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Tuesday 10th May 2005 2005 U14 Féile na nGael Final Kilmoyley 1-3 Causeway 0-4 Kilmoyley win first Féile in 24 years Conor Fitzell became the first Kilmoyley captain since Pat Deenihan in 1991 to lift the Féile na nGael trophy. In a thrilling and very entertaining game at Austin Stacks park, underdogs Kilmoyley upset the odds and in giving a top class performance overcame a much bigger and physically stronger Causeway side. From our 'keeper Vincent Savage (ala Davy Fitzgerald) who made three excellent saves to keep Kilmoyley in the game, to corner forward Timothy O'Brien who scored the all-important goal midway through the second half, it was certainly the team performance that was required to overcome their opponents. Although some of the Kilmoyley players seemed small in stature in the vast surroundings of Austin Stacks park, they certainly made up for this with plenty of guts and determination. None moreso than centre back Sean Dowling (nephew of legendary Michael Lawlor) who seemed to be encased in an invisible force field, driving all before him. Kilmoyley started by defending the Mitchell's end facing a stiffening breeze. It was apparent from the start that Causeway were physically bigger than the boys in green and gold and they lay siege to the Kilmoyley goal right from the off, but they could only manage two early wides in the first five minutes. Despite some great defending, Causeway's pressure eventually told and they scored two points in quick succession. Not to be outdone Conor Fitzell scored Kilmoyley's first point from play with a great effort. Conor was winning some good ball early on but the Causeway defence swarmed him every time and allowed him little room. Sean Dowling too was in the thick of things at the other end of the field but he was ably assisted by the Maunsells and Edmund Grifiin in particular. Despite plenty of Causeway pressure the Kilmoyley defence were still holding out until the tenth minute, but when the Causeway full forward found himself five yards from goal with only young Savage to beat in goals, the situation looked bad. But he blocked a low hard shot and in his attempt to clear the ball in a melee he was fouled and won a free. He was in action a couple of minutes later when he deflected a tricky shot out for a '65 from which Causeway scored an excellent point. There was little ball reaching the Kilmoyley forwards at this stage and Conor Fitzell helped hisdefence out with a few great relieving clearances. The halftime whistle blew a few minutes later with the score 0-3 to 0-1. So despite being under much pressure for the half Kilmoyley were still only two points down and now had the advantage of the breeze in the second half. Kilmoyley started as Causeway had done in the first half, by putting their opponents under pressure but the result was the same - two scoreable chances put wide. A number of injuries slowed the game down early on, but Kilmoyley were relentless in applying the pressure. Midfielder Ray Barrett won some great ball between both 45s and was in the thick of the action, as was wing back Edmund Griffin who made some great runs up the field. One of them ended in a free which he took himself and pointed to narrow the gap. Star forward Conor Fitzell was being crowded out of the game when in possession, and this was a credit to Causeway's defending. But after ten minutes he made two telling runs that changed the game in Kilmoyley's favour. He first gained possession inside the sixty five metre line and headed for goals. He laid off a pass to midfielder John Paul Mahony whose twenty metre shot was saved, but the rebound was batted to the net by corner forward Timothy O'Brien. He caught a great ball again a few minutes later from a Causeway puckout amongst a group of players, and scored a great point to edge Kilmoyley three points in front. But credit to Causeway who faught back and only for a brilliant save from 'keeper Vincent Savage the teams would have been level agin. Despite an obvious height disadvantage, the Kilmoyley fullback line repelled a few late attacks as the game moved into injury time. There was some confusion with a late Causeway free which was initially flagged over, then wide by both umpires and finally after an intervention by the linesman the point was finally awarded to reduce the lead to two. There was only time for another Causeway wide as the referee blew the fulltime whistle amid jubilant scenes for Kilmoyley to win its twelvth Féile title. Amazingly, from 1974 to 1991 Kilmoyley had won 11 of 18 titles, but this was the first victory since then. Causeway were bitterly disappointed with the defeat but they were gallant losers and have some fine hurlers in their ranks. But it was Kilmoyley's day and captain Conor Fitzell accepted the cup and trophy from Bórd na nÓg chairman Johnny Brosnan. All players were rightly congratulated by the large gathering of supporters for a brave and determined effort. Congratulations too must go to trainer Joe Walsh who put in a big effort over the last few weeks, as did his selectors Fenton Ryan, John Godley and Jim Savage.
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KILMOYLEY TEAM Vincent Savage, |
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