Conleith McGrogan, Newbridge, and Sean McCarthy, Clann Éireann, in AIB Ulster Club SFC action. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
AIB Ulster Club SFC Quarter-Final
Clann Éireann 0-14 Newbridge 0-12
By Michael Wilson at Celtic Park
Clann Éireann advanced to an Ulster Senior semi-final against Errigal Ciaran after late points from Ryan Owens and Jack Conlon put the seal on a dramatic victory over Derry champions Newbridge in an entertaining quarter-final at Celtic Park.
Oisin Doherty's third point of the day for Newbridge had levelled the game for a sixth time with only three minutes remaining before Owens edged Ruairi Lavery's men back in from with only one minute left. Injury time saw the Derry club throw caution to the wind and streamed forward. but that left the gap from which Conlon grab the insurance score after a turnover deep in his own half.
It was a harsh finish for a Newbridge team who had contributed fully to a great spectacl, but Clann Éireann just about deserved to edge through to a semi-final meeting with Tyrone's Errigal Ciaran.
With both sides setting up as they had in their respective county final victories, there was more than the odd similarity in an opening half that saw 14 fist half scores from 12 different scorers.
Armagh county forward Conor Turbitt was the main threat to Newbridge hopes with Killian Burke the O'Leary's defender detailed to curtail the influence of 2024 All Star's influence, not an easy task as the opening 30 odd minutes unfolded into an open encounter.
And with Odhran McGlone picking up 'Footballer of the Year' nominee Barry McCambridge and Derry talisman Conor Doherty being shadowed by Clann's Sean McCarthy, the pitch was littered with fascinating individual battles.
The Armagh threat was evident as early as the opening minute when McCambridge teed up Turbitt for the game opening score which had the Clanns ahead for only a few seconds as Conleth McGrogan levelled before two minutes had elapsed.
With neither team pausing for breath, that would be the only time in the half the sides were level but three points was as far ahead as the Armagh team managed before the break.
Points from Conlan and Ruairi McDonald had Ruairi Lavery's team 0-3 to 0-1 up on six minutes before a brilliant run and point from Callum McGrogan made it a one point game again. It remained that way as the team traded blows, Shea Heffron and Turbitt on target for Clann Éireann while Oisin Doherty and Mark McGrogan replied, but at 0-6 to 0-5 there was still very little between them.
A strong finish to the half saw Newbridge keeper James Gribben forced into an excellent near post save from McDonald's first time effort but scores from Ryan Owens and Conlan did help the Armagh men to an 0-8 to 0-6 interval lead, after a late point from Conor Doherty
If the end of the opening half was about Clann Éireann, then the start of the second was about Newbridge, and specifically Conor Doherty.
After rounding off the first half scoring, the Newbridge talisman opened the second and was then fouled to allow his young brother Oisin to bring the sides level at 0-8 apiece.
It got even better when another Oisin Doherty free edged Newbridge in front for the first time in the game on 34 minutes, but the lead lasted only minutes as McDonald levelled.
From there it was tit-for-tat and the sides would be level six times over the course of the match. A great Conor Grogan point had Newbridge ahead at 0-10 to 0-9 but once Conlon had levelled with his third of the day, the O'Leary's were on the back foot.
McConville and Oisin Doherty (f) traded scores for 0-11 apiece before a huge Tiernan Kelly point on 52 minutes edged the Orchard County mean ahead for the first time since the 32nd minute. Another Oisin Doherty free levelled for a sixth time, but coming down the home straight, it was Clann Éireann who found the extra gear to advance to an intriguing semi-final against Errigal Ciaran.
Scorers for Clann Éireann: Jack Conlon 0-4, Conor Turbitt 0-2 (1f), Ruairi McDonald 0-2 (1f), McConville 0-2, Ryan Owens 0-2, Tiernan Kelly 0-1, Shea Heffron 0-1.
Scorers for Newbridge: Oisin Doherty 0-4 (4fs), Conor Doherty 0-2, Conleth McGrogan 0-1, Callum McGrogan 0-1, Mark McGrogan 0-1, Conor McAteer 0-1, Conor McGrogan 0-1, Conor McAteer 0-1.
Clann Éireann: Eoghan Mulholland, Shea Heffron, Micheal O'Shea, Conan O'Carroll, Barry McCambridge, Sean McCarthy, Ryan Owens, Tiernan Kelly, Conor McCarville, Jack Conlon, Daniel Magee, Adam Kelly, Ruairi McDonald, Conor Turbitt, Emmet Magee.
Subs: Rioghan Meehan for A Kelly, 37mins; Dan McCarthy for D Magee, 40mins; Aodhran McConville for R McDonald, 54mins; Redmond French for R Owens, 61mins.
Newbridge: James Gribben, Ciaran Brooks, Killian Burke, Mark McGrogan, Mark Doherty, Patrick McMullan, Conor McGrogan, Conor Doherty, Conleth McGrogan, Shea Young, Callum McGrogan, Conor McAteer, Odhran McGlone, Shane McGrogan, Oisin Doherty.
Subs: Jude Diamond for O McGlone, 50mins; Aidan McGlone for S Yong, 61mins.
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down).
