Both U19 B divisional football finals went to extra time last night before Saint Michaels and Menlough-Padraig Pearses emerged victorious. In the West Board Final in Killannin, Saint Michaels defeated An Cheathru Rua 2-12 to 1-14 while in Duggan Park, Menlough-Padraig Pearses overcame Kinvara in another thriller 2-16 to 3-10 AET.
In Ballinasloe, first-half goals from Charlie Conneely and Adam Noone gave Kinvara a 2-4 to 0-7 half-time advantage, but Menlough-Padraig Pearses battled back to level the match at full-time 2-7 to 0-13. With momentum in their favour, Menlough-Padraig Pearses dominated the extra-time period, with goals from Thomas Mellody and Harry Mitchell opening up a 2-16 to 2-9 lead before Kinvara finished with a consolation goal to round off a terrific advertisement for football. Darren Kelly watched the action...
After the game, Darren spoke to Thomas Flynn, David Reilly, Niall Carty and Brendan Dolan from the winning management team...
Menlough-Padraig Pearses scorers: Kian Mitchell 0-8 (0-6f), Thomas Melloday 1-3, Harry Mitchell 1-2, Ciaran Keating 0-2, Jonah Donnellan 0-1.
Kinvara scorers: Cormac Ivers 0-5 (0-3f), Stephen O'Grady 1-2 (0-2f), Charlie Conneely 1-0, Adam Noone 1-0, Jack Kilkelly 0-1, Jarlath Leech 0-1, Matthew Meares 0-1.
In Killannin, there was an equal measure of high drama, as St Michaels clung on to win the West Board title by the narrowest of margins after extra time against a gallant An Cheathru Rua. The sides were level at 1-10 each at full-time before a goal by St Michaels full-forward Eanna Coffey at the start of extra time gave the city side an advantage they would not relinquish. The Connemara side did have a late chance to take the lead from the penalty spot, but Eoinin O'Cualain's well-struck effort came back off the post to leave St Michaels in front at the finish by 2-12 to 1-14.
After a well-contested first half, Cheathru Rua led by 0-5 to 0-4, but six minutes into the second half, a long ball into the square by centre-forward Kane Campbell ended up in the net for a St Michaels goal that put them 1-5 to 0-5 ahead. Ten minutes later, An Cheathru Rua were level when Fionnán O'Conghaile found the net to leave it 1-6 apiece heading into the final quarter. An Cheathru Rua landed three of the next four points to go 1-9 to 1-7 ahead with 10 minutes left, but St Michaels fought back strongly in the closing stages to level the match again at 1-10 each and send the game to extra time. Eanna Coffey's goal had St Michaels 2-10 to 1-12 ahead at half-time in extra time, and in a tense closing 10 minutes, the missed penalty and a late Kane Campbell point for the winners proved the key moments.
Best for St Michaels were half-backs Cian Horan and Cian Cloherty, midfielders and joint-captains James Summerville and Ronan Mac Giolla Rí and forwards Kane Campbell and Eanna Coffey, while An Chathru Rua were best served by midfielder Maitiú O'Domhnaill, centre-forward Fionán O'Conghaile and full-forward Eoinín O'Cualain.
St Michaels: 1. JJ Philips, 2. Matthew Murphy, 3. James Keane, 4. James O'Flaherty, 5. Cian McNeill, 6. Cian Horan, 7. Cian Cloherty, 8. James Summerville, 9. Ronan Mac Giolla Ri, 10. Manus Sheridan, 11. Kane Campbell, 12. Killian Keady-Coakley, 13. James Keenan, 14. Eanna Coffey, 15. James Coyle. 16. Aaron Hester, 17. Luke Carroll, 18. Colm O'Donoghue, 19. Conor Cloherty, 20. Sean Keane, 21. Migane Duvernois. Management: Sean Summerville, Mark Bane, Tony Fitzpatrick, Paul Horan, Paul Mulkerrin, Niall Campbell, Dave Mullally (Physio)
An Cheathru Rua: 1. Seosamh mac Donnacha, 2. Sean O'Flannagáin, 3. Ruadhán O'Domhnaill, 4. Eoin O'Sé, 5. Pat O'Murchú, 6. Keelan MacDonnacha, 7. Joe Neachtain, 8. Maitiú O'Domhnaill, 9. Colm O'Loideáin, 10. Eoin O'Flathartha, 11. Fionan O'Conghaile, 12. Cian O'Cualáin, 13. Conaill O'Conghaile, 14. Eoinin O'Cualain, 15. Lorcan O'Lupain. 16. Jeaic O'Griofa, Kieran Mac Diarmada, 18. James Ó'Carra, 19. Ruadhán O'Coisdeallbha, 20. Patrick O'Fearghail, 21. Caomhan O'Tuathail, 22. Conaill O'Cualain, 23. Padraig O'Maolalaidh, 24. Shay O'Mainnin, 25. Mici O'Sé, 26. Shane MacDomhnaill, 27. Oisin O'Flathartha, 28. Oisin O'Griofa, 29. Mairtin O'Maille. Management: Paraic de Paor (Bainisteoir), Sean Barra O'Griofa (Roghnóir), Ciaran Phetie Mac Donncha (Roghnóir), Peadar O'Loideain (Roghnóir).
Ref: Paddy O'Griofa
The victorious St Michaels squad and management.
