St Kevin’s hold off brave Gaels
Stunning start serves well
MFC ‘B’ SHIELD
A strong first-half showing from St Kevin’s proved to be enough to help them see off a fine recovery from a 13-man Clara Gaels side in the Minor ‘B’ Shield final in Hollywood last Thursday night.
In front of a decent crowd supporting both sides, it was St Kevin’s who looked to be far superior over the course of the opening half when they harvested a fine tally of 4-6 against Clara Gaels’ 2-2 to leave the Hollywood/ Valleymount combination very much in the driving seat.
However, they would only score a further two points and had Clara Gaels managed to avail of the glut of goal chances they created in the second half they could well have turned this tie on its head.
As perfect as a start as you’re ever likely to see was enjoyed by the St Kevin’s outfit with Conor Reid and the lively Jean Luc Morris both finding the back of Danny Morley’s goal within the opening three minutes.
With the breeze at his back Conor Reid dropped over a bomb of a point in this 13-a-side contest on a brisk but dry October evening.
Clara Gaels were working hard all over the field, but they were finding the showings from Cathal O’Toole, Luka Harney, Aaron Balfe and Brian Keogh very difficult to handle in the early stages and it looked like curtains before the end of the first quarter when Robbie Miley found the net twice in rapid succession to leave the St Kevin’s side leading by 4-1 to 0-0.
Gradually, however, Clara Gaels started to find their feet and the early dominance of St Kevin’s began to fade as players started to struggle to get back from attacks, leaving gaps at the rear.
Cian Ward got Clara Gaels off the mark after a lovely move up the field, but Jean Luc Morris struck back with a beauty off his left before Robbie Miley continued his super first half with a fine score after Conor Reid’s free came back off the upright.
Cian Ward would give Clara Gaels a massive boost soon after with a poacher’s goal although there were strong suspicions that he may have been in the small rectangle when the ball was played into him. and Alex Olohan would add a point to leave St Kevin’s leading by 4-3 to 1-2 with about eight still to go in the first half.
A pointed free from Robbie Miley, a fine effort off his left from the busy Christy Mooney and a sweet free from Jean Luc Morris pushed St Kevin’s out to 4-6 to 1-2 ahead but a peach of a goal from Shane Brown brought Clara Gaels right back into the game at the stroke of half-time.
The Gaels started very brightly in the second half and had a fine point scored by Shane Brown, but, unfortunately, followed that up with three wides on the trot while goalkeeper Danny Morley saved well from Conor Reid.
A pointed free from Tom O’Shea for Clara Gaels left eight between the sides with 14 left but there was a real sense of vulnerability to the St Kevin’s defence if the right ball could be delivered in.
A delicious score off his right boot from Charlie Chamney after great work from Brian Keogh gave the St Kevin’s defence a reprieve but Cian Ward replied with a well-taken free before John Porter stroked over from play.
Substitute Keith Burke landed the last score for St Kevin’s, but the game was reaching the stage where Clara Gaels needed goals and quick. They had a few chances but could only grab one, that from Shane Brown right at the death to leave the final score 4-8 to 3-6 in favour of St Kevin’s who great start to this game served them well in the end.
Scorers – St Kevin’s: Robbie Miley 2-2 (1f), Jean Luc Morris 1-2 (1f), Conor Reid 1-1, Christy Mooney 0-1, Daniel Van Alpen 0-1, Keith Burke 0-1.
Clara Gaels: Shane Brown 2-1, Cian Ward 1-2, Alex Olohan 0-1, Tom O’Shea 0-1 (f), John Porter 0-1.
ST KEVIN’S: Ryan Willoughby, Christy Mooney, Cathal O’Toole, Jean Luc Morris, Luka Harney, Aaron Balfe, Conor Reid, Ben Clarke, Ben Burke, Brian Keogh, Kieron Crowley, Robbie Miley, Brendan Harkin, Sam Reid, Ciaran Coyne, Charlie Chamney, Shane O’Reilly, Tommy Mooney, Daniel Van Alpen, Joshua Balfe, Keith Burke.
CLARA GAELS: Danny Morley, Kevin Leonard, Joe O’Shea, Conan Cranley, Luke Kenny, Tom O’Shea, Cian Ward, Cormac McGraynor, Andrew Brancato, Alex Olohan, Cathal Baker, Shane Brown, Paddy Dunne.