Goals crucial for Tones

Wolfe Tones 4-4
Miltown St Joseph’s 0-10

WOLFE Tones claimed the Fergus Credit Union U-16 Division 1 football title in Cooraclare on Monday evening with a 4-4 to 0-10 victory over Miltown, St Joseph’s. The goals scored by the Shannon team were crucial in their victory.
St Joseph’s got off to the better start with Conor and Eoin Cleary being prominent at midfield. They raced into a quick three-point lead by the eighth minute with two frees from Eoin Cleary and a good point from play by Luke Reidy.
However, Wolfe Tones were quickly on level terms with their first goal scored by captain William Flynn from a tight angle. This was followed up five minutes later by their second when Dylan Birchall’s kick dropped in over the Miltown keeper and into the net.
Daniel Brennan pointed after 18 minutes and Wolfe Tones’ third goal of the half came after 20 minutes when Stephen Tuohy, a substitute, pulled on the ball to the top corner of the net.
Midfielder Damien Casey added another point to give Wolfe Tones a clear three-goal lead at half-time, 3-3 to 0-3.
The expected fight-back by Miltown came after the break and a series of stunning scores made for an exciting half. Conor Cleary scored brilliantly from a sideline kick after 11 minutes. Eoin Cleary pointed twice in two minutes and a Luke Reidy point after 18 minutes reduced the Tones’ lead to five points.
Conor Cleary hit both uprights when reducing the lead further a minute later and another brace of points from Eoin Cleary left just two between the teams with four minutes remaining.
However, Wolfe Tones retaliated in the final moments with a relieving point from Jack Kelly and in injury time, another high-dropping ball kicked by Jack Carrig found the Miltown net to extinguish their comeback and seal victory for a relieved Wolfe Tones.

Wolfe Tones: Mark Hehir; Andrew Shanagher, Seán Reidy, Cathal McCoy; Dylan Birchall (1-0), Darragh Downes, Kieran O’Callaghan; Damien Casey (0-1), William Flynn (capt) (1-0); David Murphy, Daniel Brennan (0-1), Jason McNally; Michael Hasty, Jack Kelly (0-2), Jack Carrig (1-0).
Sub: Stephen Tuohy (1-0).
Miltown, St Joseph’s: Kevin Downes; Sheamie Parra-Haran, Ciaran Kennelly, Sean Hanrahan; Anthony O’Brien, Aidan McGuane, John O’Brien; Conor Cleary (0-2), Eoin Cleary (0-6); Donal Keane, Michael Hamilton, John McGuane; Luke Reidy (0-2), Jonathan Marrinan, Eoin Hurley.

Ennistymon 1-10
Kilrush 3-2

ENNISTYMON scored a two-point victory over Kilrush in the U-16 shield final, which preceded the championship final.
In an entertaining game, Ennistymon made more of their opportunities throughout, leading by 0-7 to 1-0 at half-time. Padraig Kennelly, Kevin Falvey, Michael Leigh and Barry Keating provided the scores. Gearoid O’Brien was Kilrush’s goalscorer.
Falvey, Leigh and Keating extended their lead early in the second half and a Joe Gallagher goal midway through the half put the game beyond Kilrush.
However, a late onslaught yielded two goals in the final minutes to reduce the lead to two by the final whistle.

Ennistymon: Dara Clancy; Joe Rynne, Eoin Davies, Paul Keating; Ciaran Vaughan, Ryan Doyle, Kevin Hehir; Kevin Falvey, Michael Leigh (capt); Jack Murphy, Jamesy McConigley, Barry Keating; Daire Crowe, Padraig Kennelly, Joe Gallagher.
Sub: Brian Davies.
Kilrush Shamrocks: Thomas Moloney; Nigel Morrissey, Conor Downes (capt), Fiachra Crowley; John Kelleher, Cian Murray, Jack Browne; Cathal Carrig, Michael Linnane; Brendan Ellis, Pádraig Browne, Dylan O’Connell; Gearóid O’Brien, Fionn McCarthy, Liam Shannon.
Subs: Conor Bolton, Seán Bolton, Conor Madigan and Conor Ellis.