Michael Óg shines bright
O’Neill stars for Glenealy
at Ballinakill GLENEALY LUKE O’TOOLE’S 8-3 4-2
GLENEALY took the spoils in the thrilling goal fest that was the Under-13 ‘A’ county hurling final on Monday afternoon against Luke O’Toole’s in Ballinakill.
As the saying goes ‘goals win games’, and this was the difference between these two fine teams in the wind up. We were served up some fine individual performances along with excellent scoring and sensational saves by both goalkeeper’s in a glorious game of hurling in a sunny Ballinakill.
Glenealy began in fine fashion when Michael Óg O’Neill clipped over a pointed free in the opening minute. Each side traded a couple of wides before Lorcan Byrne rifled a brilliant shot to the roof of the O’Toole’s net in the fifth minute.
Conaill O’Brien brought off two powerful saves from the next two Glenealy attacks. Alex Kavanagh fired over a long-range free to get O’Toole’s up and running in the 10th minute.
Both goalkeepers were called into action over the next period as the intensity rose, buoyed on by a vocal set of supporters for each side.
Alex Kavanagh landed another pointed free, before Glenealy had a goal by Lorcan Byrne controversially struck out for a square ball infringement.
Michael Óg pointed a monster of a free before another brace of fine saves by Conaill O’Brien was keeping Luke O Toole’s in the match.
Michael Óg landed his first major of the game for Glenealy after good work by Ben Stafford. From the puck-out, Dermot Toomey won possession, burst through and unleashed an unmerciful shot, and somehow Alex O’Dowd acrobatically got down to put the sliotar out for a 65; a contender for save of the year.
Jake Nally was cutting out plenty of good ball into the O’Toole’s offence, while supplying his half forwards on the counter attack. Glenealy struck for another goal from Jonah Fanning after great build up play by Sam Smyth.
O’Toole’s grabbed themselves a lifeline before the half-time whistle sounded with a well-taken goal by Alex Kavanagh. The half-time score was 3-2 to 1-2 in this tight encounter.
Glenealy started where they had left off, applying plenty of pressure, but they could not bypass Conaill O’Brien who single-handedly was keeping his team in the hunt.
Michael Óg O’Neill curled over a point before Alex Kavanagh plundered a crucial goal to eat into the Reds’ lead. Glenealy rallied, but again O’Brien stood strong in the O’Toole’s goal.
Jake Nally finally landed Glenealy’s fourth major to close out the third quarter. A further brace of goals by Michael Óg put a huge chink in the O’Toole’s armory.
A Sam Smyth major seemed to have killed of the game going into the final five minutes as Glenealy threatened to run away with the game.
O’Toole’s fought back into the game with a goal from Alex Kavanagh. Corey O’Toole had another goal bound shot cleared off the line by Alex O’Dowd. Alex Kavanagh smashed home another goal for O’Toole’s, however, Michael Óg O’Neill had the final say with his fourth major as the full-time whistle sounded.
Pat Dunne complimented both teams on a fine game before presenting the cup to Michael Óg O’Neill.
The Wicklow People Man of the Match award had a number of contenders up for selection. Glenealy goalie Alex O’Dowd and Jake Nally while goalie Conaill O’Brien had an exceptional game along with Alex Kavanagh.
However, ace marksman Michael Óg O’Neill who amassed 4-3 was presented with the trophy by Pat Dunne to spark of wild celebrations for the Glenealy faithful.
- Glenealy: Michael Óg O’Neill 4-3, Lorcan Byrne 1-0, Jonah Fanning 1-0, Jake Nally 1-0, Sam Smith 1-0.
Luke O’Toole’s: Alex Kavanagh 4-2.
Scorers
Alex O’Dowd; Ben Stafford, Callum Clarke, Daragh Lacey, Jake Nally, Jonah Fanning, Micheal Og O Neill, Andrew Lynch, Lorcan Byrne, Sam Smyth, Sean Gillespie, Vinnie Caffrey. Sean Clarke. Subs: James Byrne, Kenzie O’Connor.
Conaill O’Brien; Barry Kealy, Mark Shannon, Darragh Rice, Dessie Fitzgerald, Ciaran Lambert, Callum Keeneghan, Alex Kavanagh, Dermot Toomey, Ned Williams, Stephen O Toole, Lorcan Toomey, Corey O’Toole, Marc O’Shea. Subs: Aleksey O’Shea, Bryan Tallon, Adam Lifely, Charlie O’Connor.
Robert Roche (Carnew)
Glenealy: Luke O’Toole’s: Referee: