They say that goals win games and this was certainly the case when Gorey CBS powered to another Allianz Cumann na mBunscoil MiniSevens football title in Bellefield on Monday last. Both teams served up a feast of scores and the skill levels of all players on show here were a credit to both the boys themselves and their coaches and mentors.
It was Gorey who made the better start with a fisted point from Seán Delaney. They then scored two Eddie O Brien Murphy goals in quick succession, the best of which was a clever flick into the net using his fist. Eddie was unlucky to get a very similar goal moments later when Dylan Kavanagh read his mind to make a brilliant save.
Rathangan began to work themselves into the game and were unfortunate not to get a goal of their own when Barry Roche couldn’t quite reach a Dylan O’Brien low delivery across the Gorey goalmouth. Kyle Kennedy also had an attempt at goal with a rasping ground shot from long range, but this was saved by the assured Gorey goalkeeper Ryan Gibney. Eventually scores came their way through a Dylan O’Brien free, an excellent Kyle Kennedy solo and point and well taken score from Adam Moore leaving the scores at 2-1 to 0-3 at half-time.
Rathangan however were to be undone in the second half by two Seán Delaney goals that helped Gorey to build up an unassailable lead. The first goal was a fortunate effort from a sideline kick that hung high into to the air and somehow drifted into the goal just over the Rathangan goaline defence. His second goal was a brilliant bottom corner finish that left the goalkeeper with no chance. Rathangan suffered further bad luck in front of goal at the other end of the pitch, when first Adam Moore couldn’t find the net after some great Rathangan build up play and then when Dylan O’Brien made a superb catch and rattled the crossbar. Kyle Kennedy also saw his shot go just wide of the Gorey post. Gorey meanwhile scored further points through two Calleum Travers frees and a Michael Dunne point from play.
Rathangan rallied bravely in the end for one final push and were rewarded with an excellent catch and well taken goal from Kyle Kennedy followed by an Adam Moore fisted goal but at this stage the Gorey lead was just too much and when referee John Diskin blew the final whistle it brought to a conclusion an epic match that had a bit of everything. The cup was presented to Gorey captain Dillion Dixon who made a special effort to thank the parents who had supported the team throughout the year.
