Congratulations to Ballinamore Sean O Heslins
Ballinamore SOH and Glencar/ Manorhamilton provided a very entertaining and exciting Minor Final in Pairc Sean last Sunday. The game began with great pace with both sides giving an indication of their intentions and within the first couple of minutes it was Glencar/Manors full forward Ronan Flynn who opened the Scóring with a well taken point. Shortly after Ballinamore SOH were awarded a free when Dean McGovern went past 3 defenders before being brought down by Killian McGriskin and the free was converted by Mark McGrory. Two minutes later Ballinamore SOH took the lead with a point from Jack Cullen.
Ballinamore SOH were playing into a strong wind but it did not seem to effect them in terms of winning possession and creating chances but after shooting three wides it looked like the elements were making it difficult for the forwards. Glencar/Manor hit back with a point from Niall Brady followed by a lovely point from Patrick Loughlin. With 10 minutes remaining in the first half Luke Murphy for Ballinamore SOH scored two points. Ronan Flynn and Niall Brady for Glencar/Manor started to have an influence in the match causing problems for the Ballinamore SOH defence. In the closing minutes of the first half Glencar Manor increased their lead with points from Alan Curran, two points from Niall Brady and a point from Ronan FlynnÓgiving them a four point lead. The half time score was Glencar/Manor 0-9 Ballinamore SOH 0-5.
The second half started with both teams working very hard and there was little to separate the sides during the opening exchanges. It took eight minutes before the first score was scored which was a goal scored by Mark McGrory for Ballinamore SOH leaving them just a point behind Glencar/Manor. Shortly after Ronan Flynn for Glencar/Manor pointed a free after a foul on Niall Brady which put Glencar Manor two points ahead. It took another nine minutes before Ballinamore SOH added to their score with a point from Dean McGovern after clever passing between Luke Murphy, Mark McGrory and Andrew Burns. With ten minutes to go Ballinamores goalkeeper Cian McCaffrey put in a great save from Alan Clancys shot for goal and the significance of the miss was evident when a minute later Ballinamore SOH got their second goal from a shot by Luke Murphy to give his side a two point lead.
Glencar/Manor never gave up and tried desperately hard to get back in to contention but it was Ballinamore SOH that got the next score with a point from Luke Murphy to leave three points between the sides. Glencar/Manor kept working to the very end trying to find a goal and in the second minute of injury time Ronal Flynn struck for goal but the ball was blocked by Brian Beirne to ensure his side won the Minor A Football Championhship 2011.
Final score: Ballinamore Sean O Heslins 2-07 Glencar Manorhamilton 0-10
Man of the Match: Luke Murphy
Ballinamore Sean O Heslins:Cian McCaffrey, Cyril Smith Eoin McHugh, Kevin Banks, Keelan McHugh, Jack Cullen (0-1), David McLoughlin, Brian Beirne, Stephen McTague, Dean McGovern (0-1) John Fanning, Conor Moran, Luke Murphy (1-4) Andrew Burns, Mark McGrory (1-1) Subs: Anthony Maguire for McHugh (HT), Brian Leyden for Moran (50 Mins).
Glencar/Manorhamilton:Stephen McPartland, Gavin OHagan, Killian McGriskin, Cian McManus, Andrew Gilligan, Niall McLoughlin, Brendan Byrne, Killian Kerrigan, Patrick Loughlin (0-1), Patrick Clancy, James Rooney, Alan Curran (0-1) Niall Brady (0-4), Ronan Flynn (0-4) Brendan Rooney. Subs: Mark McDermot for OHagan (HT) Rory McDermot for Rooney (47 mins)
Referee: Cyril McKeon
29-Sep-11 by Gerri Mulhern – PRO – Coiste na nÓg
