AGB get the better of St Pat’s in fantastic replay
AGB won the Under-13 ‘C’ Shield final after a cracking replay with St. Patricks in Ballinakill last Tuesday evening. The first night saw nothing separate these sides, however, on this occasion, AGB got their match ups right to edge over the line.
St. Pats started brightly with Daniel Kavanagh putting Billy Joe Connors, who scored four goals during the first game, in on goal but his rasping shot was bravely blocked away from point-blank range by keeper Luke McGrath.
Connors then showed superb skill to flick up and point in one fluid motion. However, Arklow from their first attack were to take a lead that they were never to relinquish. The excellent Dylan Lennon put a ball over the top nippy corner-forward Sean O’Neill was brave to poke the ball past the oncoming keeper and Oliver Pursey was on hand to gleefully finish to the net.
Arklow’s next goal was from a rehearsed move. Lennon took a short free to Ryan Scanlon before taking the return and drilling a shot to the Pats goal from 20 yards.
This signaled the best period for the Wicklow town men as they responded well. Fionn Greene pointed for them and then turned provider to assist a Daniel Kavanagh point. Greene was excellent in these few minutes and he plundered a superb goal as he pounced on confusion in the Arklow defence to rifle low and hard past McGrath.
AGB stormed right back with Lennon and Scanlon combining from a short free again. This time Scanlon finding the pinpoint finish to the Wicklow net.
Kavanagh replied for Pats with an excellent right footed point from out on the left wing, however, Scanlon closed the first half scoring with two beautifully clipped breakaway points to leave Arklow four to the good at the break.
AGB kept on top at the start of the second half with Lennon and Scanlon breaking forward from midfield at every opportunity and their captain Jack Mullen doing an excellent job in keeping Connors quiet they got the first two scores. Eabhan Kinch got on the end of a flowing move then Fenn Wolohan showed great tenacity and determination to conjure a point out of nothing.
With Connors and Kavanagh tied up Pats were finding scores hard to come by. Sam Christie did find one, but they could not get any closer. Further scores from Kinch, Scanlon and Wolohan saw them home.
Pats tried hard however with their key men well marshalled they struggled for scores. Denis O’Brien and Fionn Greene gave their all in a losing cause.
Arklow were excellent all over the pitch and their management deserve great credit in putting Mullen and Scanlon on Pats danger men.
Mullen was a leader from centre back, keeper Luke McGrath made numerous classy saves and his distribution under pressure out the wings was impressive, Dylan Lennon was a ball of energy and was everywhere danger lurked.
However, man of the match was Ryan Scanlon. He was put on one of Wicklow’s best players and snuffed out his threat while he also rampaged forward at every opportunity to score 1-3 and set up a further 1-2. An all-round excellent display.
Scorers - AGB: Ryan Scanlon 1-3, Dylan Lennon 1-0, Oliver Pursey 1-0, Eabhan 0-2, Fenn Wolohan 0-2.
St. Pats: Fionn Greene 1-1, Billy Joe Connors 0-2, Daniel Kavanagh 0-2, Sam Christie 0-1.
AGB: Luke McGrath; Dylan Lynch, Dara Tansey; Jack Mullen, Josh Robinson, Ryan Scanlon; Mikey Kinsella, Dylan Lennon; Cian McDonough, Eabhan Kinch, Oliver Purser; Sean O’Neill, Fenn Wolohan. Subs: Patrick McGraynor, Jack Molloy, Sean Joyce, Eoin Scanlon.
St. Pats: Matt Gleeson; Denis O’Brien, Ciaran Matthews; Ben Bowen, Eamon Goddard, Oscar Durston; Ryan McConnell, Tom Phelan; Charlie Swazalina, Colm Finnegan, Daniel Kavanagh; Billy Joe Connors, Fionn Greene. Subs: Ollie Kennedy, Rumo Best, Sam Christie, Luke Dunne
Referee: Con Keddy (Kilcoole)