Owenmore Gaels 2-18 Coolera/Strandhill 4-12 AET
A pulsating U-16 B Championship final ended all square on Monday evening as extra time failed to separate the teams.
After a cagey opening Coolera opened the scoring from a placed ball. Our response was instant with Daragh Mahon, who would prove a menace throughout, raising the green flag after been set up by good approach play from Oisin Geraghty and Kevin Quigley. The teams exchanged points, ours a nice effort from Byron Doherty. Coolera then struck for their first goal after a great run from their wing-forward. When Coolera pointed straight after they looked like taking over but our response was excellent. We hit four points in a row, the first a sweet strike off the ground from Mahon who had assumed free taking duties. Ciaran McPartland, Aaron Walsh and Quigley were the other scorers to leave us 1-5 to 1-3 ahead at the turn-around.
Coolera raced out of the traps in the second half. We couldn’t get going in the first 15 mins of the half. Coolera scored 1-5 where we could only muster a solitary strike through Quigley. Aaron Walsh pointed to stem the tide. Coolera responded with a point to leave the score 2-9 to 1-7 in their favour with 10 to play. However we would not give in. 2 points in a row from Mahon including a free pulled us back into it. Geraghty played a captains role to drive at the Coolera defence to shoot over on his left. We again won possession in the middle, where Jamie Callaghan and Mark Walsh were now dominant which ended in a free where again Mahon was unerring. We had clawed back to a point behind with 2 minutes injury time to be played. We summoned the energy to charge at the Coolera defence once more, the ball ending up with Doherty who stroked over to the jubilation of the crowd. There was still time to win it, when we won the restart and ended up winning a free over on the right. Roan Conneely stepped up to the plate and was so unlucky to see his effort bounce off the bar and wide. The full time whistle was blown and extra time was required, Score Owenmore Gaels 1-13 Coolera 2-10
Coolera got the first score of the extra period before we hit our best patch in the match. Quigley scored the first of 3 quality points he would score in this period. Aaron Walsh struck for a goal when he finished of a pass from Quigley after a great move. Conneely added a free with Quigley’s 2 more to put us in a 6 point lead. However Coolera broke to score a goal right on the half time to pull themselves right back in the game.
When Coolera raised another green flag at the restart one feared the worst. We dug deep and managed to point after a good move upfield, through Connaill O’Dwyer. Coolera equalised and then hit the front right after to leave us a point down with 2 minutes remaining. We worked the ball upfield which ended in a free. Mahon again kept his cool to drive over and once again level matters. The final whistle was blown to end a remarkable game.
Both teams were visibly shattered after giving their all in a brilliant contest. The work rate and intensity was constant throughout. We had strong performances all over the field. Diarmuid O’Grady was excellent on his return from injury in goals with some crucial saves. Geraghty drove us from the middle, with Callaghan’s ball winning crucial in this area. Mahon and Quigley were the pick of the forwards with Doherty also prominent. Evan Willis was excellent at the back, intercepting time after time and using the ball very well.
We now need to rest up for a few days and regroup and look forward to another chance at claiming the title, date to be confirmed
Team: Diarmuid O’Grady, Jack Branley (Diarmuid Harte), Liam Gilligan, Evan Willis, Roan Conneely (0-1, 1F), Jamie Callaghan, Vincent Harte, Oisin Geraghty (0-1), Mark Walsh, Byron Doherty (0-2), Kieran McPartland (0-2), Darragh Mahon (1-5, 3F), Jordan McGuinn (Connaill O’Dwyer (0-1)), Aaron Walsh (1-2), Kevin Quigley (0-5) Subs: Jamie Feeney, Martin Weir, Rhys Willis