Strong Éire Óg side see off Shillelagh/Coolboy
U12 P/P’WAY FINAL
ÉIRE ÓG won the under-12 Player Pathway final after a tremendous match with a valiant Shillelagh/ Coolboy side last Thursday night.
Goals scored by Sam Cunningham, Ryan Ovenden and Cael McCloskey gave the scoreboard a gloss that was not reflected on the pitch with the side from the south of the county matching their east coast rivals in most areas but ultimately running out of steam as Éire Óg utilised their much bigger bench.
It was the Greystones men who got out of the blocks quicker with a well worker point by Caelann O’Callaghan Alb. However, from Shillelagh/Coolboys first attack Milo Quinn tied it up with a free. With Ovenden and Cunningham becoming more influential, Éire Óg struck for their first goal on six minutes.
Ryan Ovenden went on a mazy run through the defence and when he required a finish, he had the composure to place under the advancing keeper. He followed up with a point from distance as Éire Óg stretched their lead.
Shillelagh/Coolboy were battling hard with Ryan O’Keeffe and Lee Dagge having fine games in defence for them however they were struggling to get up the field with Corey O’Brien and Michael Lamson cutting out any danger for Éire Óg.
The second goal came for the seasiders on 15 minutes. Cunningham was put in on goal and like Ovenden before he placed his effort to the onion sack like a seasoned campaigner. Shillelagh/ Coolboy closed out the scoring with a super score from Dean Carthy after Dagge had done tremendous work in the buildup.
On the resumption Carthy struck another point to edge them a little closer however Éire Óg responded superbly to as good as finish the contest.
Firstly, Cunningham pointed from a tough angle, then Rian O’Gorman played the foot pass of the night to put Cael McCloskey in on goal and the danger man made no mistake.
Cunningham and Ovenden added more points for Éire Óg before Donal Rawson struck the point of the night for Shillelagh/ Coolboy from way out the field.
With Éire Óg making full use of their bench they ran the legs off their tiring opponents late on with Corey O’Brien and Rian O’Gorman closing the scoring.
A competitive game for the most part with Shillelagh/Coolboy battling hard against a better overall team. Best for them was Harry O’Keeffe, Lee Dagge and Dean Carthy.
For Éire Óg they were superb throughout the field with Corey O’Brien, Sam Cunningham and
Ryan Ovenden all catching the eye.
Scorers - Éire Óg: Sam Cunningham 1-2, Ryan Ovenden 1-2, Cael McCloskey 1-0, Corey O’Brien 0-1, Caelann O’Callaghan Alb 0-1, Rian O’Gorman 0-1.
Shillelagh/Coolboy: Dean Carthy 0-2, Donal Rawson 0-1, Milo Quinn 0-1.
ÉIRE ÓG: Paddy Marrinan; Nathan Van de Burgh, Corey O’Brien; Michael Lamson, Jack O’Neill, Tom Scully; Caelann O’Callaghan Alb, Adam Doherty; Ryan Ovenden, Sam Cunningham, Luke Murphy; Miguel Ramrez McMahon, Cillian Goff. Subs: Sean McLoughlin, Rian O’Gorman, Cael McCloskey, Sean Lehane, Darragh Keogh, Ryan O’Brien, Conor Hawkins, Donagh Mellett.
SHILLELAGH/COOLBOY: Cillian Farrell; Joe Carroll, Harry O’Keeffe; Ryan O’Keeffe, Donal Rawson, Daniel Gregan; Cathal Fitzsimmons, Lee Dagge; Fionn Defuite, Oscar Judge, Darren Foley; Milo Quinn, Dean Carthy.