U-14 All-County C Football Final
St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass 7-08-8-10 St Teresa’s
Kevin Herron reports from Dunsilly
FIVE-Days after winning the South Antrim Fr Mullan Plate, St Teresa’s powered to All-County honours with a 8-10-7-08 win over Moneyglass in a magnificent C decider at Dunsilly on Friday evening.
Cristoir McCabe shot his side into an early lead inside of two minutes, but Shea Scullion replied with the game’s opening goal after his shot dipped St Teresa’s keeper Ethan McErlean.
A point followed from Colm Gribbin and St Ergnat’s stretched their lead when Sionán McCormack drove through and applied a close-range finish to give his side a 2-01-0-01 lead.
McCormack would add to his goal with a converted 45’ but their lead would diminish as St Teresa’s came roaring back.
A kick-out from Daire Quinn was gathered by Cristoir McCabe and his shot evaded Quinn with a bounce that trickled to the corner of the net.
McCabe rattled the bar with a shot two minutes later and fortunately Joseph Varndell was waiting to turn home and make it a one-point game with only 10 minutes on the clock.
Points were traded between Cahir McErlain and Cristoir McCabe though a third goal inside of the opening 14 minutes would edge St Teresa’s ahead for the second time.
Damien Melaney floated a high ball into the area and Cayden Devlin palmed home from close-range to make it 3-02-2-03.
In response, Sionán McCormack landed a magnificent point with a high shot that dropped over the posts.
St Teresa’s had keeper Ethan McErlean to thank for preserving their lead with a super save that denied Shea Scullion his second of the half.
Instead, they would pull further ahead through a Cristoir McCabe point and a deflected Darragh McDonald goal that had them 4-03-2-04 ahead with five minutes to the break.
Their five-point advantage wasn’t enough though as Moneyglass finished the half strongly. Sionán McCormack’s pace was proving a problem to deal with as he galloped through as ease and blasted home.
McCormack made another trademark burst but this time McErlean did enough to turn his shot behind at the expense of a 45’ that McCormack played short to Shea Scullion to float over.
A minute into added time McCormack lashed home his hat-trick after evading a succession of last-ditch tackles as his side were 4-05-4-03 ahead at the end of an exhilarating half.
St Teresa’s regained the lead inside of 60-seconds of the restart through a Gerard Delaney shot that bounced to the net, and Kaiden McKay dropped over a point shortly afterwards.
Talisman Cristior McCabe added his second of the evening as St Teresa’s opened up a five-point advantage for the second time (6-04-4-05), but it was short-lived as Sionán McCormack blasted low to the net.
Damien Melaney flashed a shot over the bar to double his account and Joseph Varndell did likewise from a superb McCabe pass in behind.
Moneyglass were thrown a lifeline when referee Gerard Dougan awarded them a penalty for an illegal lift off the deck, but the opportunity passed them by as Ethan McErlean sprung low to his right to repel McCormack’s penalty.
Points were traded between McCabe and Cahir McErlain and the same duo bagged goals within a minute of each other as the four-points remained the difference midway through the second half.
Jude Melarkey cut the deficit to a goal inside the final 10 minutes, but St Teresa’s had the chance to pull clear when they were awarded a penalty for trip inside the square.
Cristior McCabe seized the responsibility and blasted low to the net to move his side 8-07-6-07 ahead with six to go.
McCormack tried to hit back instantly- though he had to had settle for a point with McCabe responding.
St Teresa’s insurance score arrived a minute from time as Damien Melaney swung over to give a seven-point advantage.
In injury-time that lead was eaten into when Sionán McCormack was denied by McErlean and a push in the aftermath saw Moneyglass awarded a second penalty.
This time Shea Scullion stepped up and he made no mistake, however time was against his side as Cristior McCabe added a further score before the conclusion as his side were worthy 8-10-7-08 winners at the end of a truly magnificent game of football under the Dunsilly lights.
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