By Michael McMullan

CLANN Éireann captain Conor McConville pointed to their control in tight corners this season and its importance in Sunday’s win over Derry champions Newbridge.

The sides were level five times during the second half and Clann Éireann had to dig in when Newbridge – led by Derry star Conor Doherty – overcame a two-point deficit to twice go ahead in the third quarter.

In the end, it was points from Ryan Owens and man of the match Jack Conlon that steered the Armagh side towards a semi-final showdown with Errigal Ciaran.

It was a pulsating game with both teams pouring forward with Clann Éireann’s greater speed on the break a factor in their win.

“It felt end to end,” McConville told Gaelic Life. “I just think the game in the second half, it just got stretched.

“We probably came out a wee bit slow but there’s opportunities in behind. We said that having watched the tapes (of Newbridge’s games).

“Full credit to them, they are a serious side and we had to be at our best to beat them so we’re just delighted.”

After going 0-9 to 0-8 down, there was a scoreless 10-minute spell with Barry McCambridge then moved to curb the runs of Conor Doherty that had powered Newbridge back into contention.

For McConville, they learned from last season. A collapse from position of strength saw them exit the Armagh title race at the hands of neighbours Clan na Gael.

“I think we just didn’t panic,” he said of Sunday’s second half at Celtic Park. “Last year, when we were beaten in Armagh it was because of panic.

“We’ve worked all year on game management in these situations where you go long periods without scoring. It’s just to do with all the training we’ve done all year.

“There is nothing we faced here that we don’t face at home. I’m just delighted to get over the line.”

A Conor McAteer pointed levelled the game for the sixth time with 57 minutes on the clock before two Clann Éireann points made the difference.

After Owens nosed them in front, a turnover on Newbridge’s attack to save the game led to Conlon’s clinching point in stoppage time.

When Mark Doherty was surrounded, it was McConville who snapped up his pass before McCambridge galloped upfield with McConville joining in again and Conlon applied the finish.

“I was there for the interception but I think it was ‘TK’ (Tiernan Kelly) and somebody else put the pressure on,” he modestly said of their collective pressure.

“We know in the second half with the pace we’ll have, we’re a dangerous team in the counter-attack. We’ve worked on it all year and it’s come to fruition.”

For all their success at club underage level, Clann Éireann and Errigal Ciaran have never met at the St Paul’s Minor Championship or the u-16 equivalent in Dromore.

“We’ve never actually played them,” McConville said after Sunday’s win. “Not even a friendly or anything so completely unknown. Errigal, the same as Newbridge, there is a lot we don’t know.

“We’re just going to have to watch the tape and see what they’re good at, where they have weaknesses

“Errigal have been knocking on the door in Tyrone and Ulster for a while now so we know it’s going to be a serious task ahead of us.”