Denver delivers goods for late Ashford victory
ASHFORD ST HUGH’S 4-01 1-08
OISIN DENVER struck a last minute goal to give Ashford victory in the under-13 championship final at Avoca last Sunday morning.
It was heartbreaking for the combination team of Avoca and Barndarrig who seemed to have just done enough to edge a close contest.
A steady rain greeted the start of the match, and with Storm Brian having battered the county the day before, the pitch was extremely soft and slippy underfoot.
It was Hugh’s who made light of the conditions as they powered to a dominant start.
With Ryan Kavanagh and Harry Balfe laying a foundation out the field, the inside forwards of Luke Kennedy and Cian O’Neill looked dangerous.
It was Hugh’s who opened the scoring with Liam Murphy pointing after been fed by Kavanagh.
Kennedy and Ben Patterson had early goal chances superbly saved by impressive Ashford keeper Luke Moran before Kennedy got another one on one and he made no mistake as he fired home giving Moran no chance.
It was all the home side at this stage and further scores from Conn Keaney, O’Neill and Kennedy had Hugh’s leading by seven after 25 minutes.
Ashford rallied and a long ball by Adam Tighe held up in a puddle allowing Oisin Denver to bravely beat keeper Niall Byrne to the ball to toe poke through to Sam Greene who steered into the empty net. Kennedy responded instantly with a point to close the first half scoring.
On the resumption ,Ashford’s first attack of the second half led to a penalty. Luke Fitzpatrick stood up to drill his effort low and hard to the keepers right.
The game was now back in the melting pot. Up popped inspirational wing back Harry Balfe with a class point from out on the left wing.
Ten minutes into the second period and the game was level.
A hopeful punt into the Hugh’s square saw the ball drop to Fionn Kavanagh who hammered home from six yards out.
When wing forward Josh Bishop pointed Ashford’s first point seconds later to give the black and amber men the lead they seemed set to sail on.
However, Hugh’s responded superbly driven on by midfield stalwart Kavanagh they hit three scores on the spin.
Kavanagh struck an audacious effort to tie things up, Kennedy hit a beautiful free to give them the lead before Kavanagh showed terrific skill to scoop the ball off the ground at full speed before galloping in on the Ashford goal and drilling a shot between the uprights.
As the game entered injury time, Ashford proved their never-say-die spirit with one last attack.
Wing back Charlie Barmustia drove the ball out of defence and the ball bounced over Denver and his marker Brendan Stone. Denver spun quicker and took off like a rocket towards goal playing the ball soccer style, as keeper Byrne came out to narrow the angle.
Denver kept his cool and guided an effort beyond the reach of the unfortunate keeper to make the net dance with delight for Ashford.
Shortly after referee Mick Owen blew the full-time whistle to signal joyous scenes from the large Ashford crowd.
St Hugh’s were very unlucky to come up short and had the most impressive player on show in Ryan Kavanagh.
He was well supported by Luke Kennedy and Harry Balfe. For the victors their victory was owed to a never-say-die attitude and great team work all round the park more than individual performances. However, Josh Nicholls and Fionn Doyle were immense when they were under the cosh in both halves.
Scorers - Ashford: Sam Greene 1-0, Oisin Denver 1-0, Luke Fitzpatrick 1-0, Fionn Kavanagh 1-0, Josh Bishop 0-1
St. Hugh’s: Luke Kennedy 1-2, Conn Keaney 0-2, Ryan Kavanagh 0-2, Harry Balfe 0-1, Liam Murphy 0-1, Cian O’Neill 0-1
Luke Moran; Jake Cullen, Josh Nicholls, Charlie Barmustia; Ben Meade, Matthew Collins, Sam Greene; Evan Glynn, Fionn Doyle; Joseph Branning, Adam Tighe, Josh Bishop; Oisin Denver, Luke Fitzpatrick, Ben Kelly. Subs: Leigh Rasmussen, Fionn Kavanagh,
Niall Byrne; Peter Boddy, Rian Downes, Luke Kennedy; James O’Donnell, Ben Patterson, Ryan Kavanagh; Patrick O’Doherty, Tadhg O’Shea; Harry Balfe, Liam Murphy, Cian O’Neill; Sean Fleming, Conn Keaney, Brendan Stone. Subs: Harry Tobin Kelly, Josh Theron, Noel McDonald, Chris Fitzpatrick.
Mick Owens