Minor Final Report

Enniscrone/Kilglass 3-12 Owenmore Gaels 2-14 (AET)

Our minor team put together back-to-back ‘C’ championship titles following this hard-earned one point win over Owenmore Gaels in the final played at Markievicz Park last Saturday afternoon.

The team had to overcome a series of obstacles to win this title – Neil Byrne and Dónal Mullaney had to be substituted early on following a fiery start to proceedings, while Jack Kilcullen was harshly sent off in extra-time. Nonetheless, our guys gave a super display over the 80 minutes and dug deep when it mattered most.

Facing into the wind in the first half, we started slowly and Owenmore Gaels hit the front with two early scores. Robert Grimes kicked our first point in the fourth minute, but Owenmore Gaels responded with two scores on the trot before Nathan Hannon pointed for us to leave two in it after nine minutes.

Dónal Mullaney pointed a free after 12 minutes to reduce the gap to one, but Neil Byrne was soon withdrawn having received a nasty rib injury following a questionable tackle. Dónal Mullaney was also withdrawn after receiving a facial blow – the Owenmore Gaels man was subsequently red carded – as things began to heat up.

After this scrappy opening matters settled and Owenmore Gaels netted a 16th minute goal to put themselves in the clear. They added two further points before the break to leave our lads five points in arrears at the break, 1-5 to 0-3.

What ensued after the break was excellent from our boys. They started at a blistering pace and scored four unanswered points upon the resumption with Hannon (2), Robert Grimes and Hugh Cawley on target.

Owenmore Gaels responded with their first score of the half, but Oisin McCaffrey and Nathan Hannon replied to leave the sides locked together with ten minutes to go, 1-6 to 0-9.

Owenmore Gaels then netted their second goal in the 21st minute, and followed this with a point to leave our lads in trouble.

To their credit, they responded manfully and Oisin McCaffrey’s long range shot ended up in the net in the 24th minute, and it was nothing more than our boys deserved. This was followed by two points - Nathan Hannon and Mark Caffrey the scorers – to leave us in the ascendency as the game entered injury time.

However, Owenmore Gaels found a point with the last kick of the game to level matters, and send us into extra time.

Our guys now had to play against 11 men, with Owenmore Gaels allowed to replace their player that received his marching orders. They started brilliantly, with Robert Grimes scoring a first minute goal after a terrific catch from a high ball in.

Nathan Hannon also netted from close range in this first period, but Owenmore Gaels scored four points to leave our lads in a two point lead after the first period of extra-time.

After the restart, our lads battled tremendously despite having a man less after Jack Kilcullen’s red card. Terrific defending kept Owenmore Gaels at bay, and although they scored twice in this period, we scored through Nathan Hannon and finished one point up at the end of a pulsating 80 minutes.

Following proceedings, Sligo County Board Coaching Officer Padraig Clancy presented winning captain Hugh Cawley with the trophy.

Team: Gavin Hastings; Jason Morrison, Aaron Hannon; Neil Byrne, James Hannon; Dónal Mullaney(0-1, 1f), Nathan Hannon(1-6, 4f); Oisin McCaffrey(1-1), Mark Caffrey(0-1); Robert Grimes(1-2), Hugh Cawley(0-1, 1f) Subs: Daire O’Regan, Jack Kilcullen, Martin McManus, Brandon Fitzgerald, Darren Finnerty, Aaron Duffy, Mark O’Dowd Thomas Finnerty.  

Manager: Brendan Murray

Selectors: Ray Carden, Eugen Nelson