’s keeper with a fine save.
It ended 1-0 to the visitors but the home side delivered what was probably their best performance of the season so far to very appreciative and vocal supporters. Best for Sallins was Conor Dalton while the Clane stars included Conor McLoughlin, Jack Cullen, Jamie Campbell and Matthew Murtagh.

An excellent game of soccer took place at Doctors Road today between these two teams. Although the weather conditions were not favourable both teams managed to put on a spectacular display for the spectators and from the comments afterwards they enjoyed every minute of the game.

Clane went into this game determined to take the game to Kilcullen and for the first 20 minutes they were relentless in their attack on goal and were unlucky not to be 3 goals up. Dean Callan was taken down in the box twice and both looked like fair penalties denied and Killian Patchell’s shot just went wide of the post.

As is normal, Kilcullen settled after 20 minutes and started to thread through some nice passes. Ben Merrins got on the end of one and had a clear shot on goal, but Clane’s net minder Peter Hogarty produced a spectacular save to keep the score level at half time.

The second half commenced and it took some minutes to get the memento of the first half going again but both sides got into their stride. End to end football was the order of the day and with both midfield playing some excellent football with Killian Patchell, Shane Ryan, Andy Power and Stephen Byrne playing with superb confidence, just shading the possession in Clane’s favour. With 50 minutes played Dean Callan had a shot on goal cleared off the line and the clearance fell to the feet of Clanes’ captain Stephen Byrne, who drove the ball low and hard past the Kilcullen keeper to deservedly put Clane on top.

Clane then seemed to up the tempo, if that’s possible in a game like this and Dylan Hannon and Dean Callan were proving too much for the Kilcullen defence and Callan was taken down and was awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Callan himself took the free and scored a spectacular goal into the top corner, which gave the Kilcullen keeper no chance.

Kilcullen fought back and were rewarded with a corner 5 minutes to go and the wind took the ball to Ben Merrins who scored Kilcullens first. It was Kilcullen then who went hell for leather looking for the equaliser to take this game to extra time, but the entire Clane team who had a GAA match after the game, got behind the ball to ensure no extra time was played. Clane came out worthy winners on the day with a superb team performance but great credit goes to both teams for the entertainment they provided in a great sporting manner.

A grueling and driven performance was on display at doctors road on Saturday where the Clane defenders were mostly on the back foot with keeper, Sean Byrne, pulling off a number of saves to keep Rathangan at bay dring the first half.

Best for Clane were Martin Callan, Niall Little and Emmet Malone. Best for Rathangan were Joe Breen, Aaron Jameson and Daniel Allen. A thoroughly enjoyable match for both players and spectators. Well done to both teams.

Both sides made the best of some tricky conditions as the wind swept through the Clane pitch.

After early pressure from Clane, the visitors from Athgarvan settled into the game and great deffending from Ros Fallon kept the Clane side at bay. Mid way through the first period Clane mounted a number of attacks on the Athgarvan goal through good forward running from their midfield. These advances on goal were well controlled by the two Athgarvan midfielders JB Murphy and Fergal O'Mahoney, who both had outstanding games for the away side. The midfield battle was won by Clane Utd's Sean Callan and Eoghan Maguire who scored the first Clane goal on ten minutes after some great one two passing from him and Jack Wright. Clane went to the break one nil up and deservedly so.

Clane got the better of the early exchanges in the second half with strong running from Sean Hannon, Mark Doyle, Sean Callan and Padraig Lally causing Athgarvan early problems. If it wasn't for great deffending from Gareth Cleary and Sam McCormack the visitors may have equalised. With ten minutes remaining Clane scored their second from a corner played in by Sean Callan that was met at the far post by Sam McCormack who calmly slotted home..Clane wrapped up the scoring with their third, scored by Eoghan Maguire after he split the Athgarvan defence to drive the ball home. A late chance by Athgarvan was calmly collected by Clane keeper Daniel Reilly .His resulting kick out was followed by the final whistle and a loud chear as the home side recorded a well desrved victory.Credit to both teams for the manner in which they conducted themselves.

Clane came out winners in a tightly fought game at Doctors road.

Kilcullen started the game with the breeze at their backs and put Clane under pressure but could not find an opening through some good defending by Kyle Devey. Clane battled hard through out the half and were unlucky to concede a goal with the last kick of the ball in the half.

The second half was mostly Clane and they got the equalizer they deserved with a fine shot from the edge of the box from Cormac Palmer. Clane pressed for a winner and found the net half way through the second half when Robbie Hyland broke free and calmly put the ball in the onion sack. Clane held out for their win and came away with the three points.

Best for Clane were Kyle Devey and Robbie Hyland.