Allianz Roinn A Boys Final
Gorey CBS 2-7 Rathangan 1-3
The drive for five was a achieved on an historic night for the Rackard League as Gorey CBS claimed five Allianz Roinn A titles in a row a fantastic achievement. However they were made to work all the way by this spirited Rathangan outfit and it wasn’t until the closing stages that Gorey put some daylight between the sides.
Gorey got off to a flyer opening the scoring with a fine point from the impressive Tiernan Doyle after a surging run. This was quickly followed by a major from the tigerish Michael Dunne who followed up on Sean Delaney’s initial effort which crashed off the post to leave the Rathangan boys reeling. Two further points from Calleum Travers and Tiernan Doyle, free, and it looked ominous for the boys in blue as they struggled to get a foothold in the game. However some inspirational saves from Dylan Kavanagh and brave defending from Brian Kavanagh and Andrew Walsh ensured that Rathangan kept in touch. On sixteen minutes Dylan Kavanagh deflected a piledriver from Seán Delaney for a 45 and from the resultant free kick he somehow managed to keep his goal intact from a barrage of shots. This seemed to kick start the Rathangan boys and they came more into the game. However it was a night for goalkeepers as just when it looked that Rathangan were through on goal Ryan Gibney produced an excellent save from Darragh Furlong. Rathangan opened their account with a free from the hard working Andy Kennedy with twenty minutes gone. However just on the stroke of half time Seán Delaney broke through the Rathangan rearguard and cracked an unstoppable shot to the top corner to make it 2-3 to 0-1 at half time.
Gorey picked up where they left off after the break with their forwards displaying great understanding and team work. A brace of points from Calleum Travers and Michael Molloy extending their lead. Rathangan received the life line they needed when Andy Kennedy intercepted a clearance advanced and rifled the ball to the roof of the net. Dylan O’Brien tagged on a pointed free and a further point from Conor J Ryan after good work from Kyle Kennedy left just four in it with five minutes remaining. Rathangan continued to press but Eoin Molloy and Dillon Dixon frustrated their attempts with some excellent defensive work. Indeed it was impact sub Gtracjan Dettclaff who steadied Gorey with an expertly converted 45 and it was left to captain Tiernan Doyle to seal victory with an inspirational point. This was a fantastic game of football with both teams playing intelligently and all the skills were on display.
Mention must also go to Gorey mentors Podge Cronin and John O’Brien who have consistently produced excellent teams to achieve the five in a row. Afterwards a delighted Tiernan Doyle received the Allianz Rackard Cup from John Brennan of the Rackard League.
Gorey: Ryan Gibney, Michael Kennedy, Eoin Molloy, Ross Padoe, Dillon Dixon, Fionn O’Loughlin, Ben O’Connor, David Christie, Eoghan Kennedy, Michael Molloy, Tiernan Doyle, Calleum Travers, Michael Dunne, Seán Delaney, Eddie O’Brien Murphy. Also: Lee Kenny, Michael Duke, Gtracjan Dettclaff, Evan O’Dwyer, Derick Woods, Dillon Connolly, Steven Mourdant, Maxs Densiuik, Jack Molloy, Darragh Levingstone, Caleb Byrne Murphy.
Rathangan: Dylan Kavanagh, Michael Carroll, Andrew Walsh, Mark Sinnott, Barry Stone, Brian Kavanagh, Philip Rawson, Adam Moore, Kyle Kennedy, Darragh Furlong, Dylan O’Brien, Conor J Ryan, Andy Kennedy, Seán Staples, Barry Roche. Also: Karin Byrne, Evan Daly, Kevin Breen, Darragh Kent, Darragh Byrne, Rory Farrell, Ciarán McDonnell, Shane Kirwan, Peadar Byrne, Jamie Somers, Peter Cleary, Conor Ryan, Jack Byrne, Sam Seery, Finn Bennett.
Referee: Dickie Murphy
Allianz Rackard League Roinn B Boys Football Final.
Bunclody 4-5 Glynn 0-4
Bunclody proved to be too strong for a brave Glynn side in the first of the finals played under lights in Belfield on Thursday last. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the closeness of the exchanges of this game but Bunclody had some excellent finishers in their ranks who capitalised on any opportunities that came their way.
Both teams took a while to settle and it took until the eleventh minute for the impressive Eddie Black to open the scoring with a pointed free. Both defences were on top in the early stages cutting down space and exerting pressure on the ball carrier. However, a flowing move saw Edward Dunbar’s pass to Cathal Dunbar unlock the Glynn defence and he shot to the top corner of the net. Bunclody were dominating at this stage and a pointed free from Eddie Black was quickly followed by a major from the fleet footed Edward Dunbar who ran onto a searching pass from Byron Byrne to blast to the roof of the net with twenty minutes gone. Jack Brazzill, who worked hard throughout, opened Glynn’s account with a pointed free and Brazzill and Black traded further frees to make it 2-3 to 0-2 at half time. Glynn could count themselves unlucky to be behind by this margin as on a number of occasions they lost control of the slippery ball bearing down on goal.
Glynn were rocked on the resumption when a towering free kick from Eddie Black dipped under the crossbar to extend Bunclody’s lead. To their credit Glynn responded with a fine Adam Wogan point on the turn and a pointed free from Brazzill. Dylan Lyne and Cormac Rowe were becoming more prominent as Glynn came more into the game. Adam O’Leary went desperately close to getting a much needed goal for Glynn but his shot whizzed wide. The Bunclody backs closed ranks at this stage with John McCormack, Daniel Farrell, Mickey Furlong and Jamie Kavanagh getting through great defensive work. Further points from Black and a final goal from the hard working Mylie Connors sealed a famous victory for the Bunclody boys. Mention must also go to James Roberts and especially George Rankin who has been promoting football in Wexford for manys the day. Joint captains Eddie Black and Ciarán Kavanagh received the Allianz Rackard Cup from John Brennan of the Rackard League.
Bunclody: Peadar Cowman, Michael Roche, John McCormack, Daniel Farrell, Adam Hogan, Mikey Furlong, Jamie Kavanagh, Eddie Black, Ciarán Kavanagh, Byron Byrne, Mylie Connors, Edward Dunbar, Gee Connors, Steven Kavanagh, Cathal Dunbar. Also: Aaron Hayes, Ryan McDonald, Robert Weston, Thomas Tobin, Aidan Mahon and Adam Raleiligh.
Glynn: Diarmuid McDonald, Conor Clarke, David Roche, Shane Doyle, Jack Doyle, Cormac Rowe, David McDonald, Dylan Lyne, Ciarán Marlow, Matthew Banville, Jamie O’Shea, Adam O’Leary, Luke Codd, Jack Brazzill, Adam Wogan. Also: Dylan Kehoe, Liam Berry, Darragh Nolan, Jack Kavanagh, Ryan Long, Conor Lacey and Wayne Connolly.
Referee: James Owens