A CLINICAL DISPLAY
Bannow-Ballymitty power to shield
BANNOW-BALLYMITTY powered to the New Ross Standard Under-14 football Division 4 shield with a clinical performance in St. Patrick’s Park on Tuesday.
The Grantstown boys made the final the hard way, travelling to Craanford to book their spot in the decider, and that tough test clearly stood to the winners as they kicked a string of fantastic scores to motor away to victory.
Any time a side produces their best form for the final, it generally needs a top showing from the whole squad.
That’s exactly what Bannow-Ballymitty got with a smothering defensive showing, an energetic midfield combination, and a dynamic attack.
For this young Marshalstown-Castledockrell team it was another learning experience. The club has done a great job getting a squad together and this group didn’t let anyone down.
They put in a tireless effort and were still attacking right up to the final whistle, despite the scoreline.
They got off to the worst possible start as Bannow-Ballymitty bossed the opening quarter. Alex Power kicked a fine early point and was involved moments later when the exceptional Cathal Cummins soloed through and fired past Blaise Kearney.
Michael Harpur picked out Joe Devlin in the twelfth minute but the full-forward’s shot was blocked. The ball ricocheted out to Evan Sinnott-Colfer and he made no mistake with a clinical floated finish to the Marshalstown-Castledockrell net.
Things got even better for Ban- now-Ballymitty when Lee Kennedy found the top corner seconds later.
Down by 3-2 to nil, Marshalstown-Castledockrell responded. Tadhg Dunne smashed a shot off the bar and it flew over before Michael Ivers tapped over a closerange free.
Philip Roche and Harpur both hit the woodwork before the break but their side still went in 3-4 to 0-2 ahead.
Dunne’s left-footed effort moments after the resumption was just rewards for a bright start by his side to the second period.
However, Joe Devlin responded at the other end and Bannow-Ballymitty put a run together. Substitute Aaron Hogan found the net, Michael O’Dwyer and Conor Cleary got their names on the scoresheet, and the unstoppable Cummins rounded out a fine night with a late goal to see the victors home in style.
Bannow-Ballymitty: Mikey Davey; Conor Cleary (0-1), Seán Fleming, Leon Ffrench; Cillian Cullen, Cormac McGee, Jack Anglim (capt.); Michael Harpur, Michael O’Dwyer (0-1); Alex Power (0-1), Cathal Cummins (2-6, 0-5 frees), Lee Kennedy (1-0); Evan Sinnott-Colfer (1-0), Joe Devlin (0-3), Philip Roche. Subs. - Dylan Murphy for Kennedy (28), David Harney for Cleary (30), Aaron Hogan (1-1) for Ffrench (37), Eoin Roche for Power (40), Cleary for Cullen (42), also Dylan Nacey, Wal Cullen, Luke Waters, Cathal O’Dwyer.
Marshalstown-Castledockrell: Blaise Kearney; Peter Leacy, Conor Walsh, Shane Roche; Fionn O’Leary, James Byrne, Dylan Bolger; Adam Somers (capt.), Tadhg Dunne (0-3, 1 free); Naoise O’Leary, Noah Kearney, Jack Morris; Evan Quigley, Michael Ivers (0-1 free), Kyle Dagg. Subs. - Colin Ivers for Walsh (30), Leo Morris for Quigley (36), Conor Byrne for O’Leary (43), also Craig McDonald, Cian Leacy, Conor Salt.
Referee: Aiden O’Brien (Cloughbawn).