Eire Og have the edge
Brave Baltinglass outfit are beaten after extra-time
EIRE OG G’STONES BALTINGLASS 2-12 3-07
EIRE Og and Baltinglass played an exciting U-13 Football Shield final in Ballinakill on Friday night last.
The sides were all square, 3-6 to 2-9, at full time but Eire Og came out on top at the end of ten minutes of extra time – five minutes each way.
Conditions were calm and dry but very cold.
The heavy sod meant that it was unwise for players to attempt bouncing the ball.
As the players took to the field, the Eire Og side appeared to have an advantage in size and strength with many of their players appearing to be up to the age.
However, the Baltinglass youngsters proved as the game progressed, that excellent goods can indeed come in small parcels.
Oisin Shanahan put Eire Og one point up almost from the throw in and both he and his midfielder partner Ruairi Parker went through a period of early dominance.
When Dean Kelly scored the Slaneysiders’ first point after eight minutes, it seemed to settle his side down.
Centre-back James Fleming, despite giving away size to his opponent, came strongly into the game.
Jack Kenny, Jamie Furlong, Robert McHugh, Dean Kelly and Matt Fisher were proving to be good ball players and kept the pressure on the Eire Og defence.
However, with Oisin Shanahan, Ruairi Parker, Patrick Byrne and Chris Stuart driving them on, Eire Og added points from Patrick Byrne, Finn Brien and one from Chris Stuart which hopped over off the crossbar after twenty minutes.
Five minutes later Baltinglass received a timely boost when strong running full-forward Adam Keogh brought the ball in along the end line and shot for goal.
Gearoid Murphy saved well but livewire corner-forward Matt Fisher was on hand to finish off for a goal to level the score.
Oisin Shanahan immediately responded with a point for Eire Og. Jamie Furlong levelled matters again from a free but Ruairi Parker struck a decisive blow when he netted for Eire Og just on the call of half-time.
The half-time score was Eire Og 1-5, Baltinglass 1-2.
Just as he did in the first half, Oisin Shanahan pointed in the first minute of the second half.
Eire Og continued to press but they began to build up a wides total – both from frees and play – which reached double figures by the end of the game.
In contrast, Baltinglass were taking their chances. Adam Keogh was now operating at midfield and helping to keep the pressure on the Eire Og defence.
Jamie Farnan pointed, Jamie Furlong added another, followed by a pointed free after ten minutes Ruairi Parker pointed an Eire Og free but the Baltinglass defence was holding out well, with corner-back Charlie Byrne having a great second half.
Midway through the half, Baltinglass struck a decisive blow when they netted two Jamie Farnan goals inside a minute.
Matt Fisher had a big part in the second goal when he rounded his man out near the corner flag and floated in a cross while Farnan punched home.
Eire Og put on a lot of pressure but continued to be wasteful.
Baltinglass full-back Gordan Peggs came into his own at this stage, and cleared a lot ball.
Goalie Jake Doyle made a great save with six minutes left on the clock but he could do nothing about Patrick Byrne’s shot to the net with four minutes left.
Byrne levelled the game with a point a minute later. Baltinglass worked the ball up-field from the kick-out and when Farnan was fouled, Robert McHugh put his side back into the lead from the free with two minutes to go.
However, in the first minute of time added, Ruairi Parker pointed a free for Eire Og to bring the game to ten minutes of extra-time.
Jamie Furlong pointed a free for Baltinglass to leave the Slaneysiders ahead by a point at the break.
However, Eire Og finished the stronger and two points from Patrick Byrne and another from Ciaran Foley got his side home on a scoreline of 2-12 to 3-7.
After the game Eddie Leonard presented the Harry Leonard Shield to the winners Eire Og.
The Wicklow People Man of the Match award went to Darragh Rush of Eire Og.
Scorers - Eire Og: Patrick Byrne 1-4, Ruairi Parker 1-2, Oisin Shanahan 0-3, Finn Brien 0-1, Chris Stuart 0-1, Ciaran Foley 0-1.
Baltinglass: Jamie Farnan 2-2, Matt Fisher 1-0, Jamie Furlong 0-3, Dean Kelly, 0-1, Robert McHugh 0-1.