Ardfert NS capture Division 3 Urban football title
Tomás Ó hÁinifein
THE Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Urban finals were played under lights in Austin Stack Park on Thursday last. Four finals were down for decision and all were extremely competitive for long periods of the games. The ever strengthening breeze did make life difficult for the teams as the played towards the town end but otherwise conditions were perfect and all teams gave it their all right up to the final whistle. Those present were treated to some tremendous passages of football, excellent fielding, good foot and hand passing, some brilliant team work and some outstanding scores and excellent defending and blocking.
DIVISION 3 FINAL
IN the opening game of the afternoon Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn and Ardfert produced yet another thriller with the Ardfert boys turning the tables on recent final meetings to clinch the title in a tremendously exciting game which lay on the balance right down to the final whistle. Inspired by Odhran Ferris at mid field Ardfert raced into an early lead Odhran driving through for the opening goal of the game and his midfield partner Adam MacDonagh adding a point. This lead was short lived however as Conor Ó Luasaigh and Marc O’Loinsigh slotted goals for the Gaelscoil. LIAM Cuipéir extended their lead with a well taken point but the Ardfert boys sprung into action and Áinle Foley was at the end of a good move to slot to the net. Adam Mac Donagh’s goal bound shot skimmed the cross bar and Odhran Ferris landed a brace to leave Ardfert 2-4 to 2-1 ahead at the break.
Ardfert dominated in most areas in the opening minutes of the second half and extended their lead to six thanks to the accuracy of Odhran Ferris and some staunch defending by outstanding full back Keelan Best. Keelan repelled attack after attack from the Mhic Easmainn boys.
Gaelscoil did break through for a wonderful individual goal from the powerful full back Luacás Mac Gearailt. Liam Cuipéir landed a point to cut the deficite to two but again the Ardfert boys combined well and created the opening for top scorer Odhran to seal the victory with a magnificent goal.
Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn battled to the end but Ardfert kept them at bay and claimed the title on a final scoreline of 3-7 to 3-2. ARDFERT: Seán O’Connor, Gary O’Riordan, Keelan Best, Jack Moriarty, Tiernan O’Sullivan, Tom O’Flaherty, Ethan Fitzgerald, Adam McDonagh, Odhran Ferris, Eoin O’Flahery, Alex McGrath, Amy O’Loughlin,
Ainle Foley, Liam Óg O’Connor, Fionn McDonagh. Subs: Kristen Lyne, Donncha Foley, Shane O’Connor, Sarah Bodenham, Casey Ryle, Gemma Lawlor, Jamie O’Shea, Jamie O’Sullivan, Liam Meade, Eoin Lawlor, Rodrigo Pinho, Tom Stack.
GAELSCOIL MHIC EASMAINN: Iarla Ó hAiniféin, Peadar Ó Dúghaill, Lúcás Mac Gearailt, Ruadhán Ó Clúmháin, Shane Ó Ceallaigh, Jeaic Ó Cáinte, Harry de Bhailís, Lúcás Ó Cathasaigh, Ruairí Ó hAiniféin, Gavin Ó Cathasaigh, Justin Ó Súilleabháin, Conchúir Ó Luasaigh, Brian Ó Domhnaill, Liam Cúipéir, Marc Ó Loingsigh, Donnacha Buitiméir, Seán Ó Grifín, Doireann de Mordha, Aisling Ní Cathasaigh, Ella Ní Chonchúir, Éamonn de Barra, Abi Nic Conmara, Ben Ó Gearáin, Feidhlim Sionóid, Ruairí Ó Loingsigh, Cillian Ó Grifín, Killian Ó Domhnaill, Pascal Ó Buachalla