Naomh Éanna defy the wind and rain to claim Minor B crown

Minor B Football championship final

Naomh Éanna 1-09

Gaeil an tSéibhe Dhuibh 1.07

Photographs courtesy: J.J. Lawell

With the league already in the bag and nothing but a toss of a coin in it, na Gaeil an tSéibhe Dhuibh, arrived to Páirc Éanna as slight favourites, having already won the league and beating Naomh Éanna by a point to confirm league honours earlier in the season.

As everyone knows, with Championship, league goes out the window and the wet slippery conditions did have an affect early on, but as both teams adjusted the standard of football at the minor grade was good, in the driving rain we were treated to some excellent points from distance and the score of the match came from substitute Michael Devenny, when under pressure, he gave the Hightown side a single point advantage as the clock counted down to full time, the victory was assured as inside forward, Fionn Nagle tagged on the security point to put the two between the teams on 32 minutes played in the second half.

Right from the beginning the form book was cast aside as Naomh Éanna raced into an early lead with a goal in the first minute and worked to maintain the advantage until na Gaeil an tSéibhe Dhuibh grabbed one back four minutes into the second half to bring both teams neck and neck, na Gaeil an tSéibhe Dhuibh would go ahead for the first time in the match 6 minutes into the second half and looked certain to push on and win the match, but the Hightown men were writing a different script, they worked, made changes and kept the score board ticking over, as the game progressed both teams from we point for point, keeping the game in the balance.

The inside forward line for Naomh Eanna (McBride, McKeown and Nagle) and half forward Conor Eastwood, caused on-going problems for the amalgamation team of Gort na Móna, CLG Uí Dhomhnaill and Davitts and a special mention for the na Gaeil an tSéibhe Dhuibh fullback had an excellent game throughout.

A man of the match performance by Minor Captain Rónán O’Neill at number 7, provided a platform and his work rate ensured his team ended on the right side of the game

During the presentation at the end and of course as we move into U21 Championship phase, the momentum for both sets of players was highlighted by Antrim Chairperson Ciarán McCavana, he encouraged all players to ensure that in the forthcoming weeks, months and years, they join and become important parts of their own respective seniors panels.

Full time score from Páirc Éanna

Naomh Éanna 1-09 Gaeil an tSéibhe Dhuibh 1.07

Naomh Éanna

1, Conor Small

2, Niall Davey

3, Owen Kennedy

4, Odhrán Mac Grugáin

5, Tiernan Donnelly

6, Ryan McCloskey

7, Rónán Ó Neill

8, Adam Lamb

9, Neill Kelly