U16 Division three championship final may 20 2001

U16 Division three championship final

St. Michaels ............ 5-7
Kilglass Gaels ......... 1-10
No doubts about this one. St. Michaels hadn't tasted underage success since
1983, so this emphatic victory will receive special reverence in Cootehall
and beyond. Goals win games and St. Michaels cranked up their slick machine
to telling effect. In Ronan Martin, they paraded a lethal executioner and
Michaels made their presence felt when they embarked on a three-goal scoring
spree in the space of six minutes, immediately after half-time.
That blistering denouncement resigned a spirited Kilglass side to defeat and
even though Michaels were reduced to 14 men when centre-back Kevin Gilboy
was red carded for a professional foul on Richard Dooner, the deployment of
Martin further out the field was just as influential as his scoring prowess.
His distribution was intelligent and he acted as the steadying influence
required to close out the game.
While Michael's victory was certainly merited, Kilglass will point to some
missed goal chances when the game was delicately poised. Michael's 'keeper
Brendan Simon made two fabulous saves, one in each half, and his
intervention had a major say in determining the game's final outcome.
Richard Donner was a colossus for Kilglass and Michael's midfield allowed
the powerful maestro too much latitude in the first-half. Lessons absorbed,
they tightened up considerably for the second-half with captain Paul Roche
enjoying a fair deal of supremacy.
David Reynolds also looked a fine prospect with his powerful surging runs
while Kelvin McDermott worked tirelessly for the hour. The introduction of
Barry Walsh was also a turning point for Michaels, and his swift movement
added another impressive dimension to Michael's repertoire of skills.
Kilglass were a well balanced side and the presence of Louise Tully and Emma
Corcoran certainly strengthened their hand. Alongside the impressive Dooner,
Eoin Diffley pitched in with three fine points while Niall Kilcrann's
industry was rewarded with a consolation goal on the stroke of full-time.
They lacked strength in certain positions, but Martin Feeney enjoyed a great
tussle with Michael's Kelvin McDermott over the hour.
Michaels had threatened to self destruct earlier on by the failure to
convert all their possession into scores, but Martin settled their nerves
after 12 minutes with his opening goal. Kilglass enjoyed their dominance
which yielded points from Dooner (2), Tom Cox and Diffley, but Michaels
finished the half stronger with late points from Martin to procure a 1-3 to
0-5 interval lead.
Enter the turning point of the game, with three goals in six minutes
courtesy of a brace from Martin and an expertly struck penalty from Roche.
The Cootehall side were now rampant and further scores from Diarmuid Cox,
Roche and Martin hardened their dominance.
Kilglass did rally through Dooner and Diffley, before Reynolds banged home a
bizarre fifth goal. His shot was brilliantly saved by James Coyle, but the
ball somehow managed to loop over both players' heads into the net.
Kilcrann's late goal was a mere consolation score for his side. St. Michaels
had waited a long time for this success and they were entitled to their
moment in the sun.
ST. MICHAELS: B. Simon; C. McMorrow, E. Duignan; K. Hogg, K. Gilboy, M.
McDermott; P. Roche (1-2, one pen, one free), D. Reynolds (1-0); N. Doherty,
K. McDermott, B. Reynolds; R. Martin (3-4, one free), D. Cox (0-1). Subs
Used: B. Walsh for Doherty (21 mins); J. Brady for Duignan (59 mins)
KILGLASS GAELS: J. Coyle; R. Feeney, L. Tully; E. Corcoran, M. Feeney, E.
Lennon; R. Dooner (0-6, two frees), F. McGuire; P. Davis, E. Diffley (0-3,
one free), N. Kilcrann (1-0); T. Cox (0-1), C. Duffy.
Wides: St. Michaels - 7; Kilglass - 6.