Annaduff back in final as Cox inspires victory over Allen Gaels in epic shootout

Seemingly like the turning of the seasons, Annaduff are back in another Smith Monumentals IFC Final after they got the better of Allen Gaels in an epic shootout early on Saturday afternoon in Cloone with youngster Darren Cox stealing the show by scoring 2-6 and creating another goal.

Allen Gaels must be wondering exactly what they have to do to win a contest as they landed an incredible 18 points but still lost by four as Annaduff's ability to plunder goals, four of them in the first half, proved crucial in an absorbing, thrilling and open contest that swung from end to end and provided drama from start to finish.

That ability to strike for 'majors' was ultimately the difference between the teams as it knocked Allen Gaels right back on their heels from the off - Darren Cox rifling home from close range in the very first minute after a long delivery caused chaos in the Drumshanbo defence and showing an unerring instinct of when to score, Joe Cox's side struck for three more first half goals just when it looked as if the Gaels were getting back into the game.

Allen Gaels Fenagh St Caillins celebrate victory in Newtowngore Engineering U17 Division 1 Final - GALLERY

Allen Gaels Fenagh St Caillins combined to dethrone champions St Mary's Kiltoghert in Philly McGuinness Park, Mohill on Saturday, sparking wild celebrations as they claimed the Newtowngore Engineering U17 Championship Division 1 title on a 3-16 to 3-9 scoreline. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was there to capture the celebrations .... see who you can spot!

The fourth goal, in first half added time when another surging run from young Cox provided the opportunity for Alan Glancy to drive the ball to the net, left the Gaels completely demoralised as they could only add one point in the third quarter as Annaduff held them at bay. But then came a ferocious Gaels surge as time ticked down, Ciaran McMorrow leading a fight back as the Division 2 champions cut an eight point lead back down to just a goal.

Indeed, were it not for keeper Caolan Quigley getting a touch to a rasper from Ciaran Walsh just into added time, we might have had a grandstand finish but a wonderfully committed Annaduff had enough to see the game out and book their place in a third final in four years, quite a remarkable run.

Annaduff got off to a perfect start - a high ball into the Gaels goalmouth saw keeper Conor Flood claim the ball but a collision with a teammate left him on the ground and the ball loose with Darren Cox arriving in to drive to the net. Alan Glancy had a shot blocked and Colin Moran had a poor effort before Radek Oberwan converted a mark.

Conor Flood scrambled away a Cox effort before a brilliant Annaduff move that started when an Allen Gaels attack broke down, Annaduff sweeping down the field for Conor Reynolds to point on eight minutes.

Annaduff's powerful start got even better when Cox took off on a mazy run - Conor Flood made a good save from the first shot but the young centre-forward pounced on the rebound to score to leave Annaduff 2-1 to 0-1 ahead after ten minutes. Ray Cox would immediately add a point but Allen Gaels finally started to get going.

Four points in five minutes from Ciaran McMorrow (two frees), Colin Moran and Shane Beirne, all with pacy counterattacks cut the gap back to a goal but just as Allen Gaels were starting to find their rhythm, Annaduff struck again, Eoin Gil combining with Tommy Taylor before lofting a ball towards Daniel Bosquette, in behind the defence, and his flick flew over the keeper and into the net.

Conor Reynolds and Ray Cox combined to set up Darren Cox for a point but as young Cox left two efforts short, Allen Gaels again began clawing their way back into the game. Ciaran Walsh fired over a mark, Ciaran McMorrow hit two before Bosquette and Reynolds set up Darren Cox for another point.

Allen Gaels' Emmet Moran battles Annaduff's Daniel Bosquette and Shane Morrison for the ball Picture: Willie Donnellan

But Allen Gaels were moving and points from Jake Tobin and McMorrow in the space of a minute had the gap back down to three points. Again, Annaduff responded as Cox fired over a free and then surged down the wing, lofting a handpass across the goal to Alan Glancy who grabbed the ball, turned and belted it powerfully to the net to leave Annaduff with a 4-5 to 0-10 lead.

Veteran Ray Cox opened the scoring in the second half with a fisted point with Ciaran McMorrow responding from a free. Annaduff should have had a fifth goal but Conor Flood smothered Jason Ward's shot and Annaduff were holding the Gaels comfortably at bay with Cox firing over a 40 yard free while the Gaels were struggling to score, missing a couple of good chances.

Two McMorrow points suddenly gave Allen Gaels a bit of momentum and despite sub Kenny Cox breaking through a couple of tackles to point for Annaduff, Allen Gaels were building up steam. Shane Walsh put a goal chance wide but points from McMorrow (free) and Ciaran Walsh after good work from Jake Tobin cut the gap back to five points after 53 minutes.

Annaduff again should have had a fifth goal when a superb Darren Cox run saw him cover 50 yards, beat defenders but his shot was straight at Flood who cleared the danger. It might have proved costly as Caleb Duffy saw a shot blocked but points from McMorrow (free) and Ciaran Walsh brought the gap back to three into added time.

Darren Cox converted a free to put two scores between the teams but a Ciaran Walsh pass set up Shane Walsh for a 64th minute point to again leave just a goal in it. But Annaduff secured their passage to the final with a late Darren Cox free that brought a brilliant encounter to a close.

Late goal seals Melvin Gaels place in Final

MELVIN GAELS 1-6 KILTUBRID 0-6

ANNADUFF

Scorers: Darren Cox 2-6, 4f; Bosquette & Alan Glancy 1-0 each; Ray Cox 0-2; Conor Reynolds & Kenny Cox 0-1 each

Team: Caolan Quigley; Mattie Cox, Shane Morrison, Keelan Lynch; Eoin Gill, Hugh Moylan, Eoghan Ridge; Dillon Keane, Conor Reynolds, Niall Quigley, Darren Cox, Alan Glancy, Ray Cox, Daniel Bosquette, Sean Quigley. Subs: Niall Quigley & Jason Ward for M Cox & T Taylor (HT); Kenny Cox for R Cox (45); Liam Taylor for Duignan (49); Michael Murray for Glancy (58)

ALLEN GAELS

Scorers: Ciaran McMorrow 0-10, 8f; Ciaran Walsh 0-3, 1M; Radek Oberwan (M), Colin Moran, Shane Beirne, Jake Tobin & Shane Walsh 0-1 each

Team: Conor Flood; Adrian Sorohan, Mark Gunning, Martin Raftery, Arik Oberwan, Kyle Flynn, Shane Walsh, Emmet Moran, Brian Mulvey, Shane Beirne, Jake Tobin, Ciaran Walsh, Ciaran McMorrow, Radek Oberwan, Colin Moran. Subs: Caleb Duffy for C Moran (32); Thomas Mulvey for S Beirne (35); Cian Dennis for E Moran (40); Ryan Higgins for Tobin (56)

Referee: Michael McGirl