Naomh Brid 2-9 Naomh Ultan 4-6
Tir Chonaill park was the scene off heartbreak for the u14 boys as they went down by 3 points in the regional decider. An illness struck regular goalkeeper Francis Barron and in the end was maybe the difference in winning and losing although nothing to be taking away to Naomh Ultan and their victory. It was the Dunkineely men who got the first score with a fortunate goal but Naomh Brid responded with 3 points from Billy Harron, Ryan Brogan and Jarlath Leonard. It was a very close affair from start to finish with a few individual duels taking place on the field. Naomh Ultan skipper Darragh Byrne was man marking Keelan Heaney whilst their own dangerman Darragh Murrin was being well marshalled by Philip Quinn. Murrin was kept scoreless from play but a few soft fouls giving away by the lads gave the dead-ball specialist the opportunity for scores. The better football was being played by the Naomh Brid men with a direct style playing into full forward Harron working well with him finishing the half with 3 points and Brogan added a free. Naomh Ultan then sent a high ball in to go over the head off the stand in keeper Luke Burgess who was very brave to stand in for the day and when another high ball was sent in from the Dunkineely men a goal line scramble resulted in another goal. Heaney pulled a 3 pointer back before half time to leave the score at the interval 3-5 to 1-7. Conor Mc Gloin was inspiring his full back line partners Reece Mc Grath and Philip Quinn to a super performance from the trio. Kieran Mc Grory getting stuck in again and the 2 midfielders working hard. It was a low scoring second half when maybe the nerves off playing in a final in front of a big crowd got to both teams. Naomh Ultan got a goal 10 mins in to the half to leave 7 between the teams. John Honey responded with a super score before another Murrin free split the posts, which would be Naomh Ultans final score off the game. 7 in it with 10 mins to go credit to the boys who dug deep and fought so hard. Heaney got a point before a sensational Leonard goal brought it back to 3. But there was to be no joy for the boys as Naomh Ultan crowded the game and to the credit hung on very well. Congratulations to them on the victory but we hope to meet them again in the county final in 2 weeks. Byrne and Murrins free taking were the stand out performance for the winners while Naomh Brid put in a huge team performance. Defense was super with the stand out player on the field Conor Mc Gloin driving them on from full back. The boys were devastated after the game but it is losing finals that inspires winning ones in the future. We now face Moville in county semi-final on Saturday evening at 5:45 with venue tbc. Another good turn out off supporters would be a massive boost to the team.
Team: Luke Burgess, Philip Quinn, Conor McGloin, Reece McGrath, Eoin Rush, Joseph McGrory, Kieran McGrory, Jarlath Leonard (1-1), Eoin McGrane, Keelan Heaney(1-1), Ryan Brogan(0-2), Shaun Robinson, John Honey(0-1),Billy Harron(0-3), Ethan Gallagher.
Substitutes: Edward Britton, Joe Britton, Jack Britton, Jason Gallagher, Owen Kilpatrick, Evan Walsh, Ryan O’Leary,