Connacht u17 Football Final
A remarkable year for our u17A footballers concluded last Friday evening with a Connacht Final against Westport at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence. The team reached the final after a nervy 1 point win against Roscommon’s Clann na nGael the previous Tuesday on a score of 1-10 to 1-09. With Westport enjoying an easier time of it in their semi final it was clear that this was going to be a big test for the team in their quest for a clean sweep of trophies at u17A level.
In a high quality game that had scores, drama & tension in equal measure, Oranmore Maree came out on top on a score of 5-12 to 5-11 to win a second Connacht u17A Football title in a row.
After a slow start, we were trailing by 1-04 to 0-04 after 20 minutes, with our scores coming from 3 Barry Keating points & 1 from James McGuire. Then a brilliant team move was finished to the net by James McGuire to bring us level. This was followed up by a point from Gus Lohan after a lung busting run from his centre back position & a superb volleyed goal from Barry Keating to leave us 4 up. However like any good heavyweight bout, Westport came back with the final 1-02 of the half to leave them leading by a point, 2-06 to 2-05, at half time.
Mirroring their quick start to the game, Westport came flying out of the blocks after half time with a quick goal putting them 4 points up. However the next 15 minutes belonged to the Oranmore Maree men who outscored Westport by 3-03 to 0-02. The goals coming from Tiernan Grealish with 2 brilliant finishes into the top of the net & a soccer style effort from Cillian Costello. Points from James McGuire, Tiernan Grealish & Barry Keating ensured that we entered the final quarter with a 6 point lead, 5-08 to 3-08. 3 further points from Barry Keating as well as a superb effort from Cillian Costello had us heading into injury time with a 5 point lead, 5-12 to 4-10. In keeping with the spirit of the game, Westport managed 1-01 in injury time to leave the bare minimum between the teams when the final whistle sounded, 5-12 to 5-11.
While the men mentioned previously got the scores, this was a true team effort. Brion Kearney made several important interventions in goal, while Stephen Ruane, Eoin Healy, Daniel Stokes, Tom Furlong, Gus Lohan & Cian Cusack battled bravely all night to get the better of the impressive Westport forwards. The work rate of Kian Dooley, Gavan Curran, Rian Donoghue & Joey Cullinane was outstanding & Aaron Hanrahan added to it in his 2 stints coming off the bench.
As the floodlights dimmed, captain on the night, Gavin Curran lifted the Canon Oliver Hughes Memorial cup to cap an outstanding season at u17A level for the club. Every cup available at U17A level in both Football & Hurling will reside in the parish over the winter.
Thanks to everyone who came out to support the team in Bekan as well as Team Sponsor Kilsaran.
A remarkable year for our u17A footballers concluded last Friday evening with a Connacht Final against Westport at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence. The team reached the final after a nervy 1 point win against Roscommon’s Clann na nGael the previous Tuesday on a score of 1-10 to 1-09. With Westport enjoying an easier time of it in their semi final it was clear that this was going to be a big test for the team in their quest for a clean sweep of trophies at u17A level.
In a high quality game that had scores, drama & tension in equal measure, Oranmore Maree came out on top on a score of 5-12 to 5-11 to win a second Connacht u17A Football title in a row.
After a slow start, we were trailing by 1-04 to 0-04 after 20 minutes, with our scores coming from 3 Barry Keating points & 1 from James McGuire. Then a brilliant team move was finished to the net by James McGuire to bring us level. This was followed up by a point from Gus Lohan after a lung busting run from his centre back position & a superb volleyed goal from Barry Keating to leave us 4 up. However like any good heavyweight bout, Westport came back with the final 1-02 of the half to leave them leading by a point, 2-06 to 2-05, at half time.
Mirroring their quick start to the game, Westport came flying out of the blocks after half time with a quick goal putting them 4 points up. However the next 15 minutes belonged to the Oranmore Maree men who outscored Westport by 3-03 to 0-02. The goals coming from Tiernan Grealish with 2 brilliant finishes into the top of the net & a soccer style effort from Cillian Costello. Points from James McGuire, Tiernan Grealish & Barry Keating ensured that we entered the final quarter with a 6 point lead, 5-08 to 3-08. 3 further points from Barry Keating as well as a superb effort from Cillian Costello had us heading into injury time with a 5 point lead, 5-12 to 4-10. In keeping with the spirit of the game, Westport managed 1-01 in injury time to leave the bare minimum between the teams when the final whistle sounded, 5-12 to 5-11.
While the men mentioned previously got the scores, this was a true team effort. Brion Kearney made several important interventions in goal, while Stephen Ruane, Eoin Healy, Daniel Stokes, Tom Furlong, Gus Lohan & Cian Cusack battled bravely all night to get the better of the impressive Westport forwards. The work rate of Kian Dooley, Gavan Curran, Rian Donoghue & Joey Cullinane was outstanding & Aaron Hanrahan added to it in his 2 stints coming off the bench.
As the floodlights dimmed, captain on the night, Gavin Curran lifted the Canon Oliver Hughes Memorial cup to cap an outstanding season at u17A level for the club. Every cup available at U17A level in both Football & Hurling will reside in the parish over the winter.
Thanks to everyone who came out to support the team in Bekan as well as Team Sponsor Kilsaran.
