Farrell & O'Rourke power St. Mary's victory
St. Mary's retained their Under 16 League 15-a-side title last Friday evening in Aughnasheelin thanks to a superlative display from Conor Farrell and Joe O'Rourke who defied everything that a powerful and better balanced Drumkeerin threw at them.
U-16 LEAGUE 15-A-SIDE FINAL
ST MARY'S KILTOGHERT 1-12
DRUMKEERIN 2-7
With only a point between the sides in injury time, the two Mary's men combined to win and score a free two minutes into injury time that finally broke the back of Drumkeerin's resistance.
In many ways, Drumkeerin looked a better team on the day but have only themselves to blame for the loss as they kicked some atrocious wides over the hour and let the Carrick men back into the game late in the first half when they appeared a beaten docket.
That the crucial score was a goal from sub Shane McCarthy, originating when a fifty was heading harmlessly wide but was kept in by the fist of Paul McGoldrick, only serves to remind Drumkeerin of how much they were in control.
McCarthy's goal tied the scores and Mary's took off with O'Rourke and Farrell in chief terrorising the Drumkeerin back-line and grabbing the scores that saw them turn a three point deficit into a five point lead midway through the second half.
It wasn't all a two-man show for the winners!
Villis Mendis and Jack De Lacy got through some tremendous work in defence while Conal McGuire made a shuddering and vital shoulder when a Drumkeerin forward was going through on goal in the second half while Thomas Glancy and Declan McGoldrick came up with huge scores at vital times.
But the reality was that O'Rourke and Farrell dominated the contest – their ability to carry the ball at speed and tear through the centre was something Drumkeerin couldn't cope with and most of Mary's scores came via the deadly duo.
Drumkeerin had a better balanced team and in James Hazlette, Ciaran Hickey and Declan Daly, they had fine defenders while Patrick & Felim McHugh at midfield were a constant source of good possession in the middle of the field.
Upfront, James Gallagher's creative play and intelligent use of the ball was a joy to watch but Drumkeerin didn't have anyone with the deadly efficiency of the Mary's men.
Joe O'Rourke got Mary's off to a bright start with a great point after a catch in the middle of the field and solo run. However, the Carrick men had a let-off when keeper Brendan Flynn made a great save to deny Adrian Forde a certain goal a minute later.
Cathal McCawley tied the scored on eight minutes after working in along the end-line to score while Conor O'Donnell had a dangerous shot blocked.
But Mary's, with a few wides of their own, saw Jack De Lacy play a one-two with sub Shane McCarthy (on for the injured Daire Farrell) before scoring a fine point. James Gallagher quickly replied with a great point from the wing after a pass from Glen Kavanagh.
Drumkeerin looked to be taking control when O'Donnell and McCawley combined to put Jamie Langan through for a well taken goal on 17 minutes but the north Leitrim men couldn't build on the goal, hitting a few costly wides.
With Mary's looking shell-shocked, they got a big break when Conor Farrell's 25th minute fifty was heading wide. Paul McGoldrick managed to fist the ball back across the goal as the Drumkeerin defence seemed to think the ball was already out and an unmarked McCarthy had an easy finish.
That goal really inspired Mary’s and despite an immediate James Gallagher free, they finished the half with points from Conor Farrell (2) and O’Rourke, all three points coming after strong runs from the Carrick pair.
That left Mary’s 1-5 to 1-3 in front at the break but they had another close escape when Conor O’Donnell almost got in to fist a long hopping ball to the net.
But Mary’s were in flying form and a great O’Rourke run down the wing led to a point while Conor Farrell popped over a free. Declan McGoldrick played a fine 1-2 with McCarthy to point on 11 minutes before Farrell and Gallagher swapped frees.
Mary’s were in complete control but their resolve was tested when James Gallagher’s quick free found centre-back Ciaran Hickey sprinting through the Mary’s defence. He off-loaded to Conor O’Donnell who blasted home a great goal to rejuvenate Drumkeerin.
Felim McHugh added a quick point but there was danger at the other end as Drumkeerin keeper Adam Woods saved a fisted effort from Thomas Glancy before Conor Farrell converted a free.
Drumkeerin kept pressing forward with O’Donnell scoring from a tight angle to leave just a point in it with five minutes to go. But the north Leitrim men kicked three bad wides as Mary’s tried to hit them on the break.
That paid off when David Taylor’s ball was cleverly chipped over two minutes into added time by Thomas Glancy. Glen Kavanagh immediately hit back with a point after a great run but a foul on O’Rourke led to Farrell converting the free to ensure the win.
St. Mary’s Kiltoghert
Brendan Flynn, Conal McGuire, John McDermott, Conor Forde, Sean Rynn, Villis Mendis, Jack De Lacy (0-1), James Flynn, Conor Farrell (0-6), Declan McGoldrick (0-1), Joe O’Rourke (0-3), Daire Farrell, Aaron Bonnici, Thomas Glancy (0-1), Paul McGoldrick. Subs: Shane McCarthy (1-0) for D. Farrell (6 mins), David Taylor for P. McGoldrick (58 mins).
Drumkeerin
Adam Woods, Aaron Wynne, Diarmuid Horan, Declan Daly, James Hazlette, Ciaran Hickey, John Woods, Patrick McHugh, Felim McHugh (0-1), Jamie Langan (1-0), James Gallagher (0-3), Glen Kavanagh (0-1), Adrian Forde, Cathal McCawley (0-1), Conor O’Donnell (1-1). Sub: Paul Hazlette for Langan (38 mins).
Referee: Ray McBrien.
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
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