Competing in their seventh Under 21 Final in a row, Drumkeerin banished the pain of their Intermediate Final defeat by easily seeing off the challenge of Carrigallen to claim the 2008 Under 21 B Championship title last Sunday in Ballinaglera.

U-21 B CHAMPIONHSIP FINAL
DRUMKEERIN 2-12
CARRIGALLEN 1-7

A long year of footballing action came to a close for Drumkeerin and Carrigallen on Sunday last in Ballinaglera.

For the Drumkeerin players there was plenty to celebrate as they went a long way towards banishing the pain of defeat from the intermediate championship final while for Carrigallen there was little comfort to be found in defeat as the were out fought by their opponents.

The pain of defeat in the intermediate championship final was obviously a huge source of motivation for the Drumkeerin players as right from the throw in they looked like a team that were determined not to lose.

Right from the throw-in it was evident that this would be Carrigallens toughest match to date as the Drumkeerin players harried and competed for every ball.

The intensity with which the Drumkeerin players started the game was rewarded inside the opening minute as Darragh Flynn was played through onÓgoal and he finished confidently to the CarrigallenÓgoal to give his side the perfect start.

Drumkeerins excellent start continued as Flynn converted a third minute free while Carrigallen struggled to get going.

Finals are often decided by a significant turning point and Carrigallen may well point to the Ciaran Flynn effort which went wide of the goal when it seemed destined to find the net.

With the game five minutes old, Carrigallen attacked with purpose for the first time as Cillian Ward, Eamon OMalley and Ciaran OReilly all combined to carve open the Drumkeerin defence. When presented with the opportunity to get his side back in the game Ciaran Flynns sidefooted effort flashed just wide.

Having been allowed off the hook, Drumkeerin extended their lead with further points from Darragh Flynn and an Eddie McTiernan free.

It was fair to say that Drumkeerin, competing in their seventh consecutive U-21 final, and leading by 1-3 to no score had enjoyed the perfect opening 10 minutes and it got even better for them when Thomas Davitt struck for his sides second goal in the thirteenth minute.

Nobody in Drumkeerin will complain, but the goal was slightly fortuitous.

Davitt seemed to be well contained by the Carrigallen defence near the touchline and byline but he swung a foot on the ball, presumably looking to pick out one of the forwards in and around the goalmouth.

Somehow the ball managed to deceive goalkeeper Stephen Smith and curl into the goal to give Drumkeerin a commanding lead.

When captain Keith Gallagher pointed to open up a 10 point lead there wouldnt have been too many willing to put money on a Carrigallen comeback but to their credit they finished the half strongly.

Eamon OMalley had already passed up the opportunity to register Carrigallens opening score as he put two frees wide before Ciaran Flynn scored a wonderful point from a sideline ball.

Flynn who at times seemed to be on a one man mission to drag his team kicking and screaming to victory converted a free and then three minutes from time was on hand to finish an excellent team move to score Carrigallens only goal of the game.

Cillian Ward, Francis ORourke, and Eamon OMalley all linked up well before the ball came to Ciaran Flynn and this time there would be no mistake as Flynn finished soccer style to the net.

On the stroke of half-time Eamon OMalley pointed to leave the contest very much alive with Drumkeerin leading by 2-5 to 1-3.

If Carrigallen were to have any hope of fighting their way back into the contest they knew that a good start to the second half was essential. Unfortunately for them that is not how it transpired as Drumkeerin regained control.

Thomas Davitt was one of Drumkeerins standout performers but this was a team effort and the likes of Jason Byrne, Fintan Harvey,Eddie McTiernan and Darragh Flynn and midfielders James McPartland and Thomas Lavin all played a key role in defence for the north Leitrim side who built on their half-time lead, starting the second-half in the same determined manner.

Three minutes into the second half an Eddie McTiernan pointed free helped regain the initiative for Drumkeerin in what was a tough and physical opening to the half.

Further points from Darragh Flynn and another Eddie McTiernan free helped extend the lead for Drumkeerin before matters became considerably tougher for Carrigallen.

Frustrated with some refereeing decisions and presumably with the manner in which his side were playing, Eoin Ward decided to air his grievances to referee Cyril McKeon.

McKeon took exception to the protests and brandished Ward, who one can only assume used some choice language, with a red card.

A further McTiernan pointed free should have signalled the end for Carrigallen, but there was one man determined that his side would not go down without a fight and Ciaran Flynn scored four unanswered points to reduce the deficit to six points.

During this period Carrigallen threatened the most unlikely of comebacks and gave a glimpse of their performances in earlier rounds of the competition but ultimately it proved too little, too late.

With the advantage of an extra man and appearing to have fresher legs than their opponents, Drumkeerin scored three points in the final minutes of the game through Keith Gallagher, StephenÓgilhooley and Dean McVeigh to ensure U-21 championship glory for the second time in three years for Drumkeerin.

In doing so they went a long way towards banishing the heartbreaking memories of the intermediate championship when they were defeated by Aughnasheelin with virtually the last kick of the game.

Drumkeerin

Barry McPadden, Jason Byrne, Dean McVeigh (0-1), Thomas Davitt (1-0), Aidan Dolan, Fintan Harvey, Keith Gallagher (0-2), James McPartland, Thomas Lavin, Eddie McTiernan (0-4), StephenÓgilhooley (0-2), Darragh Flynn (1-3), Kevin Forde. Subs: Brendan McNama for Forde (36 mins).

Carrigallen

Stephen Smith, Barry Reilly, CillianÓgrey, Francis ORourke, Austin Morrow, Stephen Kenny, Ciaran Flynn (1-6), Gary Reynolds, Ciaran Reilly, Eoin Ward, Daniel Lyons, Eamon OMalley (0-1), Cillian Ward. Subs: Damien Masterson for B Reilly (30 mins), Aaron McManus for ORourke (50 mins), Liam ORourke for C Ward (57 mins).

Referee: Cyril McKeon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This full report is available thanks to Philip Rooney for the Leitrim Observer
– its available in this weeks edition of the Observer and online here

 

 

18-Dec-08 by Philip Rooney – LeitrimObserver.ie

A new era may be about to start for Melvin Gaels as they claimed the 2008 Masonite League Division One crown last Sunday in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, defeating great rivals and County Champions Glencar/Manorhamilton without three of their greatest servants.

MASONITE LEAGUE DIVISION 1
MELVIN GAELS 3-8
GLENCAR/MANORHAMILTON 3-6

Forced to line out without the injured James & Gareth Phelan and the absent Colin Regan, the Kinlough men were missing three of the key links from their 1998 Championship winning side, three players who have been the backbone of Melvin Gaels teams for years.

Yet in their absence, a ferociously committed and hungry Melvin Gaels proved the better team in most sectors of the field and were convincing winners, except for a dramatic finale that saw Glencar/Manor grab two injury time goals!

Minus their experienced trio, the young Gaels stepped up to the plate and took on responsibility where it might have previously been left to others, a feature of the game that spells good news for the Kinlough side in the years ahead.

But what Melvin Gaels did display was a ferocious hunger for victory, something that was evident the minute they ran onto the field. Everyone worked their socks off and while their old failing of fading out of games may have hampered them once or twice during the game, their commitment never dropped.

Going for the double, Glencar/Manor never displayed the same sort of desire as their neighbours.

It was clear that the Gaels would run through a brick wall in pursuit of the ball but at the end of a long, tiring season, Glencar/Manor didnt seem to have the same sort of motivation as several of their players stood up and watched after they lost possession.

Yet the Manor men came very close to pulling off a great escape with two late goals that caused quite a deal of consternation on the Melvin Gaels bench. With two minutes of added time announced, James Glancy scored what seemed to no more than a consolationÓgoal.

But the drama heightened as added time continued for another three minutes and the Championship winners grabbed yet another goal, putting Melvin Gaels under ferocious pressure in a dramatic finish to a game where the Kinlough men had dominated.

Gareth Phelan has been a permanent fixture in the Gaels goals for years but young Jesse McGuinness did a man of the match job in denying Glencar/Manor certainÓgoals on at least three occasions, fantastic saves that hint at a long future between the posts.

Colm McGowan also came up with a vital goal-line clearance in the first half as Fabian McMorrow led a defence that might have creaked and groaned under the pressure but one that never gave up battling, working and fighting.

Emlyn Mulligan mightnt have rung up the sort of figures he normally does but that would ignore a vital contribution in controlling the flow of the Melvin Gaels game-plan.The County man showed a different side of his game, controlling the pace in the second half, using his head and doing all the unglamorous work that wins games.

Conor Sheridan, Paul Brennan, Paul Og Ferguson, Stephen McGurran all epitomised the never-say-die work ethic of Melvin Gaels as they spent as much time harrying Glencar/Manor, often in the Gaels half of the field, as they did attacking and causing problems for the Manor rearguard.

Emlyn Mulligan opened the Scóring with a first minute free but had a shot from the right wing gathered by Manor keeper Gary Loughlin shortly after.

Replicating Mulligans feats, Adrian Croal first had a narrow wide after a run but followed up with a lovely point after a Pat Gilmartin catch set Dominic Kelly free following a good pass.

Melvin Gaels almost broke through for a goal on five minutes when a high ball broke loose to Emlyn Mulligan some 20 yards in front of the Manor goal on five minutes. However, the County man blasted a horrible wide in a real let-off.

But the Kinlough side didnt have to wait long for the breakthrough as the ball broke again from a long delivery and David McSharry drilled a wonderful low shot to the Manor net for a dramatic goal.

Both sides were guilty of poor misses with Manors attempt at an instant reply thwarted when the County Champions opened up the Gaels rearguard only for Colm McGowan to block the shot on the line with a fabulous block. From the rebound, Dominic Kelly shot wide in a costly miss.

Kelly then let his frustrationÓget the better of him as he was booked for a foul on Paul Brennan, Emlyn Mulligan sending a monster 55 yard free over the bar in a brilliant score on 12 minutes.

Paul Brennan hit a wide but made immediate amends with a great score from the corner as Melvin Gaels broke quickly and effectively.

However, this finally spurred Glencar/Manor into action as James Glancy & Alan Sweeney both knocked over quick points to narrow the gap to a goal. And they reduced that lead further when Fintan McGourty, who got away with a few steps, twice dodged tackles to fire over from 40 yards.

Glencar/Manor then put together a wonderful team point, started when David Poniard absorbed a big hit on the right wing.

He shook it off and the ball went through two or three hands before Darren Sweeney scored a great point from the right wing on 23 minutes.

Melvin Gaels looked in real trouble at this stage but they showed real mettle, even if their first point in 13 minutes was a missed goal chance! Mulligan and Paul Brennan broke clear and set up Brendan Brennan straight in front of the goal, only six or seven yards out.

A goal looked certain but a fantastic full-length diving block from Shane Devaney saw the shot deflected across the bar.

Mulligan then added a brilliant effort from the left wing, a free that curled in and over the bar before Conor Sheridan added a final coup de grace when Dominic Kelly lost the ball out the field and Melvin Gaels quickly worked the ball to Sheridan for a fine point.

That left Melvin Gaels 1-6 to 0-5 in front at the break

That lead was almost wiped out just seconds into the second half when a free was fisted across the Gaels goal to Brian McDonald. The corner-forward hesitated a fraction and Jesse McGuinness made a wonderful diving save to push the ball around the post.

Manor put a lot of pressure on but all they had to show for it was a James Glancy free on four minutes. It seemed as if the double was gone from their grasp five minutes later when a great move down the wing saw Paul McGurran charge towards the Manor goal.

Having played a one-two with Paul Brennan, McGurran seemed as if he had run into a cul-de-sac when surrounded by three defenders but he worked the ball back to Brennan who came charging past a static defence and floated a ball across the face of the goal to his unmarked brother Brendan who fisted the ball to the net.

It was a crucial score and Manor heads definitely dropped, so much so that Fabian McMorrow popped up from centre-back with a brilliant 40-yard point on 15 minutes.

But Manor showed they werent gone yet when McGuinness made another great save, tipping a fisted Glancy effort onto the post and clear after an Adrian OFlynn shot dropped short on 19 minutes.

However, Glancy wasnt to be denied and after two Melvin Gaels defenders got in a mix-up with a high ball, the County man fisted Brian McDonalds pass to the Gaels net on 21 minutes.

Glancys roller-coaster took another turn when he had a bad wide from a free and Melvin Gaels made them pay with a peach of a goal. The Gaels broke with Emlyn Mulligan and Conor Sheridan making the most of gaps appearing in the Manorhamilton rearguard.

Sheridan played a ball over the top to Brennan who broke through a tackle and then chipped Gary Loughlin for an outstanding goal on 26 minutes.

That seemed to be that, particularly when Packie Hill set up Mulligan for his teams last point.

Indeed, it seemed as if a penalty a minute into the two minutes of added time announced was nothing more than a consolation when Brendan Brennan clearly lay on the ball as Glencar/Manor sought a late consolation.

James Glancy stroked the penalty home but it seemed like nothing more than a late consolation, particularly as the announced time was almost up.

However, referee Brendan Sammon showed no inclination to blow the final whistle and play continued. Incredibly for a team that never got going in attack, Manor struck for a third goal.

Again a high ball in the goal-mouth caused the problems with Pat Gilmartin drilling home to suddenly leave just two minutes in it after three minutes of added time.

With Melvin Gaels mentors and players getting increasingly annoyed by the amount of added time being played, Manor continued to attack but the Gaels held firm, blocking James Glancys free to claim the League crown.

Melvin Gaels

Jesse McGuinness, Joe McGowan, Stephen Clancy, Colm McGowan, Paul McGurran, Fabian McMorrow (0-1), Anthony Tiffoney, Martin McCarron, Stephen McGurran, Paul Og Ferguson, Emlyn Mulligan (0-4), David McSharry (1-0), Paul Brennan (1-1), Brendan Brennan (1-1), Conor Sheridan (0-1). Subs: Packie Hill for McCarron (51 mins), for C. McGowan (62 mins).

Glencar/Manorhamilton

Gary Loughlin, Michael Poniard, Shane Devaney, Thomas McDonald, Shane Loughlin, Adrian OFlynn, David Poniard, Fintan McGourty (0-1), Pat Gilmartin (1-0), Dominic Kelly, Darren Sweeney (0-1), Adrian Croal (0-1), James Glancy (2-2), Alan Sweeney (1-1), Brian McDonald. Subs: Ronan McGourty & James OBrien for A. Sweeney & M. Poniard (42 mins), Anthony McDonald for Kelly (48 mins).

Referee: Brendan Sammon.

 

 

 

 

 

This full report is available thanks to John Connolly for the Leitrim Observer
– its available in this weeks edition of the Observer and online here

 

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18-Dec-08 by John Connolly – LeitrimObserver.ie