County Finals – summary
This weekend s finals were not for the fainthearted as we witnessed 3 cracking games over the 2 days. Approx 2,000 supporters were in Ballinamore on Saturday evening followed by 5,000 in Carrick on Sunday to witness 3 nail-bitters. The neutral and partisan supporter got great value for money in the 3 excellent games that saw 6 very evenly matched teams battle it out for their respective county title honors.
This is a game that will go down in the annals as a classic as Glencar Manorhamilton put back to back County titles together after an enthralling final against Carrigallen in front of crowd of 5,000 in Páirc Seán. Carrigallen opened the game with a blistering pace and had a goal scored with 43 seconds. They led most of the way through the half but Glencar Manor never let up and Carrigallen held out to lead by 1 at half time.
During the break the Under 12 teams from every club in the county paraded around the field led by Kiltubrid Pipe band. This spectacle of color marked the 125 anniversary of the GAA.
The second half was full of drama right until the last kick of the ball in a game that swayed one way then the next. Carrigallen will rue missed chances after Manor managed to bring the game to a draw before taking the lead. Carrigallen brought on veteran Brian Doyle in the 47th minute and he had an immediate impact as he scored a key goal to put Carrigallen back into the lead.
The Manor men held their head and play some excellent football to bring the game to a draw heading into to full time. Manor edged ahead to win by the slimiest of margins and put back to back titles together.
Earlier in the Junior A game Aughavas came out victors in another terrific encounter as held out to win by 2 points against Eslin. Eslin had many chances to go into the lead in the second half but at least 4 goal chances went a begging as the hit everything bar the back of the net. Aughavas were very relieved to hear the final whistle and this game was the perfect opening game for the afternoon.
In Ballinamore on Saturday evening Cloone upset the odds by storming their way to a victory right from the throw-in, it was close in the end as Aughawillan crept back in to the game and were within 1 point in the end but Cloone held out for the coveted title and a return to Senior football for 2010.
The highlights of the Intermediate game are now online along with the fireworks after-wards in the village !
More photographic and video highlights from the Senior and Junior A games will be available here online over the days as Brian Blake and James Molloy capture the moments.
27-Sep-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
