Minor B Football Championship (Final)
Casement’s Portglenone 0-12 St Gall’s 1-08
A late point as the impressive Odhran Doherty held his nerve in the last few seconds of extra time to despatch a free kick between the posts, secured Casement’s the Minor B title at the expense of St Gall’s in Toome on Sunday.
Little had separated the protagonists throughout and although the sod was good a stiff southerly breeze oft time accompanied by rain made conditions less than comfortable for the big attendance or the teams in competition.
The South West side enjoyed the favours of the breeze for the opening period and it was to prove to their benefit from the outset.
Odhran Doherty, who was to figure prominently throughout had the Portglenone support on their feet in the early phase as he converted a couple of long range frees.
Padrai O’ Muirigh who was to prove prominent in the Gall’s side had opened their account with an excellent point but that was to prove the Milltown lads sole score in the first period.
St. Gall’s were facing the stiff breeze and were struggling to link approach play with scores with James Mc Aleese and Odhran Doherty bossing the central zone and net minder Tomas Duffin more than content in the offensive mode as he sent Odhran Doherty away to split the posts in the 23rd minute.
St Gall’s did trouble the Casement’s rear guard for a time without reward in scores with Casements increasing advantage with a further score as the fleet footed Conor Burns and James Mc Veigh and roving net minder Tomas Duffin combined to open the way for Odhran Doherty to raise another white flag and make it 0-04 to 0-01.
The Portglenone side dominated in the final minutes of the first half, aided by the stiff breeze but were finding scores hard to come by as the wide tally increased to seven in as many minutes.
Odhran Doherty finally found the target in the last minute with a late pointed free to ensure an interval lead of 0-05 to 0-01 but with the breeze now to face in the second half.
The Milltown Row side with the aid of the stiff breeze for the second half opened with a spring in the proverbial step and had drawn level by the 45th minute with points from Conor McVeigh (2), and Padraigh O’ Muiri.
Casement’s regained advantage again in the 21st minute with a point from James McVeigh but back came the city lads and a well worked left sided approach involving Liam Lynn and Cairbe Mac Adhaimh and Padraigh O’ Muirigh concluded when Conor Mc Veigh delivered to the back of the net.
St Gall’s had nipped a couple of points ahead in the shadow of the winning post but Casements found a response and Odhran Doherty despatched back to back frees directly between the posts to level the contest and send the game into extra time.
St Galls elected to play with the aide of the elements in the first half and started brightly with back to back points from the impressive Padraig O’ Muirigh and when Aodhan Pierce added another the advantage was three.
They had an opportunity to put the game out of reach at this stage as Portglenone got turned over in the St. Gall’s half with keeper Tomas Duffin out of goal but Cairbe Mac Adhaimh fired wide of an empty net, much to the relief of the South West side.
Still they looked on their way to the title but the last score in first period saw the excellent Odhran Doherty despatch a 30 metre free between the post following a foul on wandering net minder Tomas Duffin and only a point separated the sides as the last ten minute period commenced.
It was nip and tuck as back to back points from Callum Parker and Aodhan Pierce saw the City side gain advantage but the Casements were quick to make reply and keeper Tomas Duffin levelled matters with time almost up.
Casement’s made one last push and Conor Burns was fouled with the free moved forward for dissent and despite the pressure, Odhran Doherty kept his cool to despatch the 30 metre kick directly between the posts and the Minor B title was Portglenone bound.
An excellent game of football with little to separate the sides throughout and on another day the title might well have been on its way to Milltown but St. Gall’s will rue a couple of gilt edged goal chances that went a begging.
It’s been a great season for the Portglenone lads with many of Sunday’s side featuring in their County U16A success over St. Brigid’s and in the Breslin Cup and Laverty Cup victories.
Casements: Tomas Duffin (0-01), Tomas Douthart, Conor Morgan, Conor Dunlop, Chris Mc Donnell, Oisin Mc Atamney, Ryan Mc Keever (0-01), Odhran Doherty (0-03), James Mc Aleese (0-03), Conor Mc Cann),James Mc Veigh (0-03), Tom Convery (0-01) Conor Burns, Conor Mc Keever (0-02), Frank Mc Aleese (0-02)
Subs
Ryan Mc Allister
Rory O’ Kane
St Galls: Joshua Soulken, Daire Treacy, Segduce Mc Adaimh, Ethan Walsh, Liam Burns, Liam Lynn, Callum Parker (0-01), Aaron Mackle (0-01)Padraig og O’ Muirigh (0-03), Chris Hale, Cairbe Mac Adhaimh, Aodhan Pierce, Paul Austin, Conor Mc Veigh (1-03), Odhran Bellew (0-01)
Subs
Leanne Mac Bradaigh
Seamus Kelly
Donal Mac Eoghan
Liam O’ Fionnagan
Brendan Marken
Referee: R Leahy (St Ergnat’s)
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