Second Devlin goal makes sure of Bannow-Ballymitty’s success
BANNOW-BALLYMITTY 3-8 MARSHALSTOWN-CASTLEDOCKRELL 2-8
JOE DEVLIN capped a fine individual display with the winning goal five minutes from time as Bannow-Ballymitty battled past a gallant Marshalstown-Castledockrell side to take the Gorey Guardian Under-15 football Roinn 2 shield in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy.
The powerful number 11 latched on to a feed from the influential Cathal Cummins, beat the last defender, and gave Blaise Kearney no chance with a powerful finish to the net to put the exclamation point on a fine game of football.
Back and forth the contest had swung previously. Marshalstown-Castledockrell probably had a size disadvantage but used their impressive technique to build an early lead.
Tadhg Dunne, Noah Kearney (two) and Michael Ivers were all on the scoresheet as they moved 0-4 to nil clear.
Bannow-Ballymitty soon bounced back, and Michael Harpur started it with a slalom run through the heart of their opponents’ defence before smacking a high shot to the net.
Devlin, Conor Cleary and Philip Roche all added points to move the Grantstown-based club 1-3 to 0-4 up.
Dunne added two frees as the half wore on but Bannow-Ballymitty looked to be in control of things when Devlin powered his way past several tackles to make it 2-3 to 0-6 at the interval.
He kept things ticking over early in the second-half but Dunne’s goal at the second attempt narrowed the gap.
Fionn O’Leary got Marshalstown-Castledockrell within one before Colin Ivers’ classy palmed finish put them ahead.
Kearney made it 2-8 to 2-6 at the end of the third quarter but Bannow-Ballymitty had a kick in their armoury.
Cummins and Devlin brought them level before the latter gave the New Ross District side the win with his 55th-minute major.
Bannow-Ballymitty: Corey Connick; Cormac McGee, Seán Fleming, Luke French; Mickey Davey, Michael Harpur (capt., 1-0), Dylan Murphy; Jack Anglim, Cathal Cummins (0-1); Evan Colfer, Joe Devlin (2-5, 0-2 frees), Philip Roche (0-1); Oisín O’Sullivan, Michael O’Dwyer, Conor Cleary (0-1). Subs. - Alex Power for O’Sullivan (31), Eoin Roche for Murphy (48), also Aaron Hogan, Ryan Moran, Dylan Nacey, David Harney.
Marshalstown-Castledockrell: Blaise Kearney; Odhrán Tyrrell, Dylan Bolger, Shane Roche; Naoise O’Leary, James Byrne, Fionn O’Leary (0-1); Jack Morris, Adam Somers (capt.); Michael Ivers (0-1), Noah Kearney (capt., 0-3), Seán Doyle; Colin Ivers (1-0), Tadhg Dunne (1-3, 0-2 frees), Dylan Browne. Subs. - Brian Lett for Roche, inj. (6), Roche for Lett (31), Conor Byrne for Browne (54).
Referee: Roly Buckley (Ballyhogue).