The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Champions crowned in Schools’ Mini Sevens
THE Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Mini Seven finals were played in Tralee on Thursday last.
The teams registered from 10.30am and the action got underway at eleven as the sun broke through and shone brightly on the hundred and seventy boys and girls who had assembled from all over the county in search of the coveted county mini Sevens title.
The brighter the sun shone the better the performances we witnessed form individuals and teams and this culminated with two outstanding finals in Austin Stacks Park. Scairteach A ‘Ghleanna scoring the all important goals against a fancied Duagh outfit to snatch victory while Knockanes, a small three teacher school in the parish of Glenfesk, saw a last minute goal bound shot skim the cross bar much to the relief of the Scoil Eoin Balloonagh boys who hung on to claim a first mini Sevens title for the school.
Seventeen teams participated in this year’s county final. All had come through the district competitions as champions in the nine Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Districts.
Five girls teams Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn, Faha NS, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, Cahersiveen NS and the Maolcheadair / Naomh Eirc / Scoil an Ghleanna combination played their hearts out for the semi final spots in the John Mitchels Complex and thankfully we had access to the main pitch for the games despite the deluges that had fallen over the previous few days.
Míle buíochas to Humphrey and his staff. Following the round robin series of games Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn topped the group followed by Faha in second place.
Four boys teams Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn, Knockanes NS, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, Lios Póil/Dún Chaoin faced off for the semi final spots. Gaelscoil Aogáin the Castleisland District champions were unable to participate due to a bereavement. Knockanes topped the group and Scoil Eoin Balloonagh claimed the second spot.
Eight teams faced off in Austin Stacks Park under the watchful eyes of co-ordinators Micheál Herlihy, Mary Jo Curran and John Cliffford - Scoil Dar Earca Valentia, Tarbert NS, Glounaguillagh NS and Scoil Réalt na Mara Tousist in the boys, and following some excellent games in the round robin part of the competition Dara Eirc topped the group with the Tarbert boys taking the second spot.
St Brigid’s Duagh NS, Glenbeigh NS, Kilgarvan NS and Scairteach A’ Ghleanna competed in a very competitive girls competition and following the round robin series of games Duagh topped the group with Scairteach A’ Ghleanna taking the second semi-final spot.
The boys’ semi-finals got underway shortly after two o’clock in perfect underfoot conditions in the resurfaced county ground. These were played side by side and those watching were treated to some excellent passages of football.
Scoil Eoin Balloonagh got off to an excellent start against Dara Eirc and held a comfortable half time lead. However, the South Kerry champions fought back bravely but were denied the scoring opportunities by goal keeper Seán Heaslip defender Seán Barrett and the hard working Ben Murphy and Daniel Kirby.
Balloonagh were in inspiring form though and qualified for their first mini seven final denying the islanders last appearing at stage of the competition seventeen ago when a certain Brendan O Sullivan stared for them.
The second semi-final was a pulsating affair between Knockanes and Tarbert. Knockanes led 1-2 to 0-4 at the break and the sides were tied 1-5 a piece at full-time. In extra time Jamie Moynihan and Darragh O Connell put Knockanes ahead as they led by two at the break.
Callum Cronin slotted another point at the start of the second half to add to his 1-2 in normal time, but the North Kerry boys came storming back with points from Jamie Molloney and Conor Egan to leave the minimum between them as the final whistle sounded.
In the first of the girls’ semi-finals Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn got off to a brilliant start against Scairtleach A’ Ghleanna and lead by 2-0 to 0-3 at the break. However, the Castleisland District champions regrouped and following an enthralling second half they emerged victorious on a final scoreline of 3-6 to 2-3 to clinch a first Mini Sevens final spot for the school.
Muireann Walsh, Muireann Rahilly and Orlaith Buckley were in inspiring form for Scartaglen while Hannah May Ni Lúsaigh, Doireann de mhórda and Abbie Nic Conmara were to the fore for Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn.
In the second semi final North Kerry champions played some excellent football in accounting for Faha NS 5-2 to 2-2. Faha were best served by Clarissa O’Shea, Aideen O Brien in defence midfielder Lilly Kate Clifford and nippy forward Fiana Bradley.
In the boys final the more powerful Scoil Eoin side got off to a flying start with two goals from Tomás Kennedy. Knockanes responded with a point a piece from Callum Cronin and Darragh O’Connell.
Seán Barrett slotted a goal and Paddy Lane notched 1-1 for the Tralee District champions to extend Scoil Eoin’s lead as they dominated in most sectors. Most teams would wilt under this constant pressure but all present saw that these Knockanes boys encouraged on by the great Seamus Moynihan are made of stern stuff as they stormed right back into contention with two rocket like shots from the outstanding Jamie Moynihan and another from the hard working Darragh O’Connell.
Tomás Kennedy landed his third goal to see his Scoil Eoin team lead 5-1 to 3-2 at the break. On resumption Paddy lane landed another 1-1, but Callum Cronin clawed back a goal for Knockanes with a classy finish. Daniel Kirby scored 1-1 and Paddy Lane slotted another point to leave Scoil Eoin 7-4 to 4-2 in front.
All over? Not when you’re up against Knockanes. Callum Cronin was put through for goal and Darragh O’Connell added a point and that man Jamie Moynihan struck for goals six and seven to close the gap to the minimum.
Paddy Lane sent over a Scoil
Eoin point from near the sideline and goal keeper Seán Heaslip made a point blank save from Callum Cronin in an action packed final.
Knockanes drove forward again in search of the match winning goal and their excellent approach work almost paid dividends as they sent Callum Cronin through but Callum was hauled to the ground as he was about to shoot and with the ensuing free the pile driver from Jamie Moynihan skimmed the cross bar as he tried to clinch victory with all seven Scoil Eoin players on the goal line. A dramatic finish to an excellent Allianz Cumann an mBunscol Mini Sevens final.
SCOIL EOIN BALLOONAGH: Seán Heaslip, Seán Barrett, Daniel Kirby, Ben Murphy, Tomás Kennedy, Jake O Connor, Paddy Lane, Niall Mc Namara, Adam Evans, Fionán Ryan
KNOCKANES: Liam O Donoghue, Jamie Moynihan, Caden O Donoghue, Darragh O Connell, Gearóid Healy, Callum Cronin, Tadhg Herlihy, Darren O Sullivan, Brian O Connor Dennehy, James O Connor
THE girls’ final was also an exciting affair between St. Brigid’s Duagh and Scairteach A’ Ghleanna. Grace Morris landed the opening two points of the game as the Duagh girls settled well and won the lions share of possession and when Lucy Horgan added the third point all seemed well for the North Kerry champions.
However, on the stroke of half time the Castleisland champions combined and sent Muireann Rahilly through on goal and she finished with aplomb to leave the sides on level terms at the break 0-3 to 1-0.
Lucy Horgan landed two early points for the Duagh girls but these were nullified with fine efforts from Muireann Rahilly. Again the Duagh girls dominated with Grace Morris, Lucy Horgan and Haley Flynn in fine form. Lucy Horgan, Hayley Flynn, Angharad Cudlippall landed well taken points and the impressive Grace Morris burst through for a goal and it seemed that the trophy would go north.
However, one can never predict results in these Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Mini Sevens games and the Scairteach A’ Ghleanna girls fought back with two well executed goals from the two Muireanns Walsh and Rahilly to clinch a first ever Mini Sevens title for their school. The final score was Scairteach A Ghleanna 3-2 St. Brigid’s Duagh 1-7.
SCAIRTEACH A’ GHLEANNA: Charlie O’Keeffe, Máire Collins, Ciara Casey, Muireann Walsh, Tara Keirn, Muireann Rahilly, Mollie Mahony, Orliath Buckley, Jessica Riordan, Mikaela Buckley
ST. BRIGID’S DUAGH: Roisin Maher, Tara Galvin, Sarah Flynn, Lucy Horgan, Hayley Flynn, Angharad Cudlipp, Grace Morris, Amie Sheehy, Aoibhin Harte, Lily Daly
Huge thanks to referees Amy Foley, Clíona Coffey, Gordan Keirns, Maurice Murphy and Michael Slattery as seventeen games were played on the day, all in a sporting manner.
Congratulations to all involved. Over the past few weeks in excess of 170 Mini Sevens games have been played throughout the county in boys and girls football in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol organised competition.