Pure joy for electric
ÉIRE ÓG BALTINGLASS 5-9 2-14
WITH ten minutes gone in the Under-17 ‘A’ football final, played at Pearse’s Park, Arklow, on Saturday last, few people would have predicted the final outcome.
Baltinglass had gone off to a flying start and had three points on the board by four minutes. Centre-forward John Keogh had two points (one from a free) and corner-forward Jack Fleming had the other. Sean Doody and Jason Steed were controlling midfield with the western side’s support play looking to be way ahead of Éire Óg.
In contrast, the seasiders looked shell-shocked early on. When Jason Kenny goaled to leave the Slaneysiders 1-3 to 0-0 ahead on eight minutes, many were fearful that the Greystones men were in trouble.
Centre-forward Shaun Cranley had their opening score after ten minutes and this seemed to settle them somewhat. Half-backs Cillian Keane, Fionn O’Connell and Cian Hynes began to push forward and cause problems for the Baltinglass defence. Still it was Baltinglass who scored next with a Jason Steed point in the 17th minute.
Éire Óg hit a purple patch over the next ten minutes.
Conor Fulham, who began the game as a last-minute replacement for Sean Mason at full-forward but played all the game at midfield, began to influence the play in a big way and Shaun Cranley and Eoin Dorgan began to come into the game.
It was Dorgan who really woke up the Greystones men when he jinked his way inside the Slaneysiders’ full-back line and scored his first goal. Conor Fulham then brought the ball the length of the field on a solo run and set up Eoghan O Lonaigh for another point to leave the score at 1-5 to 1-2 after 20minutes.
Éire Óg were now playing well and the nervousness and mistakes of the opening period were gone. They were moving the ball from end to end and playing with confidence. Three more points – two from Shaun Cranley frees and one from corner-forward Joe Prendergast – had the sides level at 1-5 apiece with two minutes left in the first half.
Few would have predicted this score line after ten minutes play. Baltinglass, who had been on the backfoot for a while, recovered and finished the half with two more points. The first was a beauty off the outside of his right foot from John Keogh. This was followed by another from his brother Tom, who attempted to chip the ball over the head of the advancing Sean O’Neill in the Greystones goal, but the ball carried over the bar. The half-time score was 1-7 to 1-5 in favour of Baltinglass.
The second half developed into an exciting end to end battle between two excellent footballing teams battling for supremacy. Perhaps it was tough going for the partisan supporters of both teams, but it was great to watch for those of us who could be considered neutral.
Baltinglass began the half with Sean Doody at full-forward but it was Éire Óg who got the first score when Conor Fulham got forward to finish off a goal, putting his team into the lead for the first time.
Straight from the kick out, a high ball was launched in on Sean Doody, who controlled the ball and shot the equaliser.
Éire Óg wing back Cillian Keane scored the next two points, the second following an end to end move which he started himself. At the quarter hour stage, the Greystones men led by 2-7 to 1-8.
By now, Doody was back out at midfield for Baltinglass. John Keogh kicked two points and his brother Tom added another to put the Slaneysiders back ahead after 20 minutes.
The excitement was building for a grandstand finish. That man Conor Fulham got forward again and netted his second goal with eight minutes of time left. Shaun Cranley added a point from a free to put a goal between the sides.
Baltinglass came back and points from Jack Fleming and Sean Doody brought the lead down to the minimum with three minutes left. Shaun Cranley responded with an Éire Óg pointed free to bring the gap back up to two points.
Excitement was now at fever pitch as both sides fought for victory. The game was entering the period for time added when Baltinglass launched a high ball in on the Éire Óg goalmouth. It broke down to substitute Jack Hanlon, who buried a goal from close in to put his side back ahead.
If Éire Óg were shocked, they didn’t show it. Straight from the kick out they worked the ball down to Luke Dorgan, who showed great composure in sliding the ball inside the post when a point for a draw must have been the easier option.
Éire Óg attacked again from the kick out and the ball was returned to substitute Roy Byrne in the right corner. His shot for another point dipped under the crossbar at the post and suddenly the Greystones men were five points up and safe.
Jack Hanlon did point again but when the final whistle sounded after four minutes there were jubilant scenes as Éire Óg celebrated a victory which looked remote in the early stages of the game.
In a year in which there has been a rejuvenation of our fortunes at inter-county under-17 level, it was indeed fitting that we were treated to such an outstanding final at club level in this grade. Both clubs and their mentors should be credited for that.
Pat Dunne, Bord na nÓg Ca- thaoirleach, presented the winning trophy to joint captains Fionn O’Carroll and Daire Devine while the Wicklow People sponsored Man of the Match award went to Christopher Grimes, Baltinglass. The Man of the Match award sponsored by the Price family from Roundwood was presented by Mrs