St Senans claim U-14 title after extra-time win over Tarbert

MCELLIGOTT OILS ASDEE U-14 DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL St. Senans 3-11 Tarbert 1-13 (after extra-time)

ST Senans needed extra-time to decide this U-14 Division 2 North Kerry Championship Final in their favour in Coolard recently.

Tarbert went two points up inside the opening five minutes but this sparked St. Senans to life as they registered 1-3 without reply by the 15th minute with the goal scored by Sean McElligott. Wing forward Paudie Finnucane netted for Tarbert to reduce the margin to the minimum only for this to be cancelled out by Shane O’Sullivan goaling for St. Senans who finished the half stronger leaving the score at the small whistle St Senans 2-6 Tarbert 1-3.

The second half saw Tarbert, with the aid of the breeze, make several positional changes and they proceeded to dominate matters all over the field. Shane Stack was outstanding in defence while out the field Conor Egan, David Mulvihill, Paudie Finnucane, Michael Coolahan and Caolam Moriarty caught the eye.Tarbert added six points in the half while, remarkably, keeping St. Senans scoreless.When referee, Mike Joy blew the final whistle the teams were tied at St. Senans 2-6 Tarbert 1-9 and we headed for extra-time.

Tarbert continued where they left off and went three points up by the eighth minute and were looking good but St. Senans were not finished-in the remaining two minutes Ruairi O’Connell and Sean McElligott pointed before the man who was a constant threat all day for St. Senans, Shane O’Sullivan goaled to leave the score at the end of the first period of extra-time St. Senans 3-8 Tarbert 1-12. Shane O’Sullivan added two further points, along with one from Ruairi O’Connell in the second period while Conor Egan’s point from play was Tarbert’s sole reply. The score when Mike Joy blew for the ball was St. Senans 3-11 Tarbert 1-13.

The game was played on a 13-a-side basis as Tarbert were hit by some injuries. They were very disappointed having lost the league final earlier in the year but like our Kerry seniors, can be very proud of their display.The 7 wides they kicked in the second period of normal time were ultimately what cost them victory but they played some lovely football. St. Senans’s bigger panel was a big help to them, they made full use of it and never gave in even when the pressure was huge and in Shane O’Sullivan they had a player who was a constant threat.

Tom Moran, Chairman of the NKB Coiste-na-nOg, presented the trophy to a delighted St. Senans captain, Ewan O’Sullivan to the cheers of his teammates and supporters. Tom thanked sponsor McElligott Oils Asdee, Ballydonoghue for the use of their facilities, referee Mike Joy for doing a fine job and most of all both teams for providing us with a fantastic game of championship football, played in a very sporting manner.

ST. SENANS: Donal Lyons, Paul Somer, Tony Dowling, Jack Ryan, Ciaran Counihan, Conor Breen, Sean McElligott (1-2), Eoin McElligott, Ewan O’Sullivan (0-1), Donal O’Connell (0-1), Ruairi O’Connell (0-2), Shane O’Sullivan (2-4), Brian Enright (0-1), Luke O’Regan, Daniel Kirwan, Harry O’Sullivan, Cian O’Connell, Ruairi Linnane, Tiernan Dennehy.

TARBERT: Aaron White, Shane Stack, Michael Flaherty, Adam Enright (0-1), Thomas Kiely, Brendan O’Leary (0-1), Conor Egan (0-2), David Mulvihill, Paudie Finnucane (1-1), Lee Mulvihill (0-2), Dara Heaphy (0-1), Michael Coolahan, John Coolahan, Caolam Moriarty (0-5), Gavin O’Connor, Evan Collins.

REFEREE: Mike Joy (Ballydonoghue)