Callum O’Neill, Clan na Gael, and Emmet Magee, Clann Éireann, in Armagh SFC Final action. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Armagh SFC Final
Clann Eireann 3-13 Clan na Gael 0-15
By Steve Malone at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds
Clann Éireann are Armagh senior club champions again, having last won it in 2021, after beating Lurgan rivals Clan na Gael in a high scoring thriller.
The game was only four minutes old when Clann Éireann grabbed the opening goal. It was clever engineering between Turbitt and scorer Emmett Magee, because Magee originally called a mark, which was turned to a free. The forward took it quickly playing one-two with the All-Star nominee before Magee lashed into the surprised Clan na Gael goal.
The Lurgan Blues had initially taken the lead through county men Shane McPartlan and Stefan Campbell, but Magee’s goal added a bit more zip to Clann Eireann’s stride.
All-Star nominee Conor Turbitt (0-8) was on fire and was the only option for the Man of the Match award. He and GPA Player of the Year nominee Barry McCambridge kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Ronan McMahon’s men kept battling and McPartlan, Campbell and Jack Lavery closed the gap for the Blues, even with Sam McClamon black-carded for 10 minutes.
Then on 31 minutes before the break Turbitt made a lung-bursting 45 metre run, with the opposition giving chase, his weighted fisted pass to McCambridge was inch-perfect, who without breaking stride passed backwards to Jack Conlon. With his back to goal, Conlon somehow hooked his shot into the far corner of the net, leaving keeper Ryan Conway scrambling.
That gave Clann Éireann a healthy 2-6 to 0-6 lead at half-time and they needed to shut goals out to keep their Lurgan opponents at bay, which they did.
Campbell and McPartlan fired over some fine scores, but at other end Turbitt was sensational and that kept Clann Eireann on the front foot. Clan na Gael were doing enough to hang on, but they were dealt a blow when Michael McConville was red carded with time almost up.
But there was more to come from Lavery’s men as with 63 minutes player captain Conor McConville punched into the net to ensure it was he lifting the Gerry Fegan Cup.
Clann Éireann will play the Derry champions in the first round of the Ulster Club Championship which takes place tomorrow (Sunday) between defending All-Ireland champions Glen and Newbridge.
Clann Éireann: Eoghan Mulholland, Shea Heffron, Michael O’Shea, Conan O’Connell, Barry McCambridge (0-1), Sean McCarthy, Ryan Owens, Tiernan Kelly, Conor McConville (1-0), Jack Conlon (1-1), Daniel Magee, Adam Kelly, Ruairi McDonald (0-2), Conor Turbitt (0-8, 2fs), Emmett Magee (1-1).
Subs: Dan McCarthy for A Kelly (38’), Rioghan Meehan (0-01) for D Magee (38’), John Magee for J Conlon (42’), Reamonn Frinse for C O’Carroll (63’).
Clan na Gael: Ryan Conway, Sam McClarnon, Shea McCann, Jack Lavery (0-1), Niall Loney, Michael McConville (0-1), Jamie Brady, Diarmuid O’Hagan, Shane McPartlan (0-6, 5fs), Brendan O’Hagan (0-1,f), Niall Henderson, Callum O’Neill, Malachi Ward, Stefan Campbell (0-5, 3fs), Diarmaid Loney.
Subs: Cian France (0-1) for B O’Hagan (42’), Matthew Lennon for D O’Hagan (42’).
Referee: Paudie Hughes (Crossmaglen).
