Celtics 1-17 Sligo 1-13
A young and swift moving Celtics team, all products of the New York Minor Board, got the better of a seasoned Sligo squad after extra time in the Junior B football final. Celtics started impressively hitting three points in the first three minutes, courtesy of Jack Donohue, Tom O’Loughlin and Aaron Traynor.
Sligo then got going with points from Ruairi O’Caoilean and Andy O’Connell. Celtics had the lion’s share of possession as midfielders Daniel Sheahan and Shane Smith kept the forwards well supplied, but Celtics spurned several bone fide scoring chances. Ryan Lang increased Celtics’ lead, but on a counter attack, keeper, and team captain Rory Naughton did well to parry a Sligo goal-bound effort to safety. Midway in the period Jack Donohue goaled after a good delivery from Daniel Sheahan, and young Donohue followed with a point from play. At the other end, Ruairi O’Caoilean and Jason Kelly, Sligo’s most productive and influential players, added points. Still as the period closed, Celtics looked to be coasting comfortably as they led by double scores 1-7 to 0-5. On resumption, both sides traded spectacular points from sharp-shooters Ruairi O’Caoilean and Tom O’Loughlin.
Then play was interrupted for a few minutes as the eligibility of a substitute was challenged, apparently the player was dismissed for disciplinary reasons in an earlier game.
Celtics still appeared to have the momentum as Aaron Traynor and Ryan Lang added two points to lead by 1-10 to 0-7 after ten minutes. That scene changed quickly as Sligo hit their most productive spell, hitting 1-3 over the next ten minutes to draw level. Jason Kelly was a powerhouse in the middle, Niall McDonagh banged in a goal and, Ruairi O’Caoilean was unerring from play and placed balls.
When play switched to the other end after Sligo’s scoring surge, Jack Donohue drew a free, which Tom O’Loughlin pointed. It was now tit for tat as a foul on Sean Thompson left Ruairi O’Caoilean to tap over a free. Celtics went back in front with an O’Loughlin free after a powerful run from Daniel Sheahan was illegally impeded.
Then with five minutes left Sligo went in front for the first time on the back of a brace from O’Caoilean. Celtics now went on the hunt for the equalizer, and center-forward Aaron Traynor saved the day. At the end of the hour, it was all square at 1-13 apiece, thus necessitating added time to determine a winner. Near the close of the first ten minute period, Aaron Traynor got a point, while Sligo failed to score and they also had a player dismissed. In the second period Celtics appeared to have more in reserve as Sligo seemed to be running close to empty. When push came to shove, their chief score-getters got them over the line. Aaron Traynor had a brace, and his second could easily have gone under, and Tom O’Loughlin added the final score.
Overall Celtics were the better balanced team as players such as Sean Tierney, Conor Cronin, Daniel Sheahan, Jack Donohue, Tom O’Loughlin and of course man of the match Aaron Traynor assumed the mantle of leadership when it was required. Sligo got good performances from Brian Queenan, Ronan Carter, Paul McDaid and Sean Thompson but too much of the load fell on the shoulders of their top scorer Ruairi O’Caoilean and veteran Jason Kelly, their most dynamic player. Celtics will now be performing in the Junior A ranks next season.
Celtics: Rory Naughton(capt), Michael Croke, Connor Cronin, Sean Tierney, Jack Mahoney, Declan Hughes, Jack Muldoon, Daniel Sheahan, Shane Smith, Sean Carty, Aaron Traynor(0-6), Ryan Lang(0-2), Tom O’Loughlin(0-7), Ryan Scanlan, Jack Donohoe(1-2). Subs. Francis Cole, Darrel Gaughan, Steve Lotti, James Smith, Caoilainn Conroy, Michael Buckley, John Egan.
Sligo: Michael Deasy, Brian Queenan, Darragh McConnon, Kevin Reilly, Andy Flynn, Ronan Carter(capt), Niall Mullen, Sean Thompson, Brian Glynn, Andy O’Connell(0-1)l, Paul McDaid, Caolan Dines, Niall McDonagh(1-0), Ruairi O’Caoilean(0-11), Jason Kelly(0-1). Subs Darragh Gill, Jamie Brannigan, David Brennan, Ronan Calinan, Adam Lynch, Chris Dempsey, Niall Judge, Sean Manly. Referee Michael Reilly, Man of Match Aaron Traynor.
2nd title for Kingdom
Kerry 4-14 Shannon Gaels 0-13
Kerry capped off a very successful season as they captured their second title, namely the intermediate league crown. A first half goal blitz saw off the challenge of the young and gamely Shannon Gaels squad. Meanwhile Shannon Gaels started well and Senan Price had the opening score. Niall Madine quickly replied for the Kingdom and Peter Fox added another.
Then for most of the first quarter the Queens squad enjoyed plenty of possession, but they squandered several goal chances. However Fintan Corbett did land a fine point with a good assist from Luke Corridan. When play switched to the other end Niall McCarthy was the last cog in a four player movement as he crashed the ball to the net. Now the Kingdom were firing on all cylinders as Keelan Hickey fired over a minor from long range. Then straight from the kick-out Hickey sliced his way in for major number two. Center-back James Walsh displayed his scoring skills with a fine long range effort. In fairness to Shannon Gaels, despite the increasing deficit, they battled back as they put four unanswered points on the board courtesy of Liam O’Connell(2), Senan Price and Sean Smith. However the mini scoring spree was short-lived as Peter Fox struck goal number three after a long diagonal delivery from Liam Kearney. Mike Dorgan chipped in with a point before sharp-shooter Niall Madine blasted in the fourth goal. Kerry went in at the break leading by 4-6 to 0-6.
On resumption Oisin Mathers and Luke Corridan sent over a pair of points, but it was then back to the Kingdom’s scoring script as they put five unanswered points on the board courtesy of Niall McCarthy(3), Niall Madine and Colum Logue. Shannon Gaels needed goals to get back in contention but Mike Cronin, James Walsh, Shane Mangan and company had the paths well sealed up to their goal. So the Gaels had to settle for points from Senan Price(3) and Danny Corridan(2). In the end the goals were the difference as the more experienced Kingdom side fully exploited the thirteen player league format to create golden goal opportunities. Despite the wet and windy conditions, both teams served up an entertaining game for the few hardy souls that braved the miserable climatic conditions.
Kerry: Kevin Dwyer, Mike Cronin(capt), Aidan Long, Sean Liddy, James Walsh(0-2), Shane Mangan, Liam Kearney(0-1), Michael Dorgan(0-1), Peter Fox(1-1)), Niall Madine(1-3), Keelan Hickey(1-2) Niall McCarthy(1-5), Colm Logue(0-1). Subs David Langan, Kenneth Quirke, Cillian Courtney, Sean Flavin, Dylan Wallace, Ciaran Hughes.
Shannon Gaels: Ryan Corrigan, Aidan Mooney, Sean Corridan, David McNamara, Danny Corridan(0-2), Luke Corridan(0-1), Rob Corridan, Fintan Corbett(0-1), Liam O’Connell(0-3). Oisin Mathers(0-1), Ashton Walsh, Sean Smith(0-1), Senan Price(0-4). Subs Eamon Doran, Sean Kelly, Sean Roche, Nico Shannon, Dylan Gunning, Sean Reid. Referee Shane Hogan, Man of Match James Walsh.
Junior A Semifinal
St. Barnabas and O’Donovan Rossa were scheduled to play in the semifinal at 2:00. Shortly before the throw-in O’Donovan Rossa informed the GAA that they would not fulfill the fixture as they had issues regarding the scheduling date. Meanwhile St. Barnabas togged out and the referee threw the ball in and duly awarded the game to the Bronx boys. At this juncture St. Barnabas and Rangers are scheduled to play the junior A league final next Sunday at 2:00 pm. The senior league final between St. Barnabas and Rangers was postponed on Sunday.
