Having done the hard work in the first half in restricting a wind-aided St. Marys to just three points, Champions Oughteragh Gaels retained their Leitrim Under 21 Championship title with some ease last Saturday afternoon in a remarkably firm Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.
Inspired by Man of the Match Gavin Sammon, the Aughnasheelin and Ballinamore Sean OHeslins combination exuded too much class for a St. Marys outfit that started brightly but could not maintain their tempo in the face of a hard working and hungry Oughteragh Gaels.

With many doubting that the Final would go ahead on Saturday morning due to the deluge that hit the county last week, it was a remarkable testament to the work undertaken in Pairc Sean that the County ground was in such fantastic condition last Saturday for the Final.

Gavin Sammons flair in attack was a crucial factor in Oughteraghs victory but more important was the incredible work-rate demonstrated by all their players throughout the field – their swarm defence meant that apart from an initial bright burst, St. Marys never got the sort of room they needed to cause any damage.

That pressure started in the forward where all six attackers harried and hassled the Carrick men trying to bring the ball out of defence so much that they were never able to pick out their passes or had the sort of time on the ball that they needed.

That was particularly noticeable in the first half where, despite playing against the wind, Oughteragh actually had, by far, the greater tally of wides as they camped in the Marys half for the last ten minutes of the first period.

With such a wall in front of them, a disconsolate St. Marys must have known that the writing was on the wall as they were unable to build up any sort of lead despite having the strong wind at their backs.

And within 11 minutes of the second half, Oughteragh had used that self same wind to build up an impregnable four point lead.

Gavin Sammon rightly took the plaudits but there were plenty of other heroes on the day – Shane Morans impressive strength and direct running through the centre of the park was something that St. Marys had no answer while the movement and hard work of Shane Murphy and DamienÓgilheaney was another great asset.

At midfield, Wayne McKeon had a quite first half but drove his team on during the second half, providing much of the forward impetus of his team. Fergal McManuss hard work and non-stop running was another big plus for Oughteragh Gaels.

A tight and very disciplined Oughteragh defence never allowed St. Marys the sort of room they so desperately needed to score with Sean McWeeney, Matthew Murphy, David Leydon and Jim McTague standing out.

For a disappointing St. Marys, there were few positives – William Guckian did well inÓgoal while Ray Mulvey, Nicholas McWeeney and Conor Guckian all had their moments.

St. Marys looked to make an early statement of intent and did so when, just 39 seconds in, Nicholas McWeeneys clever pass found Alan Doherty in space and the corner-forward curled over a lovely point. St.Marys were pushing hard early on but not creating chances.

Indeed, at the other end, Oughteragh Gaels were making progress and after a Shane Moran shot was caught by keeper Conor Guckian, DamienÓgilheaney drew the sides level when he converted a free after a Ronan Kennedy foul on six minutes.

Three minutes later, and a wide from Fergal McManus, the champions went in front when a lovely move down the centre ended with Shane Murphy firing over, although a pass inside may have released an unmarked team-mate for a score.

Marys replied instantly when a long ball out of defence found Ray Mulvey in space and he hammered a 55-yard free over the bar, just sneaking inside the post.

But despite playing against the wind, it was Oughteragh who were creating the chances but not converting as Shane Moran and Shane Murphy both hit wides. It proved costly on 19 minutes when Liam McTiernan and Alan Doherty combined in a lovely move to set up Donal Butler for an excellent point.

Incredibly, the town team were not to score for another 40 minutes as the intense work-rate of the Oughteragh Gaels players soon began to stifle their free-flowing style.

Brian Farrell and Wayne McKeon traded wides in the following minutes while Shane McWeeney was also off-target but another Gilheaney free in the last minute of normal time ensured that Oughteragh Gaels would go into the halftime break level at 0-3 apiece.

It could have been even better for the champions only that Marys keeper William Guckian cleared a dangerous ball ahead of an in-running opponent.

But there was no denying the momentum was with Oughteragh Gaels as they would now have the strong wind behind them in the second half. St. Marys tried to give them something to worry about but Philip Farrelly easily held Donal Butlers hot while Shane Murphy hit a wide at the other end.

Oughteragh took the lead again on two minutes when a foul on Moran saw Gilheaney convert after two minutes but worries started to eat at the Oughteragh supporters as their team missed two good chances from Wayne McKeon and Gilheaney.

However, the tide turned whenÓgavin Sammon produced a wonderful pass to set up Brendan Mulvey for a brilliant point on seven minutes, a lead immediately extended when the kick-out was sent to Sammon in the right corner and he curled over a fabulous point.

That suddenly opened up a three point gap and given the conditions, it looked like a match-winning lead, a feeling reinforced when David Tiernan was somewhat harshly punished when he slid in ahead of an Oughteragh player for the ball, was penalised and DamienÓgilheaney fired over the Marys bar.

From the kick-out, the ball came to Gavin Sammon who played it forward but got it back and fired over a great point to stretch the lead to five points.Sammon also got a yellow two minutes later but Marys were finding it impossible to make any head-way against the non-stop harrying of the Oughteragh players.

Oughteragh almost broke through for a goal on 19 minutes when Shane Morans long ball found DamienÓgilheaney with his back to goal with only William Guckian to beat. The Aughnasheelin man opted to turn and fire first time when he had plenty of time and space and Guckian stood firm, making a vital save.

Lady luck turned onÓguckian within a minute – Gavin Sammon tried to a point with a shot from the right wing, some 20 yards out, but the ball fell short. Unfortunately for the Marys keeper, he seemed to get his feet caught up as the shot sailed over his head and into the net.

That definitely sealed the game although it seemed to provoke St. Marys into their best spell of the second half although it didnt lead to many scores. Alan Doherty had a horrendous miss from a close range free while he also had a long range shot held by Philip Farrelly.

Marys did manÓge to get a score when Dohertys quickly taken free allowed Ray Mulvey drive over his second point of the contest. They almost had a chance of a goal in injury time but David Tiernan shot wide to end the contest.

Oughteragh Gaels

Philip Farrelly, Paul Earley, David Leydon, Matthew Murphy, Joe McGirl, Sean McWeeney, Jim McTague, Fergal McManus, Wayne McKeon, Brendan Mulvey, Shane Moran, Gavin Sammon, Shane McWeeney, DamienÓgilheaney, Shane Murphy. Subs: Philip Murphy, Paddy McManus & Keith Boyle for McGirl, Earley & McWeeney (54 mins), Enda Quinn for M. Murphy (60 mins).

St. Marys Kiltoghert

William Guckian, Ruairi McLoughlin, Conor Guckian, Ronan Kennedy, Micheal McWeeney, David Tiernan, Fergal McLoughlin, Ray Mulvey (0-2), Conor McWeeney, Nicholas McWeeney, Liam McTiernan, Donal Butler (0-2), Brian Farrell, Daragh Singleton, Alan Doherty (0-1). Subs: John Healy for F. McLoughlin (39 mins), Conor Glancy for Singleton (52 mins).

Referee: Ray McBrien.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article courtesy of Leitrim Observer and is located at LeitrimObserver.ie

 

 

 

 

 

27-Nov-09 by LeitrimObserver.ie

Melvin Gaels emerged victorious in the U-21 B Championship Final in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada on Saturday afternoon last after an absorbing contest against Glenfarne/ Kiltyclogher but they had to do it the hard way as Glenfarne/ Kiltyclogher more than played their part in the contest.

U-21 B CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
MELVIN GAELS 1-12
GLENFARNE/KILTYCLOGHER 2-6

Both sides had periods of dominance during the game and for a period it seemed as though the excellent work of the Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher defenders coupled with the precise finishing of the forwards would see them victorious.

However, Melvin Gaels were able to overcome the body blow of conceding goals at critical times and responded in style to emerge victorious.
Paul Og Ferguson joked when he was accepting the cup on behalf of his team, the Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher players will point to the lose of their captain Fergal Clancy, who was absent with a broken figure and say they would have emerged victorious had he been present.

Of course such talk is hypothetical and even without their influential captain, Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher more than played their part in what was a nail-biting and very enjoyable game played in fine conditions despite the torrential rain that had fallen in the days leading up to the game.

Melvin Gaels started the game with real purpose and were rewarded for their early pressure when Peter McGowan pointed after Conor Sheridans pass.

The Kinlough men were unable to build on their positive start as the Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher defence held firm, with Sean McManus playing particularly well and when the opportunities arose to launch attacks of their own they did so and were duly rewarded.

By the time the game was nine minute old three Diarmuid Clancy frees gave Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher an early advantage and gave an early indication that this game would go right to the wire.

Both sides had opportunities to add to their tallys and while Melvin Gaels were enjoying more possession they were finding it difficult to penetrate the Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher rearguard.

The pressure that Melvin Gaels had been applying was rewarded midway through the half when Conor Sheridan claimed a Jessie McGuinness to point and reduce the deficit to the narrowest margin.

However, in keeping with the unpredictable nature of the game, Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher struck back in emphatic style.

Having won possession 35 meters from the Melvin Gaels goal, the ball was passed quickly and decisively before Diarmuid Clancy picked out Padraig Sweeney whose shot crept inside the left post despite the best efforts of a defender and goalkeeper Paul Rooney.

Having enjoyed so much possession and having then suffered the blow of conceding the games opening goal, the question was how would Melvin Gaels respond.

The response was exactly what Manager Gareth Phelan would have wanted as his side dominated the remainder of the half.

One area where Melvin Gaels were having a lot of joy was from Glenfarne/Kiltycloghers kick-outs and his proved to be the case when Jessie McGuinness rose unopposed to claim possession before passing to Conor Sheridan. With the minimum of fuss Sheridan pointed to reduce the arrears to three points.

The Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher was further reduced when James Bredin converted a free after Packie Hill was fouled.

Although he was having difficulty with his kickouts there was nothing wrong with Francis Keaneys shot stopping as he illustrated twice in quick succession to deny both James Bredin and Conor Sheridan both of whom seemed destined to score their sides opening goal.

A Paul Og Ferguson free six minutes before the break levelled matters before Declan Roper scored a fine individual point in the 30th minute to retake the lead for Melvin Gaels.

Having been held scoreless since Padraig Sweeneys 19th minute goal, Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher completed the first half Scóring when Diarmuid Clancy converted a free after Dermot Harkin was fouled.

With the scores level at 1-4 to 0-7 as the second half got underway not too many in Pairc Sean would have been able to predict with any degree of certainty who would emerge victorious.

Having finished the second half so strongly, Melvin Gaels scored the opening point of the half through Packie Hill just 23 seconds after the restart. However, any thoughts that Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher would be over run for the remainder of the game vanished within a minute as they struck for their second goal of the game.

After James Murrays initial shot hit the post, Ronan McGowan was on hand to apply the finishing touch and duly opened up a two point lead for his side.

Having worked so hard to recover from the setback of conceding the first goal questions were now being asked as to how Melvin Gaels would respond to the challenge of having to do the same again.

To their credit they responded well, but once again they found the Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher defence in top form while Melvin Gaels needed to guard themselves against the pacy counter-attacks which were so effective in the opening half.

One such counter-attack almost resulted in Glenfarne/Kiltycloghers third goal but Niall Clancy was denied by the outstretched boot of Paul Rooney.

Still trailing by two points and with 13 minutes of the game remaining, Melvin Gaels lifted their level of intensity and were duly rewarded when Conor Sheridan picked out midfield colleague Declan Roper after a good passing move. Roper made no mistake with his pointed effort to reduce the deficit to the narrowest of margins.

A Paul Og Ferguson point drew the sides level, before Melvin Gaels struck decisively for a goal that gave them a lead they had worked so hard to establish.

James Bredin picked out Packie Hill who found the Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher goal with a nice finish.

Having enjoyed the lead for a sizable portion of the game, Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher were now left with no option other than to attack in a bid to get themselves back into contention.

A Diarmuid Clancy free reduced the deficit to a solitary point, but the Melvin Gaels defenders were now showing that what they were capable of as they made life very difficult for their north Leitrim rivals.

At the other end two points in as many minutes from James Bredin, who scored from a tight angle and a Paul Og Ferguson free after Jessie McGuinness was fouled extended Melvin Gaels lead to four points and with just five minutes remaining it was looking as though they were on course for victory.

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher gave their all in the closing stages but found the Melvin Gaels defence, marshalled by Shane Ryan and Patrick McGowan in fine form.

There was time for just one more score as Diarmuid Clancy converted a free after Shane McLoughlin was fouled and Melvin Gaels held on for what was a deserved, but hard earned victory after a memorable game which both teams contributed greatly to.

Melvin Gaels
Paul Rooney, Shane Ryan, Patrick McGowan, Sean Kilkenny, Paul Brennan, Donal Clancy, Jessie McGuinness, Conor Sheridan (0-2), Declan Roper (0-2), Packie Hill (1-1), Peter McGowan (0-1), Paul Og Ferguson (0-3), James Bredin (0-3). Sub: Patrick Kilkenny for Peter McGowan (35 mins).

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher
Francis Keaney, Shane Ferguson, Paul Gilligan, Sean McManus, John McHugh, Diarmuid Clancy (0-6), Dermot Harkin, Niall Clancy, James Murray, Shane McLoughlin, Padraig Sweeney (1-0), Ronan McGowan (1-0), Shane McLoughlin. Sub: Stephen McManus for McGowan (52 mins), Daire Clancy for Sweeney (57 mins).

Referee: Brendan Sammon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article courtesy of Leitrim Observer and is located at LeitrimObserver.ie

 

 

17-Nov-09 by LeitrimObserver.ie