Conor shines in super win
Shillelagh/Coolboy impress
SHILLELAGH/COOLBOY and Baltinglass played out a very enjoyable under-13 ‘B’ Plate football final in Knockananna on Saturday afternoon last, October 12.
As the scoreline would suggest, the Coollattin based side were comfortable winners in the end but this was a well contested game nonetheless as two well coached teams played a high standard of football all through.
The ability of the Shilelagh/ Coolboy lads to score goals was the major deciding factor eventually as the game progressed but this game was about more than goals.
Both sides had a big spread of good, skilful players who were very comfortable on the ball and who were always trying to use the ball to best advantage. Shillelagh/ Coolboy got off to the better start and had 1-4 on the board before Baltinglass registered a score. Killian O’Keeffe, Conor Byrne, Eddie Cullen, Conor Doran had hit the ground running from the throw in and it took the West lads a little while to come to the pace of the game.
However, once Matt Fisher got their opening goal after a quarter of an hour, it seemed to settle his side and they competed well for the remainder of the half. Diarmuid Woulfe and Kareen Matamni came very much into the game around midfield and with Matt Fisher and JP Kearney getting two more goals it left the game evenly contested coming up the half-way stage.
However, the traditional Shillelagh ability to get goals left the Coollattin lads in the driving seat again as Conor Byrne netted two left footed majors just before the break, completing his hat trick in the process. The half-time score stood at 5-4 to 3-2 in favour of Shillelagh/Coolboy.
Three goals from Killian O’Keeffe, Eddie Cullen and Conor Byrne in the opening seven minutes of the second half left the Coollattin side very comfortable. However, Baltinglass continued to play and added two goals from Kareem Matamni and Sean Hancock.
However, they could not match the ability of the Shillelagh/Coolboy combination to keep picking off the points.
In addition, the Coollattin lads were also very tight at the back where full back Lee Dagge had a superb second half. Eddie Cullen finished a fine game for him by netting the final goal of the game just before the call of time.
After the game Hugh Kenny presented the cup to the winning captain Cillian O’Keeffe. He complimented both teams on their excellent display of football.
The Wicklow People sponsored Man of the Match award was presented to Conor Byrne by Liam O’Loughlin on behalf of Wicklow People.
Scorers - Shillelagh/Coolboy: Conor Byrne 4-3, Eddie Cullen 2-4, Killian O’Keeffe 1-1, Conor Doran 0-3, Karl Byrne 1-0, Mylo Quinn 0-1.
Baltinglass: Matthew Fisher 2-0, JP Kearney 1-0, Kareen Matamni 1-0, Sean Hancock 1-0, Diarmuid Woulfe 0-2.
SHILLELAGH/COOLBOY: Cillian Farrell; Ryan O’Keeffe, Lee Dagge, Darren Fogarty, Freddie Swords, Ryan Walker, Cillian O’Keeffe, Mylo Quinn, Karol Byrne, Donal Rawson, Conor Byrne, Eddie Cullen, Conor Doran. Subs: Samuel Driver, Daniel Gregan, Dean Carthy, Cathal Fitzsimons, Jasper Kelly, Joe Carroll, Lottie O’Keeffe, Moss Rawson and Fionn de Fuite.
BALTINGLASS: Jasser Murphy: Oisin Reardon, Callum Connell, Conor Stephenson, Cody Fagan, Ross Nolan, Conor Doody, Kareen Matamni, Matthew Fisher, JP Kearney, Colm Nolan, Diarmuid Woulfe, Conor Flanagan. Subs: Sean Hancock, Naoise O’Neill, Fionn Moran, Michael Conlon, Dylan Byrne, Damien Corrigan and Conor Kearney.