Strong finish earns win for Inagh-Kilnamona

Inagh-Kilnamona  3-11

Wolfe Tones  2-12

IN this U-16A Shield final played in Newmarket-on-Fergus on Sunday evening, Inagh-Kilnamona and Wolfe Tones played out a thrilling match that kept the crown on tender hooks right to the final whistle.

The underfoot conditions were quite heavy but this did not hamper the teams, who delivered a high-quality game in what has turned out to be a very competitive U-16 championship.
The Inagh-Kilnamona side availed of a fairly stiff breeze in the first half and were much more dominant in their play, scoring a succession of fine points, especially from frees by their centre-back Jason McCarthy. A scrambled goal left them in pole position leading at the short whistle on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-3.
Some positional changes to the Wolfe Tones team at half-time turned the tide for the airport side, who dominated the exchanges in the second half  and enjoyed a purple patch, scoring some superb points from play and some wonderful, long-range points from frees by Ben O’Gorman.
A goal by full-forward Aaron Shanagher, after great work by Brian Conway in the 12th minute of the second half, really put them in contention and a second by Shanagher, who pulled on a huge delivery by Kevin Justice, appeared to leave Wolfe Tones in an unassailable position, leading 2-12 to 1-10 with eight minutes remaining.
A penalty offered Inagh-Kilnamona a lifeline and Evan McNamara blasted to the net. A free soon after left the minimum between the sides and with three minutes remaining, they regained the lead after some slack marking in the Wolfe Tones defence led to the vital goal.
For Inagh-Kilnamona, Shane McInerney, who had a great battle with his opponent Aaron Shanagher,  Jason McCarthy, David Fitzgerald and Evan McNamara, were superb throughout.
For the Wolfe Tones men, Blaine O’Sullivan, Ben O’Gorman, Jack Cunningham and Aaron Shanagher did well.
Inagh-Kilnamona: Cian McInerney; Michael Greene, Shane McInerney, Eoin Leyden; Dylan McGerr, Jason McCarthy, Austin Kerin; Eoin Devereux, Keelan Sexton; Caimin Clancy, David Fitzgerald, Joseph Marrinan; Michael McCreanor, Evan McNamara, Peadar Roughan.
Wolfe Tones: Cian Collopy; Shane Nihill, Daniel Claire, Blaine O’Sullivan; Sean Costello, Ben O’Gorman, Robbie Meaney; Brian Monaghan, Dean Devanney; Rory Hayes, Kevin Justice, Jack Cunningham; Brian O’Connor, Aaron Shanagher, Brian Conway.

Tones on top

Wolfe Tones  4-13
Sixmilebridge  2-6

IN this meeting of near neighbours at overcast Shannon last Tuesday evening, the airport men eventually emerged victorious after a hard-fought encounter in the U-16A Shield semi-final.
Both sides would surely have harboured more loftier ambitions ,as both sides had shown a good pedigree at U-14.
The ’Bridge played with a slight wind advantage but it was the home side that made the better start with a goal from towering full-forward, Aaron Shanagher, and an excellent point soon after by Rory Hayes settled the Tones into the game.
Some excellent scores from play and placed balls by Eoin Flynn kept the ’Bridge ticking over.
At the short whistle, the scoreline was 1-6 to 0-5 in favour of the Shannon outfit.
A goal from a 20m free from Shanagher and a powerful assist from the same player in setting up Jack Cunningham for the Tones’ third goal put some daylight between the sides but a clever goal for the ’Bridge from will-of-the-wisp corner-forward Shane Flynn offered some hope.
Shanagher scored his third goal but the score of the match was by Shane Flynn who slammed his second goal to the net, despite the best efforts of Cian Collopy.

Wolfe Tones: Cian Collopy; Shane Nihill, Daniel Claire, Blaine O’Sullivan; Sean Costello, Ben O’Gorman, Robbie Meaney; Brian Monaghan, Dean Devanney; Cian Pettigrew, Kevin Justice, Rory Hayes; Jack Cunningham Aaron Shanagher, Brian O’Connor.
Sixmilebridge: Jason Loughnane; Robert Halpin, Shane McInerney, Tadgh Devanney; Oisín Fitzpatrick, Patrick Mulready, Cathaoir Agnew; Ronan Cahill, Cathal Lynch; Niall Hogan, Conor Cahill, Shaun Murray; Aidan Whelan, Eoin Flynn, Shane Flynn.