By Kevin Herron
South Antrim completed the Stout McDonald U-14 hurling championships over recent weeks with St Paul’s, St Galls and Lámh Dhearg all claiming success in their respective deciders.
Stout McDonald A Final
Rossa 0-2-2-11 St Pauls
Last year’s Stout McDonald finalists returned to the decider, but this time it was a rather more one sided encounter as St Pauls retained the trophy with a 2-11-0-2 victory at neighbours Rossa.
St Pauls were first off the mark through a converted Daire Gault free after 7-minutes and Gault doubled the lead from play following Bradley McDonnell’s pop off.
They extended their lead after Odhran O’Carroll’s shot dropped over with Gault then converting his second free.
The opening goal arrived just past the midway point in the half after Gault’s free dropped and Bradley McDonnell’s low shot found the net to make it 1-4-0-0.
Further scores from Ben Gamble and Lewis Hardy before the break saw their side in control at the interval and on course for retaining the Stout McDonald trophy.
The visitors picked up where they left off with Daire Gault notching his third converted free, but Rossa finally replied when Sé Whittaker kicked the loose sliother over.
A converted free from Cormac Carabine followed through Odhran O’Carroll sent over his second point of the afternoon.
Talisman Daire Gault brought his personal tally for five and four from frees with another conversion and his side then added a second goal shortly afterwards.
Lewis Hardy floated a high ball in and Fionntan Burns was able to guide the ball home to make it 2-09-0-2.
Late points from O’Carroll and Burns completed a straight forward victory for St Pauls as they retained the Stout McDonald.
Stout McDonald B Final
St Galls 2-13-1-4 St Endas
St Galls response to having their advantage cut to a point in the aftermath of Dillon Foy’s goal was to power home two goals of their own through Lorcan O’Rawe and Lewis McNeill as the Milltown outfit claimed the Stout McDonald B Championship with a 2-13-1-4 win over St Enda’s at Hannahstown.
St Enda’s began brightly with Dillon Foy and Odhran McAllister slinging over early points, and Conn Culbert halving the deficit with a converted free to get St Galls up and running.
Culbert tied things up temporarily though Odhran McAllister hit back from the same scenario to ensure his side kept themselves out in front.
The free-takers traded further placed balls and Eoin Rodgers then landed a 65’ to ensure the sides were level at 0-4 apiece.
St Galls would hit the front for the first time when Rodgers picked out Culbert to pop over their first from play of the afternoon.
They would double their lead before the half was out, Rogers placed ball dropped and Lewis McNeill was able to scoop up and fire over to give his side a 0-6-0-4 lead at the interval.
The Miltown outfit extended their lead upon the games resumption with Conn Culbert landing his fourth free of proceedings and then Oliver Crossan conjured a fine score to double their half time advantage.
The opening goal of the game was a much needed St Enda’s score as Dillon Foy steered the ball beyond the reach of Aodhan Mullan to make it a one-point game (0-8-1-4).
St Galls responded at the other end and restored their four-point lead with a goal of their own.
Rodgers dropped in a free and Lorcan O’Rawe gathered and flashed a shot high into the top corner past Lorcan Smyth.
They then found a second goal a few minutes later, despite the best efforts of Lorcan Smyth to keep the ball out in a congested six-yard line, Lewis McNeill did enough to steer the ball over the line and make it 2-8-1-4.
Their side were in control in the aftermath as Oliver Crossan doubled his personal account from play and Conn Culbert sent over a further free shortly after.
Culbert landed his first from play and a converted 65’ from captain Eoin Rodgers followed with Lewis McNeill sending over a further free before the game was out to wrap up a 2-13-1-4 win at the final whistle.
Stout McDonald C Final
A strong Lámh Dhearg side romped to the victory in the Stout McDonald C decider over a youthful but determined Gort na Mona outfit.
Early goals from Oran Agnew and Caiden McKay set the tone for the Hannahstown side with Ryan and Oran Hughes chipping in with points between Connolly Boyd netting a reply for Gort and Oisin Rea adding a point.
After an entertaining start the Lámhs seized complete control with Dylan Quinn helping himself to 4-5 unanswered scores and a further point followed after Rory Mulholland got himself on the scoresheet.
Gort na Mona would finish the first period strongly as Oisin Rea and Michael Campbell both found the net either side of Patrick Glennon and Dylan Quinn points- though it was the Hannahstown side that were firmly in control at the break.
The sides traded early second half points through Caiden McKay and Connelly Boyd. Dylan Quinn added his fifth goal of the afternoon with Boyd replying from a free.
The goals continued to flow with Caiden McKay and Ryan Hughes getting in on the act with Oisin Rea and Connolly Boyd carrying the fight for a Gort na Mona side that continued to battle on, however at the conclusion it was Lámh Dhearg who ran out convincing winners.
