Castleconnor triumph with late, late goal
Sligo GAA U-20 ‘B’ C’ship Final Castleconnor Tourlestrane 1-8 0-9
THE BITS that we could see were very good. Although last Friday’s Sligo U-20 ‘B’ Football Championship final between Castleconnor and Tourlestrane was hampered by fog, with visibility especially diminished in the latter stages of the second-half, both finalists produced a cracker in the cold and foggy conditions at Fr Kevin Brehony Park, Keash. Castleconnor, who for long spells threatened to run riot, needed a dramatic goal in the first minute of stoppage time for a two-point win, 1-8 to 0-9.
With the Tom Bailey-inspired Tourlestrane clutching onto a onepoint lead, 0-9 to 0-8, it looked as if goalkeeper Jack Lundy would be their hero as he made a fantastic double-save to deny Stephen Rogan and Padraig Gavin in quick succession. But the ball came to Kevin Rutledge and he goaled from close-range to break Tourlestrane hearts and lift those of Castleconnor.
This was a massive result for west Sligo’s Castleconnor who were without Patrick Cooney (injured) and Michael Sheridan (unavailable). These players are the club’s present and future – eight of the starters in this 13-a-side fixture against Tourlestrane featured in October’s Connacht Gold Intermediate Football Championship relegation final win over Shamrock Gaels. Stephen Rogan, who kicked 0-7, was Castleconnor’s standout performer, while team captain Darragh Flynn, Matthew Langan, Cian Flynn, Eoghan Durkan and Padraig Gavin each contributed to this result. Tourlestrane, who were hampered by the absence of injured duo Aiden Marren and Evan King, had a star in Tom Bailey, who played for the club in this year’s Homeland Senior Football Championship. Bailey notched eight of Tourlestrane’s nine points, a haul that included seven frees, with Danny Cawley the beaten finalists’ only other scorer.
Aaron O’Hara, another senior team player, was given the daunting job of attempting to curb Stephen Rogan, while Stephen Mooney worked hard. Under lights and with the fog providing a sinister blanket, Castleconnor started with Stephen Rogan especially busy and he kicked the winners’ opening two scores.
Three points without reply from Tourlestrane, with Tom Bailey and Danny Cawley on target, brought the green and gold into proceedings and into the lead.
The first-half became a tit-for-tat affair, although several Castleconnor moves hinted at goals. The best of these led to a cracking shot from Stephen Rogan that Jack Lundy kept out in the 28th minute.
Castleconnor were two points up at half-time, 0-6 to 0-4, and they had doubled their lead midway through the second-half courtesy of further points from Stephen Rogan. The men from the west surived a major goalmouth scare when a free attempt from Tom Bailey dropped short into the goalmouth and Danny Cawley’s goalbound flick came off the crossbar. Then Tourlestrane took over and five unanswered points from Tom Bailey, who converted frees with aplomb and also landed a booming point from play, put them in front, 0-9 to 0-8. Castleconnor would have the last laugh in the fog, however.
Tom Bailey’s excellent finishing and that of Stephen Rogan has to be commended because the uprights were close to invisible as shots were taken from distance.
The number of points scored by Tourlestrane’s Tom Bailey in last Friday’s U-20 ‘B’ decider.
Player of the Match: Stephen Rogan Castleconnor: Fionn Gordon, Paul Ruane, Barry Kilcullen, Darragh Stenson, Lee Gilmartin, Padraig Gavin, Cian Flynn, Eoghan Durkan, Kevin Rutledge (1-0), Darragh Flynn (c), Thomas Langan, Matthew Langan (0-1), Stephen Rogan (0-7, 4f)
Sub used: Jack Byron
Tourlestrane: Jack Lundy, Barry Tobin, Diarmuid Monaghan, Adrian Walsh (c), Aaron O’Hara, Robbie O’Hara, Stephen Mooney, Cormac Dolan, Darren Gallagher, Tom Bailey (0-8, 7f), Conor Surlis, Danny Cawley (0-1), Ryan McGowan
Subs used: Shane Duffy, Eoin Kennedy Referee: Gavin Cawley
Castleconnor’s top scorer Stephen Rogan, who hit 0-7, is pictured with his dad Michael and sister Grace.
Castleconnor goalkeeper Fionn Gordon and his dad, Colin.
Castleconnor captain Darragh Flynn (number 11) and Cian Flynn (number eight), who is Darragh’s first cousin, with the trophy after the defeat of Tourlestrane last Friday night at Fr Kevin Brehony Park, Keash.