Kildysart-Coolmeen win U-16B title

Kildysart-Coolmeen 1-12   Shannon Gaels-Kilmihil 3-2

AN excellent first-half display, after which they led 0-6 to 0-1, helped Kildysart-Coolmeen to a well deserved win over Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil in the U-16B football final in Doonbeg last Sunday evening.

Such was the attendance from the four parishes involved that when the game started, a large queue was gathered in the car park, seeking to pay their admittance fee. However, with only one turnstile open, the queue formed as the 7pm throw-in time approached.

Although the breeze was largely blowing cross-field, the winners adapted more quickly to the conditions and played some impressive football in the opening half.

Shane O’Connor scored the opening point of the game for the Gaels/Killimer but from then until half-time, the winners dominated.

Their captain, Ben Cleary, scored four first-half frees, while Cian Murphy and Darragh Cleary also pointed for Kildysart-Coolmeen. Their midfield dominance was instrumental in the winners’ first-half performance. They won most of the kick-outs and picked up several breaks in the middle third of the field.

An Alan Slobody goal secured the result for his side, while Cian Murphy, Alan Normoyle, Barry Crehan and Seamus Casey added points for Kildysart-Coolmeen.

Shane O’Connor, David Killeen and Chris O’Connor netted three second-half goals for Gaels/Kilmihil but two of them were scored very late in the game. At that stage, the winners had built up an insurmountable lead.
Kildysart-Coolmeen dominated in most of the central positions, with Rory McMahon, Darragh Cleary, Stephen Sheehan and Alan Normoyle all excelling, while Ben Cleary and Cian Murphy held sway at midfield.

Fionn Febbraro had another superb game in goals for Gaels/Kilmihil, while Dan Keating, Chris O’Connor and Shane O’Connor gave everything for their team.

The winners’ management team was John Murphy, Ger Kelly, Michael Crehan and Martin Frawley.

Kildysart-Coolmeen: Adam Carrigg; Conor Donnellan, Rory McMahon, Kevin McMahon; Kieran O’Brien, Darragh Cleary, Mark Meaney; Ben Cleary (captain), Cian Murphy; Barry Crehan, Stephen Sheehan, Seán Wallace; Ryan Casey, Alan Normoyle, David Clancy.
Subs: Aaron Slobody, Seamus Casey, David Cusack, Eric Scanlon, Brian Meaney, Michael McMahon, Cormac Guinnane, Jack Sheehan and Alan Cunningham.
Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil: Fionn Febbraro; Eric O’Brien, Eoin Keane, Michael McNamara; Mikey Keating (captain), David Kelly, Dan Keating; Chris O’Connor, Cian Moloney; David Killeen, Stephen Keogh, Shane Downes; Shane O’Connor, Darragh Bohannon, Seán Crowley.
Subs: David Lernihan, Cathal Murray, Steven King, Paul Whelan, Ciarán Downes, Jaiden Gadd and Ronan Callinan.
Referee: Damien Fox (Clooney-Quin).