U17HL Division 2 League Final
Corpus Christi Gaels 1-8 All Saints 1-11
All Saints Ballymena staged a strong finish in this U17 hurling league final at Davitt’s Park today to kill off the challenge of a battling Corpus Chrisiti Gaels and take the title back to Slemish Park. The Ballymena side went through their league campaign unbeaten with four wins from four starts but lost the toss for venue for today’s final.
Davitt’s Park was in immaculate condition however and provided a worthy setting for this keenly contested decider as both sides gave it everything from throw in to final whistle and going into the second water break they could not be separated at 1-7 to 1-7.
It was during the closing quarter that All Saints found another gear as they out-scored the Gaels by 0-4 to 0-1 with the pick of these excellent points from play from team captain Joseph O’Rawe and mid-fielder, Aodhan McGarry.
The visitors led 1-3 to 0-3 at the first water break with their goal coming from Dara Martin and points from play and frees from the excellent McGarry giving them the edge and the equally impressive Deaglan Mooney leading the Corpus Christi response.
After the break All Saints edged further ahead with a point from Joseph O’Rawe but Corpus Christi had an opportunity to get right back into it when they were awarded a penalty but Mooney’s firmly struck effort crept over Ciaran McQuillan’s cross bar for a point.
Corpus Christi goal scorer, Jay Maguire prepares to pull the trigger.
A massive free from Aodhan McGarry and an equally impressive effort from Jamie McNally saw the gap remain at three as Terry Reilly sounded his half time whistle.
On the restart and with the wind behind them Corpus Christi began to get on top for a spell with their defence, in which Odhran Gorman and Ronan Quinn were excellent, closing down the All Saints defence and denying them space.
The Davitt’s Park side drew level when Jay Maguire got the final touch to a Deaglan Mooney ‘65’ to deflect the sliotar beyond the reach of All Saints keeper, Ciaran McGarry and when Conor Corr pointed them ahead for the first time in the 41st minute things looked to be going the way of the combination side.
Joseph O’Rawe levelled matters with a good point for the visitors to leave it all square at the end of the third quarter and at this stage it looked anybody’s game and it was going to take something special to win it.
Joseph O’Rawe provided it with a great point from play and Aodhan McGarry followed from a free to put a bit of daylight between the sides but Corpus Chrsiti responded through Deaglan Mooney to leave just one it again as nerves jangled along the respective side-lines.
The limping McGarry replied with another long range effort for All Saints and concluded the scoring from a 26th minute free. Corpus Christi pressed hard in the closing minutes but the All Saints defence stood firm.
Joseph O’Rawe fires over an All Saints point
A great game of hurling between two evenly matched sides and they could meet again in the championship decider later in the year as they are drawn in different sides of the draw.
After the game Davitt’s stalwart Eugene Gallagher presented the cup to a delighted All Saints captain Joseph O’Rawe
Corpus Christi Gaels: Odhran Quinn, Odhran Cosgrove, Odhran Gorman, Brady Maguire, Caoimhin Rainey, Ronan Quinn, Michael Darragh, Jamie McNally, Deaglan Mooney, James Wilson, Jay Maguire, Conor Corr, Conan McKinney, Luke Loughrin, Joshua Robb: Subs: T McCaffrey, Corey Darragh, Cahir Carberry.
Corpus Christi Gaels scorers: Jay Maguire 1-0, Jamie McNally 0-3, Deaglan Mooney 0-4, Conor Corr 0-1.
All Saints: Ciaran McQuillan, Diarmuid Casey, Conor McKenna, Rhys Haveron, Senan O’Boyle, Kevin O’Boyle, Archie McGreevey, Aodhan McGarry, Conan McMullan, Fintan Brady, Joseph O’Rawe, Tiernan McGurk, Matthew Mullan, Daniel McCoy, Dara Martin. Subs: Rory Dunne, Daniel Kelly, Pearse Martin, Connor O’Hara, Rory Taggart.
All Saints Scorer: Dara Martin 1-0, Aodhan McGarry 0-8 (4 frees) Joseph ORawe 0-2 Matthew Mullen 0-2
Referee: Terry Reilly (Gort na Mona)
Eugene Gallagher presents the U17HL B Cup to All Saints captain, Joseph O’Rawe
