U16B Football Championship final
St. Ergnat’s 3-8 Gort na Mona 2-7
On a perfect night for football under the Dunsilly lights the U16 B Championship final saw St Ergnat’s Moneyglass face Gort Na Mona. With both sides showing early final nerves it was the Skilful Joey Griffin who got the South West side on their way with an early point followed by a goal and a further point from the same player.
Gort na Mona were creating opportunities themselves with a combination of resolute defending by the Moneyglass defence, where Niall Quinn in goals was excellent and wayward shooting kept them scoreless.
The Turf Lodge side would finally get off the mark through a point from Aodhan O’Hanlonand when Lorcan Cordner followed with a goal it was game on with only a point separating the sides.
Moneyglass looked shocked but reacted positively with a goal from Sionan McCormack and another from that man Griffin and when Lurghan Hardy and his midfield partner Daniel McErlain added two points, St. Ergnats were back in control.
Gort na Mona’s only first half response came from mid-fielder, Nathan McKenna who split the posts at the other end but at half time Moneyglass were in a strong position when they led 3-05 to 1-03.
Second half proceedings got underway with a rejuvenated Gort na Mona showing their intent from the throw in driving forward at every opportunity and Aodhan O’Hanlon pointed and when Michael Donnelly finished to the net for their second goal the St. Ergnat’s lead had been reduced to three points with 15 minutes gone.
The South West side had been held scoreless during this period and this was followed by a big moment in the game, with advantage being played to Gort na Mona and they looked certain to score a third goal.
Moneyglass keeper, Niall Quinn came to his side’s rescue with an excellent save however the ball brought back for the earlier infringement, which was converted and it was now a two point game 3-05 to 2-06 and all still to play for.
This seemed to push St. Ergnat’s on as they began to wrestle the advantage away from the opposition with Joey Griffin and Sionán McCormack scoring to extend their lead to four again and that was how it would finish with both sides exchanging late point through Jack Wisdom and Joey Griffin.
A great advert for Juvenile football and a credit to both sides for an entertaining game with plenty of talent on show from both sides but in the end it was the Joey Griffin inspired St.Ergnat’s who did enough to claim the trophy.
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