An Ghaeltacht down old enemy to claim Under 16 crown

AN Ghaeltacht are the West Kerry Under 16 champions after beating Dingle in Gallarus last Sunday, An Ghaeltacht 1-15 to Dingle 0-11. An Ghaeltacht were convincing winners and led from start to finish in sun drenched Gallarus.

Playing with the aid of what little breeze was in Gallarus it was An Ghaeltacht who started the game in whirlwind fashion. Steven Ó Conchúir with two points from frees and a point from play had An Ghaeltacht three points ahead after five minutes of play.

Dingle got on the scoreboard with a point from a free kick from Dylan Geaney. An Ghaeltacht’s Conn Ó Riagáin was causing a lot of problems for the Dingle defence and points from Franz Sauzerland, Rúairí Ó Beaglaoí and two from Steven Ó Conchúir put An Ghaeltacht six points ahead after 15 minutes of play, An Ghaeltacht 0-7 to Dingle 0-1.

A Thomas Devane point for Dingle kept them in the game but this was cancelled out by another Steven Ó Conchúir point for An Ghaeltacht. Dylan Geaney and Daividas Uosis for Dingle exchanged points with An Ghaeltacht’s Cathal Ó Beaglaoí and Steven Ó Conchúir and when Referee Johnny O’Shea blew the half-time whistle the scoreboard read, An Ghaeltacht 0-10 to Dingle 0-4.

On the restart it was An Ghaeltacht who got the vital first score through a Steven Ó Conchúir point from play. Thomas Devane kicked a point from play for Dingle before Rúairí Ó Beaglaoí made light of Dingle’s defence and scored the game’s only goal for An Ghaeltacht.

Two pointed frees from Dylan Geaney gave Dingle a lifeline but points from Rúairí Ó Beaglaoí and Cathal Ó Beaglaoí cancelled this out to leave the score after 15 minutes gone in the second half, An Ghaeltacht 1-13 to Dingle 0-7.

Dingle tried to rally and points from Eoin de hÓra, Thomas Devane, Dylan Geaney and Conor Flannery left them five points behind.

An Ghaeltacht responded with a Steven Ó Conchúir point from a free kick and a Rúairí Ó Beaglaoí point from play but with time running out and Dingle continuing to press forward it was An Ghaeltacht defence that stood firm and when Referee Johnny O’Shea blew the full-time whistle the scoreboard read, An Ghaeltacht 1-15 to Dingle 0-11.

Paudie Moriarty from Coiste na Óg Chiarraí Thiar presented Captain of An Ghaeltacht U-16 team, Steven Ó Conchúir with the West Kerry U-16 Championship Shield.