Ballycastle Gaels take U- 21 C title
Ballycastle Gaels 0-13 St. Kevin’s 1-5
BALLYCASTLE Gaels were worthy winners over St. Kevin’s in the Under 21 C FC final at Buttevant on Saturday. The winners dominated from the start and led all through. St. Kevin’s made a comeback in the second half and their goal by Ronan Buckley gave them hope. They were unable to breach the Gaels defence where Freach McGrath, John Browne, and Jack Relihan were impressive in the half back line. Up front Niall Hazelwood and Jake Mehigan were in great form accounting for 0-9 between them.
In the opening minutes St Kevin’s keeper Eoin Kelleher saved a penalty from Dylan O’Connor. Ballycastle used the short passing to great effect and they led 0-6 to 0-0 by the 20th minute when Jake Mehigan (3) Niall Hazelwood and Dylan O’Connor were on target. St. Kevin’s had their opening score in the 2lst minute by Ronan Buckley. They followed with 3 points by Brian Murphy. Ballycastle had two late points by Aidan O’Leary and Seamus Roche as they led 0-8 to 0-4 at the break.
On the resumption John Browne pointed ‘45. Jake Mehigan added a point after a 3 man attack. Good play by Shane Buckley to Michael O’Flynn led to a well taken goal by Ronan Buckley. St. Kevin’s created a few chances but they lacked scoring power.
Niall Hazelwood soloed through and pointed for the winners in the 44th minute 0- 11 to 1-4. Niall Hazelwood punched a long range point and his side were 5 points clear. Jake Mehigan and Brian Murphy exchanged a late point with Ballycastle Gaels holding out for a five point win.
After the game Arthur O’Keeffe Board Vice Chairman presented the cup to the winning captain Niall Hazelwood who was also named ‘man of the match’. BALLYCASTLE GAELS: J Roche, L Sugrue, E Buckley, O O’Flynn, F McGrath, J Browne 0-1 ‘45’, J Relihan, S Roche 0-1, E O’Riordan, D Collins, N Hazelwood 0-4, J Mehigan 0-5, D O’Neill, D O’Connor 0-1, A O’Leary 0-1. Subs: T Crowley for A O’Leary, R O’Gorman for D Collins, P Sheehan for D O’Neill.
ST. KEVIN’S: E Kelleher, M Hayes, R O’Gorman, D Jones, K O’Leary, D O’Neill, D Hayes-Daly, S Buckley, M Buckley, M O’Flynn, D Finnegan, T Hennessy, S Finn, B Murphy 0-4 (2f), R Buckley 1-1. Subs: D Fitzgerald for T Hennessy, K O’Flynn for R Buckley, D McCarthy for D Fitzgerald, J Sheehan for D Hayes-Daly. REFEREE: Alec Morrissey (Newtownshandrum)