Lissycasey’s superior second-half display secures title

U-13 Division 1 Football Championship Final
Lissycasey 1-10 St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 0-8

Coming into this Division 1 final the teams had played each other twice already in the group stages. On each of those occasions only a solitary point separated the teams as Lissycasey won on their home patch while the Parish exacted revenge in the return fixture. Bearing that in mind it came as no surprise that the teams were deadlocked at three points apiece after the opening half.
For Barefield though they will look back at that first thirty and wonder how they weren’t ahead. Dominating possession they moved the ball accurately through the lines using both the hand and the foot pass to great effect. However the Lissycasey defence marshalled by the outstanding Robert Pelczar stood firm. Time and time again he came storming out of defence with the ball and he always used the possession wisely for such a young player. Having the ability to kick off either leg in what seemed like an effortless manner, the number three pushed up the field at every opportunity which eventually led to the match winning major when swift and neat interplay between Pelczar and Colin Slattery saw Lissycasey finish the third quarter with a six point lead after outscoring Peadar McMahon’s charges 1-3 to 0-2 with only a point of that total coming from a placed ball.
It has to be said that both teams were extremely well coached and both deserve huge credit for their attacking football philosophy. All of the skills of the game were on display from both but special mention must also go to St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield wing back Milo Leahy who must have covered every blade of grass in the Corofin venue. The huge crowd soaked it all up and the atmosphere was electric.
The first half saw only six scores but two of them were beauties one from the Parish centre forward Jonah Quinn while Lissycasey corner forward Ciaran Hanrahan curled over a left leg peach. The teams traded points on the resumption of play before Keith King’s charges took control for a ten minute spell that effectively resulted in glory. Some of their point kicking was of the top drawer variety and they threatened to run riot at one stage. Barefield can be thankful to keeper Aidan Moroney for keeping them in touch with a terrific save when denying Hanrahan at his near post. Back to back converted Max Garvey frees did reduce the arrears to four late on but Lissycasey weren’t to be denied as they saw out the remaining minutes comfortably. Overall a terrific advertisement for football and all involved can be proud of their efforts.

Lissycasey: George Earle, Rory O’Shea, Robert Pelczar, Cathal Kelly, Patrick Haugh, Oisin McMahon, Darragh King, Daniel McNamara, Conor Melican, Fionn Frawley, Aaron Cleary, Aidan McNamara, Ciaran Hanrahan, Colin Slattery, Ronan Considine Subs: Conor Connellan, Cillian Murphy, Adam Marrinan, Nathan Talty, Steven Shannon, Adam Connellan, Max Donnelly, Oisin McMahon, Joe Clancy, Sean Hick, AJ Carmody, James Troy

Scorers: Aaron Cleary (2 f), Ciaran Hanrahan (2 f), Colin Slattery 0-3 each, Robert Pelczar 1-0, Conor Melican 0-1

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Aidan Moroney, Ben O’Keefe, Liam Hanrahan, Joe Sillman, Milo Leahy, Jamie Hardiman, Iker Zambrano, Iarlaith Maleady, Joe McMahon, Max Garvey, Jonah Quinn, Tadgh O’Gairbhith, Darragh McMahon, Oisin Hough, Daire Cullinan Subs: Nathan Dixon, Eoin McInerney, Kian Turner, Dylan Price, James Cosgrove, Oliver Mannion, Donnacha Scanlon, Jackson Dunn, Sean Daly

Scorers: Jonah Quinn 0-4, Max Garvey 0-2 (2 f), Fionn Frawley, Oisin Hough 0-1 each

Referee:Declan Coyne (Corofin)