Piercestown 1-7 Gorey CBS 0-6
The Allianz Cumann na mBunscoil MiniSevens finals were finished in style in Bellefield on Wednesday last with Piercestown and Gorey CBS treating supporters to a tense final that was very close right up until the end. The low scoring nature of the final was a credit to the hooking, blocking and tackling from both teams as they gave their all to claim the title.
Piercestown free taker Ben Stafford got the first score of the game with a well-taken long range free into the wind. Gorey were denied a wonderful goal when Conor Stafford saved brilliantly from a Seán Delaney shot and tapped it over the bar. Ben Stafford replied with a great score from play, an excellent effort out on the left sideline. This lead was then extended with a point from a Philip Dempsey 65.
Evan O’Dwyer pointed a Gorey CBS free to bring the difference back to a point and for the remaining half Gorey defended gallantly to keep themselves in the game as Piercestown put them under severe pressure. Ben Stafford scored a free from a tight angle to keep the halt-time score close at 0-4 to 0-2.
The second half began with a similar pattern of play to the first. Ben Stafford scoring another point from a free and then Gorey midfielder Sean Delaney scoring his second point from play. When Gorey levelled the scores in the fourth minute through another Evan O’Dwyer free, the game was set up for a thrilling finale.
The key moment of the game arrived when Sean Delaney made a huge solo run from midfield and seemed certain to score a goal only to be blocked heroically by Philip Dempsey when only yards from goal. Piercestown then won a free and cleared from defence only to win another free high up the pitch and it was from here that Ben Stafford scored the games decisive goal, a wonderful dipping effort that creeped in right under the crossbar. With four minutes remaining, Gorey had plenty of time to get back in the game but again they were to be foiled by the great work rate of the Piercestown backs and midfield. Ben Stafford put the cap on a wonderful performance with a huge point from just under the stand in the ninth minute and when Dickie Murphy blew the final whistle it sealed a great day at the office for the Piercestown boys and girls teams. Piercestown Captain Philip Dempsey accepted the cup from Rackard League Co. Treasurer John Brennan who congratulated both teams on an enjoyable final that was fought to the very end and commiserated with Gorey who earlier in the week had won the Allianz Cumann na mBunscoil MiniSevens football title.
