St Kevin’s see off Pat’s and the torrential rain
THE under-15 football Division 2B Shield final, which was fixed for Ballinakill on Saturday last October 5th, was played from beginning to end in a downpour of rain.
Conditions were not easy for winners St. Kevin’s or St. Patrick’s and both sides should be complemented for the standard of football they played despite the desperate weather conditions.
St. Patrick’s appeared to be wearing an older set of jerseys with faded numbering which left identification of players rather difficult. They will need to be a little forgiving if names and scorers go a bit astray in this report.
St. Kevin’s settled into the game much more readily than the Wicklow town lads and had a goal and a point on the board from Sam Reid and Charlie Chamley in the opening two minutes. They were playing a nice brand of combined football and were making light of the weather conditions.
However, the strong and lively Billy Joe Connors responded with a goal and point (free) of his own to settle St. Patrick’s into the game.
The Hollywood/Valleymount combination continued to dominate and a Padraig Cullen point was followed by a goal from full-forward Shane Corrigan midway through the half.
The west lads were coping well with the weather and continued in their efforts to always use the ball well.
St. Pats were beginning to come more into game with Fionn Greene, Denis O’Brien, Mark Hodgkinson, Sam Culleton, Conor Luddy, Tom Hodgkinson and Billy Joe Connors battling hard to lift their team. Hodgkinson landed a great point from a 45.
However, Corrigan came back with a point and when Callum Fitzpatrick and Padraig Cullen added two quick goals just before the break it left St. Kevin’s ahead by 4-4 to 1-3 going into the second half.
The second half was played at a lower tempo as St. Pats came more into the play and Kevin’s seemed more intent on holding what they had rather than driving on. Sam Culleton, Matthew Harbourne, Mark Hodgkinson came strongly into the game as St. Pats tried hard to reduce the deficit.
Billy Joe continued to cause problems for the western defence but the Clarkes, Mikey Doyle and the half back line of Rory Corrigan, Tommy and Jack Mooney defended well and gradually Kevins tacked on insurance points from Shane Corrigan, Charlie Chambley and Padraig Cullen.
St. Pats had points from Mark Hodgkinson (2), now playing out around midfield, and two more from Billie Joe Connors and a final point from substitute Matt Gleeson. St. Kevin’s ran out deserving winners on a score of 4-7 to 1-8.
Owen Doyle presented the trophy to Sam Reid, while Charlie Chambley received the Man of the Match award.
Scorers - St. Kevins: Shane Corrigan 1-2, Padraig Cullen 1-2, Sam Reid 1-0, Callum Fitzpatrick 1-0, Charlie Chamley 0-3.
St. Patricks: Billy Joe Connors 1-3, Mark Hodgkinson 0-3, Matt Gleeson and Conor Luddy 0-1 each.
ST. KEVIN’S: Wayne McDonald; Tony Clarke, Mikey Doyle, Patrick Clarke; Rory Corrigan, Tommy Mooney, Jack Mooney; Ciaran Coyne, Sam Reid; Ciaran Clarke, Padraig Cullen, Charlie Chamley; James Durcan, Shane Corrigan, Callum Fitzpatrick. Subs: Luke Byrne, Charlie Mooney, Oisin Harkin and Jamie Carroll.
ST. PATRICK’S: Fionn Greene; Aaron Wynne, Denis O’Brien, Mark Hodgkinson; Tiernan O’Brien, Sam Culleton, Matthew Harbourne; Conor Luddy, Tom Hodgkinson; Tom Phelan, Alex Sinnott, Alexander Richardson; Steven Gormley, Billy Joe Connors, Rumo Best. Subs: Rory Hannon, Matt Gleeson and Chris Bouchier.
REFEREE: Nevan O’Sullivan (Annacurra)