Ballymun end final dream of St Michael’s
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS’ goalscoring ability proved crucial in beating St Michael’s in yesterday’s Féile na nÓg Division 1 boys semi-final at Nemo Rangers.
The Dublin champions dominated the first half, but only had a 0-2 to 0-0 lead at half-time, the crossbar denying Conor Kavanagh a goal while St Michael’s goalkeeper Ger O’Connell produced a brilliant save to deny Anton Swann. Ryan Swift and a Swann free both raised white flags for Ballymun in the opening period.
St Michael’s began the second half in brighter fashion with Simon Lougheed converting an early free, Ballymun Kickhams settled the game with two goals in the space of a minute. The first arrived when Dylan Keating broke clear and unleashed a blistering drive to the net and then Swann hammered home the second goal.
St Michael’s received a lifeline when Conor O’Brien goaled to leave them trailing 2-3 to 1-1. But Ballymun Kickhams responded with full-forward Glenn Doyle curling a point and then rounding the goalkeeper to fire home their third goal. Patrick Fitzgerald hit a late point for Michael’s but Swann sealed it for Ballymun with a late point.
Scorers for Ballymun Kickhams: A Swann 1-2 (0-1f), G Doyle 1-1, D Keating 1-0, R Swift 0-2 (0-1f).
Scorers for St Michael’s: C O’Brien 1-0; S Lougheed (0-1f), P Fitzgerald 0-1 each.
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS: E Cumberton; L Young, S Brennan, R O’Leary; R Swift, C Kavanagh, C Fallon; A Elliott, J Talbot; C Keely, C O’Tighe, C Deegan; D Keating, G Doyle, A Swann.
ST MICHAEL’S: G O’Connell; J Cashman, D O’Brien, L O’Sullivan; S Lougheed, T Cremin, C O’Brien; E O’Sullivan, B O’Callaghan; P Fitzgerald, M O’Halloran, M O’Farrell; A Daly, C Cormac, S Hurley.
Subs used: G Kelleher, K Green, B Grainger.
Referee: J Dorgan (Nemo Rangers).
A FANTASTIC late save by St Finbarr’s goalkeeper Shane Hurley from a long-range piledriver by Ballydonoghue attacker Jack Foley propelled the Cork side into the Féile na nÓg Division 1 boys final after yesterday’s semi-final at Nemo Rangers grounds.
It was a remarkable stop by Hurley, who played at corner-forward in the first half but was brought back in goal for the second half after netminder Paul Crowley went off injured.
Defeat was rough justice on the Kerry outfit who were awarded a second half penalty following a foul on Shane Kennelly before referee Ger Harrington changed his mind after consulting with his umpires and awarded a hop ball.
A brilliant goal by wing-back Kieran Lynch gave Ballydonoghue an early lead and with Foley, who excelled throughout, and Brian Mason accurate in front of goal, they led 1-3 to 0-1. However, a Christopher Coleman goal hauled St Finbarr’s back into contention. Corner-forward Stephen Sherlock was superb from placed balls. landing a brace, to tie things up at 1-3 apiece at the break.
Ballydonoghue got an early second-half boost when Foley smashed home a fierce drive, but Sherlock cancelled that out when he slotted a shot into the bottom corner. Sherlock and Foley then traded points before St Finbarr’s pulled clear with points by Coleman and Eoin O’Sullivan.
Scorers for St Finbarr’s: S Sherlock 1-3 (0-3f), C Coleman 1-2, E O’Sullivan 0-1.
Scorers for Ballydonoghue: Jack Foley 1-3, K Lynch 1-0, B Mason 0-1.
ST FINBARR’S: P Crowley; C Buckley, E O’Sullivan, M Twomey; B Hennessy, C Buckley, C Scully; D O’Sullivan, S O’Leary; E O’Sullivan, S Hannigan, C Dennehy; S Sherlock, C Coleman, S Hurley.
Sub used: E Murphy.
BALLYDONOGHUE: C O’Mahony; C Horgan, Jason Foley, K O’Connell; K Lynch, M Foley, Joey Lynch; J O’Connor, B O’Seanacháin; Jack Foley, D Sheehy, B Mason; Joseph Lynch, K O’Donnell, S Kennelly.
Sub used: D Doyle
Referee: Ger Harrington (Carrigaline).
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