Revenge is a dish best served cold when a title is on the line and Lissycasey used the Under 15A final defeat as a motivator to take the Féile A title at the expense of the county final conquerors St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield in perfect conditions in Clareabbey on Saturday morning.
The rerouting of Darragh Culligan who was nursing a slight injury, to deep into the Barefield backs did wonders for their challenge as it took the challenge directly to their opponents.
The game was in its infancy when the talented Culligan skated through the Barefield defence and notched up the game’s only goal.
Diarmuid McMahon who was to the fore for the winners throughout added a well taken score in the 3rd minute before Culligan stretched his sides lead to five points as Barefield had yet to raise a flag.
This was remedied following a rare upfield foray by St Joseph’s that ended with Oige Fanning converting a free before towering inside forward Ben Skerritt, with the goal at his mercy chose to flick the ball over the bar in a let off for the reigning county champions.
As the first half matured St Joseph’s overcame the early Lissycasey pressure and to their credit had a number of chances to score but fell short or were cleared in last gasp defending by a resolute Lissycasey defence.
Liam Clune and Padraig O’Donovan were on target before the break but late first half efforts by Culligan once again gave Lissycasey a comfortable (1-5) to (0-3) advantage.
St Joseph’s will regret that in the second half their defence was magnificent denying Lissycasey any real opportunity to score over the 20 minutes. However, at the business end of the park St Joseph’s kicked six second half wides in between very good episodes of football.
Oige Fanning opened the second half scoring for Doora/Barefield. Ben Skerritt grabbed his second point of the game and at the time it did not seem vital but did transpire to give Lissycasey a much needed final moments cushion.
Padraig O’Donovan, Caoimhin Enright and O’Donovan in the final moments got Barefield to within two points of Lissycasey.
Near the end of the game both sides were reduced to 14 as Darragh Culligan (2 yellows) and Odran Flynn were sent to the line in two separate offences.
An important last few attacks upfield by Lissycasey as Barefield tired took the pressure off the eventual winners and was enough to seal the title.
The Féile champions rallied well after the county final defeat and responded due to solid performances from Diarmuid McMahon, Josh Daniels, Aidan Weaver, Cian O Callaghan Michael Kelly, Conor Hill, Ben Skerritt and Darragh Culligan.
St Joseph’s were best served by Oige Fanning, Padraig O Donovan, Conor Daly, Liam Clune, Luke Kennedy, Darragh Ball and Marc O Connor.
Following the game the Féile A trophy was presented to Michael Kelly, Lissycasey captain by PJ McGuane.

Lissycasey: Josh Daniels, Ryan Courtney, Michael Kelly (C), Cathal Casey, Ben Wragg, Conor Hill, Cian O’Callaghan, Aidan Weaver, Stephen Davoren, Thomas Earle, Diarmuid McMahon (0-1), Darren Garry, Ben Skerritt (0-2), Dáire Culligan (1-3), Noah Halpin
Subs: Aaron Clohessy, Evan Wragg, Evan McMahon, Aaron Lynch, Daniel McMahon, Thomas Faughan, Michael Donnelly, James Daveron, Padraig Conway, Thomas Earle.

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Luke Kennedy , Ali Ghazi, Odran Flynn, Diarmuid Boyle, Daire Bohannon Sean O’Freaghaile, Conor Daly, Padraig O’Donovan (0-2), Darragh Ball, Liam Clune (0-1), Cathal Hannon, Paddy Nagle, Marc O’Connor, Oige Fanning (0-3), Jack Dillon.
Subs: Caoimhin Enright ( (0-1), Cathal McMahon, Michael Collins, Niall Talty, Owen Hadden, Cian Guilfoyle, Eric McDonald, Shane Mescall, Conor Nash, Cillian Foley,

Referee: Dermot Keating (Naomh Eoin).

by Michael O’Connor