Photographs: JJ Lawell
South West U16 Hurling final
Naomh Eanna 4-13 All Saints 2-8
Naomh Éanna u16s completed an epic quintuple following an enthralling victory against All Saints Ballymena, at Allen Park, Antrim on Sunday.
The Glengormley side showed exactly why they have won every game they have played this season; reconvening from a 5 point deficit at half time to go on and win by 11 points.
Ballymena were in fine form and got off to a great start taking the first point from play. They were the underdogs on the day but pinned Naomh Éanna back in the early stages showing that they meant business.
Luke O’Connor opened the scoring for Naomh Éanna following a sublime passage of play and great teamwork when Sean Murray broke the ball, played a lovely pass to Oisin Quinn who battled through three players, laying off to O’Connor who popped it over superbly.
It was nip and tuck in the early stages with each team scoring tit for tat before Ballymena scored a superb goal midway through the first half taking a 3 point cushion. All Saints Aodhan McGarry, Ryan McCartney and Joseph O’Rawe were having fantastic games causing problems for the Glengormley men. Ballymena scored 2 great goals from play and it could have been 3 only for some fine goalkeeping from Pearse Rogers.
At the other end of the field the All Saints defence were coping with nearly everything that came their way with James O’Boyle at full-back and his sibling, Kevin at centre half playing out of their skins.
Naomh Éanna weren’t their usual selves in the first half or perhaps weren’t being allowed to be and early changes were required as was a dose of the old ‘hair dryer treatment’ from Naomh Éanna Bainisteoir Aodhán McGrath to rally the troops.
Fired up and ready for war na Laochra Gael came out for the second half flying. They showed great mental strength and did not panic while chasing the game. With ice in their heads and fire in their bellies the black and amber waves of attack just kept coming and coming.
Malachí McGibbon and Ciarán McAllister came on to steady up the defence. Oisín Quinn dropped in to sweep winning plenty of ball in a tactic that changed the game massively. As a result Ballymena only scored one point in the entire second half.
Ryan Noble got an important early goal with points coming from Ronan Eagar; and Conor Bradley to level the game.
Cian OConnor came on ten minutes into the second half and really helped turn the game with excellent link up play; also winning high balls and setting up Ronan Eagar for a lovely goal.
Richard Gorassau won a high ball midway through the second half to win a penalty, which was converted by Eagar as Naomh Éanna gained control and grew in confidence.
Dara Maguire marshalled the back six all day showing outstanding leadership and broke out from half back to set up some lovely counterattacks.
The forward line kicked back with precise and clinical scoring in the second half – showing fantastic maturity and calmness when under immense pressure. Indeed the Ballymena goal was peppered at times with both posts and cross bar hit; as well as a string of great saves and excellent goal line clearances from All Saints.
Naomh Éanna got stronger and stronger as the game went on with Oscar Smyth scoring 1-3 in the second half.
Spare a thought for the Ballymena side however. Minus a number of players who would surely have aided their cause and fielding with quite a number of U14’s in their side they were inspirational in the opening half but visibly tired as the game progressed.
Their mentors should be really proud of the effort they put in, particularly in the opening half when they looked like defying the odds but in the end had to succumb to a superb St. Enda’s side.
FT: NÉ 4-13; AS 2-8
Goal scorers:
Ryan Noble
Oscar Smyth
Ronan Eagar 2-0
What an amazing season these young Gaels have had. 100% winning record; with an historic clean sweep of 5 trophies.
