South West U14 Cup Final
All Saints 4-3 Naomh Eanna 0-3
The final game of the South West U14 trilogy at Dunsilly on Sunday was the U14A final with All Saints, Ballymena and St. Enda’s, Glengormley competing for the U14 Cup.
The Ballymena side had raised a few eyebrows when they defeated league winners, Casement’s Portglenone in the semi-final at Kelly Park but were never the less expected to face a tough challenge from a St. Enda’s side who had recorded a league victory over them earlier in the year.
It was All Saints who set the standards right from the throw in when Conor Graham pointed in the opening minute and when Alex Leith bundled the ball to the net, a minute later, Benny McDonnell’s men were looking good.
The goal came after Odhran Cassidy had challenged for a high delivery and the ball broke invitingly across the St. Enda’s square where Leith was on hand to apply the finishing touch.
Featured image: Alex Leith and Conor Graham celebrate All Saints opening goal and (Above) Leith finishes to the net to send All Saints on their way to victory.
The Glengormley youngsters were doing all in their power to get their own game going but their best efforts were floundering on the rocks of a solid All Saints defence where Joseph Killough, Michael Killough and Shea Quinn were giving nothing away.
The Slemish Park side returned to the offensive and Joseph Collins in the Naomh Eanna goals pulled of a splendid save to deny Jack Orr as he unleashed a fierce shot on goal.
The second goal wasn’t long in coming however and this time there was more than a bit of fortune about as Alex Leith’s shot looked to have been saved by Collins in the St. Enda’s goals but the net minder was adjudged to have stepped over the line after the referee had consulted with his umpires.
A moment of misfortune by the Naomh Eanna number 1 who was otherwise excellent throughout the game and the Hightown side responded to this setback as Liam Regan finally opened their account from a pointed free in the 21st minute.
It brought only short respite however as All Saints responded with a goal from Conor Graham after a clinically constructed build up and at half time the ‘Saints’ looked to be in a strong position when they led 3-1 to 0-1.
St. Enda’s needed a strong start to the second half if they were to get back into contention and Daire Kelly raised their hopes with their first score from play in the 1st minute but it brought another response from the boys in white.
The towering Jack Orr replied with a point at the other end and Conor Graham followed with a shot to the net but this time his effort was ruled out for a square-ball infringement.
Orr followed with another good point for the Ballymena side and when Odhran Cassidy was on hand to redirect the big mid-fielder’s misplaced shot to the net in the 25th minute it was all over.
Substitute, Ruairi Hennessy brought Naomh Eanna’s total to 0-3 but at this stage it became a case of ‘what we have we hold’ as All Saints retained possession before Cathal McDermott’s full time whistle brought scenes of celebration.
A polished performance from All Saints, built on the first instance on a solid defence that denied Naomh Eanna any opportunity of getting the scores they needed to launch a serious challenge.
Ruadhan Rafferty, who had a good game for Naomh Eanna, drives forward from defence
They were solid throughout the field and their ability to get those early goals settled them down as they gave a confident performance that augers well for their future.
Despite losing heavily in the end St. Enda’s battled hard and had some excellent individual performance but on the day the breaks they needed just wouldn’t come.
Finally congratulations to Stephen Graham and his South West committee and helpers for organising a great event that ran like clockwork throughout the day and provided an excellent evening’s entertainment for the good crowd who attended.
All Saints:1.Eoghan Kelly, 2.Michael Killough, 3. Joseph Killough, 4. Odhran Dorrity, 5 Charlie Hearld , 6 Shay Quinn , 7 Charlie Buick, 8 Kadian McCambridge, 9 Jack Orr, 10 Alfie Gordon(c), 11 Conor Graham, 12 Finn Hudson, 13 Oscar Bradley, 14 Odhran Cassidy, 15 Alex Leith, subs Jack Curry, Shane McGarry, Keane Crawford, Conan Goodall, Conn Og McErlane, Oisin Henry, Oisin Walker, Kieran O’Loan, Max Wheatley, Caleb Laverty
Naomh Eanna: 1 Joseph Collins, 2 Odhran McMenamin, 3 Aidan McClean, 5 Oisin Gorman, 6 Ruadhan Rafferty, Jack McCotter, 9 Finley McCloy, 11 Liam Regan, 12 Daire Kelly, 13 Oisin Ryan, 14 Conor McKinley, 15 Lorcan McGarvey, 18 Oliver Gault, 19 Lewis Dobbin, 20 Ruairi Hennessy, 24 Patrick Cannon
Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)
South West treasurer, Colum Walsh presents a sponsorship cheque to Paddy McIlwaine who received it on behalf of the Saffron Gael
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South West Chairman, Stephen Graham presents the South West U14 Cup to All Saints captain, Alfie Gordon