Connellan inspires Kilmaley to win U13 ‘Battle of the Blues’

Under 13A Shield Final – Kilmaley 6-7 Newmarket On Fergus 3-1

A good start was much more than half the battle after Kilmaley’s first quarter heroics effectively sealed the first Under 13 honours of the season in Dr. Murphy Memorial Park in Newmarket-on-Fergus on Sunday morning, writes Eoin Brennan.

Having finished strongly against the ‘Bridge in extra-time a week previously, Kilmaley left nothing to chance this time around as quickfire goals through Aidan Cleary (2) and Sam Switzer aided their passage to a 3-4 to 0-0 cushion by the 15th minute.

The shell-shocked hosts did manage to settle just before the water break with a timely goal from Tadgh Guinane at 3-4 to 1-0. From there it was actually a relatively evenly-matched affair, with both sides giving their all and each defence to the fore.

For Kilmaley, four goal hero Aidan Cleary was a cool yet clinical finisher, helped by the work-rate of Dylan Killeen. However, it was the defensive duo of Seanie Connellan and Liam Keane that impressed most, with centre-back Connellan giving an exhibition over the hour to inspire his side to victory.

Newmarket meanwhile were best served by Liam Hehir, Dylan Routley, Tadgh Guinane, Ricardo Lameda and targetman Rory Freeman who grabbed a crucial early goal in the second period to give the Blues renewed hope at 3-5 to 2-0.

Kilmaley’s response was emphatic as Connellan converted a free before providing the pass for Cleary to complete his hat-trick when rifling to the top left corner of the net.

In what had developed into a real open end-to-end contest, Newmarket did raid for another goal just before the final water break when substitute John Burke was the first to react to volley home a rebound after a Tom McMahon effort was saved at 4-6 to 3-0.

Despite that glimmer of hope for the home side, Kilmaley duly slammed the door shut on the resumption. Aidan Cleary grabbed his fourth goal while Liam Keane, now in an advanced role, managed to get the final touch to a flowing injury-time move as Kilmaley deservedly added to their recent trophy haul.

Kilmaley: Keelan O’Gorman; Paul Clancy, Liam Keane, Sean O’Brien; Cathal Finucane, Seanie Connellan, James Burke; Donnacha Cooney, Breanainn Falvey; Luke Warren, Dylan Killeen, Michael Hayes; Sam Switzer, Aidan Cleary, Joseph Neylon Subs: James Killeen, Joseph Doherty, Diarmuid Connellan, Cathal Geary, Eoin Connellan, Caelum Killeen, Ciaran O’Neill
Scorers: Aidan Cleary (4-1); Sam Switzer (1-1); Seanie Connellan (0-3, 2f); Liam Keane (1-0); Donnacha Cooney, Breanainn Falvey (0-1 each)

Newmarket-on-Fergus: Sean Lee; Liam Hehir, Josh Moroney, Joseph Hogan; Dylan Routley, Tadgh Guinane, Sean Quinn; Evan Cusack, Cian Brennan; Ricardo Lameda, Ryan Kelly, Tom McMahon; Liam Collins, Rory Freeman, Gearoid Crowe. Subs: Reuben Guinane, John Burke, Mícheál O’Leary, Donal O’Callaghan, Zach Smith
Scorers: Rory Freeman (1-1); Tadgh Guinane, John Burke (1-0 each)

Referee: Rory McGann (Newmarket-on-Fergus)

Under 13 Academy B Shield Final
Clooney-Quin 5-9
O’C Mills/Bodyke 4-5

A powerful finish ensured that Clooney-Quin edged a nine goal thriller with O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke in Clooney on Sunday afternoon.
The home side’s collective drive was most evident by five different goalscorers as scorer-in-chief James Canny (1-4) was aided by Marcus Fitzpatrick, Darragh Browne, Eli Deegan and Daniel Cleary on their way to victory.
Leading at the first water break (2-2 to 1-2) and half-time (3-4 to 1-3), all seemed to be going according to plan for the hosts until struck by a second half tsunami from the amalgamation. Goals from Jamie Moroney, Aidan McInerney and Donnacha Lenihan saw O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke seize control by the turn of the final quarter at 4-5 to 3-5, only for a relentless Clooney-Quin to wrestle back the whip hand while keeping their opponents scoreless for the remainder.
A 2-4 unanswered blitz proved decisive in keeping the silverware on home soil as Clooney-Quin’s attentions now turn to their flagship side’s Under 13B Championship challenge.

Clooney-Quin: Karl Rittweger; Liam Rawah, Paddy O’Keeffe, Darragh O’Gorman; Oisin Considine, Eli Deegan, James Canny; Cian Maxted, John Moyles; Ethan Sweeney, Daniel Cleary, JJ Clune; Darragh Browne, Colm Meade, Daniel McMahon Collins, Marcus Fitzpatrick, Maxime De Sousa, Nathan Killeen, Ben O’Reilly
Scorers: James Canny (1-4, 1f); Cian Maxted (0-5, 1f, 1’65); Marcus Fitzpatrick, Darragh Browne, Eli Deegan, Donnacha Lenihan (1-0 each)

O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke: Liam Kilkenny; Sean Daly, Joseph Madden; Seanie O’Driscoll, Eoin Shanahan, Declan O’Meara; Darra Lenihan, Jamie Moroney; Daniel Moroney, Luke Canny, Donnacha Lenihan; Oisin Slattery, Aidan McInerney
Scorers: Jamie Moroney (2-2, 1-0f); Aidan McInerney (1-2), Donnacha Lenihan (1-0)
Referee: Martin Leahy (Ruan)