Sean Slevin trophy returns to Ballyshannon
Sean Slevin under 14 Memorial Tournament
27 September 2008
Aodh Ruadh 5-16
St Pat's, The Loup, Derry 2-8
Gerry McIntyre reports from Father Tierney Park.
Aodh Ruadh overcame a strong and gallant St Pat's side in the final of the Sean Slevin tournament on a glorious afternoon in Father Tiarney Park on Saturday. This match was played in the best of spirit and it is a credit to both clubs that they can turn out under 14s with such a great sporting attitude.
The Ballyshannon boys dominated the game from the start and controlled every sector of the pitch. In fact Ballyshannon had it too easy which revealed itself in over elaboration and over-carrying of the ball and this cost them on the score-board. Mid-way through the first half The Loup came to grips with the wide open spaces of Father Tierney park and matched the home side score for score. Aodh Ruadh were playing to a pattern with half-back Matthew Gettins linking well with the midfielders and creating room for the forwards. This allowed Jamie McDonald to score two goals, which gave the home side a eight point lead at the end of the first half.
In second half the Derry boys played a lot more possession football and this yielded some good scores. Yet they could not match the bigger, stronger and fitter Ballyshannon team. Pauric Patton and Ciaran Keown controlled the middle of the field. Early in the half Johnny Gethins moved into the middle of the attack and himself and James Kelly brought the rest of the Ballyshannon forwards into the game with some deft passing. The home side scored a further three goals in the second half, the best of them coming from Jack Dolan. At the end of the contest trophies and medals were presented to both teams by the Slevin family.
Aodh Ruadh: Conor Gilmartin; Michael McNeeley, Eamon McGrath, Patrick Gillespie, Matthew Gettins, Darren Gethins, Kieran Storey, Colin Keown, Pauric Patton, Johnny Gethins, James Barron, James Kelly, David McGurn, Conor Patton, Jamie McDonald, Colm Kelly, Patrick Dixon, Adam Irwin, Ryan Gillen, Daniel McIntyre, Jack Dolan, Dominic Boyle, N. Harley.
Report Filed: 13 October 2008