The Deadly Dwyers
Boland shines as brave St Kevins comeback falls short
MICHAEL DWYERS ST KEVIN’S 5-7 4-7
MICHAEL DWYERS held off a superb fightback from St. Kevins to seal the Under-13 ‘B’ football shield final after a hard-fought win in a thrilling game on Sunday afternoon last.
A first-half blitz by the Dwyer’s boys, laid the platform for the win. Kevins rallied late on, but Dwyers stood strong to hold out in a tight finish.
Michael Dwyers hit the ground running with Andy Corrigan goaling with the first real chance after good work by James Boland. A brace of points by Adam Kinsella and Jack O’Toole increased the lead.
A Ciaran Clarke shot cannoned back out of the Dwyers upright from St Kevin’s first chance. However, Jack O’Toole scored another goal to close out the first quarter with the score reading 2-2 to no score in favour of the Dwyers.
Ciaran Clarke finally got Kevin’s off the mark with a long-range’ point.
The men in blue were superb with Adam Kinsella and James Boland doing trojan work keeping Kevins at arm’s length.
Adam Kinsella landed Dwyers third major of the game after Jimmy Mallin had pointed. Luke Byrne split the posts for Kevin’s as the half-time whistle sounded with the score reading 3-3 to 0-3 in favour of Dwyers.
Dwyers raised another pair of green flags in quick succession in the opening minutes of the second period as the tempo increased.
St Kevin’s steadied the ship with a Padraig Cullen point, but it was goals Kevins needed at this point.
In the next two attacks those goals came. Kevin’s landed a pair of majors themselves to close out the third quarter with the score now reading 5-5 to 2-5 as Kevin’s found a bit of momentum.
Shane Corrigan goaled after great work by Ciaran Clarke as the once massive lead started to diminish. Jack O’Toole pointed to stem the tide.
St Kevin’s were throwing the kitchen sink at Dwyer’s, but some bad wides and resolute defending by James Boland were keeping them at bay.
However, when Matthew Kelly landed Kevins fourth major going into the closing stages it was game on. Shane Corrigan pointed to leave it a three-point game going into injury time.
One late chance for Kevin’s just went wide for an equalising goal and it was Dwyers who took the title.
Pat Dunne complimented both teams on a smashing game before he presented Jack O’Toole with the Shield. Hugh Kenny presented the Wicklow People Man of the Match award to James Boland.
Scorers - Michea /Dwyers: Jack O’Toole 2-3 (2f), Adam Kinsella 1-2, Andy Corrigan 1-0, Sean Kelly 1-0, Callum McRae 0-1 (1f), Jimmy Mallin 0-1.
St Kevins: Padraig Cullen 2-3 (2f), Shane Corrigan 1-1, Matthew Kelly 1-0, Ciaran Clarke 0-2, Luke Byrne 0-1.
Mark Kinsella; Mathew Jackson, James Boland, Daniel Byrne, James Lancaster, Ivor Fenton, Scott Daly, Adam Kinsella, Callum McRae, Andy Corrigan, Jimmy Mallin, Jack O’Toole, Sean Kelly. Subs: Alan Ryan, Eoghan Hanley, Eoin Canna, Ross Harmon, Daniel Nolan, Sean Walsh, Aaron Jackson, Ben Boland.
Jack Mooney; Patrick Clarke, Patrick William Cullen Dunne, Rory Corrigan; Matthew Kelly, Luke Byrne, Lochlann Cawley; Charlie Roche Mooney, Garett McDermot; Ciarán Clarke, Dylan Duffy, Padraig Cullen; Shane Corrigan, Subs: Oisín Harkin, Karl Mooney, Ciaran Traynor, Donaca O’Toole, Gavin Duffy, Eoin Reid.
Michael Owens (Aughrim)