Stabannon in seventh heaven
THE boys of Kilcurry, Knockbridge, Mell and Stabannon went into battle in a bid to become the best seven-a-side team in the county at the Allianz All-County Blitz Finals in Castlebellingham.
These were the first finals in this calendar year and the format, with its age-limit ruling, is designed to provide a level playing field so that all schools can compete fairly with each other. And so it proved that the four teams that came through two previous rounds to reach the final represented not only all geographic areas of the county, but all sizes of schools.
In the first round of games Stabannon took on Mell. This was a tense affair as neither team put much daylight between themselves and their opponents at any stage. In the end a vital goal from the Drogheda team made sure that the shares were spoiled - 1-3 to 0-6.
At the same time scores were aplenty in the game between Kilcurry and Knockbridge. The Knockbridge boys’ keen eye for goal was the difference as they struck early in the second half to consign their neighbours to an opening defeat on a scoreline of 3-4 to 1-7.
The second round of games saw another slew of goals in the Kilcurry game as both teams (Mell and Kilcurry) scored two apiece, but unlike the first game Kilcurry were able to find enough to nick victory at the death by a single point.
In the other game Stabannon raced into a clear half-time lead over Knockbridge – four points to no score - but a stern team talk kicked the St Mary’s boys into action as they scored three points unanswered.
However, they Stabannon goalkeeper was in imperious form, saving at point-blank range on numerous occasions to preserve their slender lead and that gave his teammates the confidence to regain their grip on the game and finish 0-6 to 0-3 winners.
In one of the most competitive All-County Blitzes we have seen in recent years, three of the four teams had strong chances of winning the competition going into the final game, and in the end two kicks of the ball were key to the outcome of the blitz.
Kilcurry led by one point at half-time against Stabannon, while Knockbridge lead Mell by two. Had the results stayed that way, Knockbridge would have taken the crown.
In the second half of both games, two goals looked to have solidified Knockbridge’s claims for victory as Kilcurry, who had gone behind in the early stages of the second half, went one point up, while Knockbridge hit the back of the net to lead by two.
When Stabannon were awarded a free kick 10 yards out, Mell hit the back of the net in the other game to lead Knockbridge by one point. At that point Kilcurry were the ones whose name would be inscribed on the shield, but the Stabannon midfielder kept a calm head as he coolly struck the ball over the bar off the ground to level his match. Moments later both final whistles were blown and jubilant cheers were heard from the boys from Stabannon.