U15 Boys
County League Division 9 Final
24th May 2023
Ballymac Gold 4-14 Listowel 4-3
In a free flowing and sporting game of football, Ballymac Gold team came out on top in a game that truthfully, we fully deserved to win.
A comfortable half time lead of 2-7 to 1-1, was reflective of the superiority of our lads. However, it must be said that in this half Listowel were a bit wasteful up front and had a lot of wides. Add to this some resolute defending by our boys. Also, and more importantly, our custodian Jack Lynch pulled off 3 tremendous saves. Had these gone in???
The 2nd half saw Ballymac play some fantastic football on both ends of the pitch and our lead was extended.
Listowel to their credit, never gave in and went searching for goals. They eventually breached our cover once…., then again…and then again!!
Game on! 8 points in it…could they get another? No said our boys, we knuckled down, saw out the game, and the refs whistle sounded much to the delight of our boys and supporters.
For the majority of this team, this victory was made all the sweeter, because of all the heartbreaks experienced over the last number of years. A fitting and just reward for this talented bunch.
Thanks to our loyal supporters, to a sporting Listowel team and management and to St Pats for the use of their fine facilities. Thanks also to Billy who reffed the game very well.
Graham West and Kyran Boyle accepted the trophy on behalf of the team.
A number of injuries and school tours meant we only had the bare 1 5.
But it’s quality, not quantity
Team 1. Jack Lynch…solid as a rock. Kept us in it with top class saves and his kick outs were on the money. Most improved player on our squad by far.
- Kyran Boyle…joint captain, showed tremendous character when faced with injury. A warrior on our team. Played really well.
- Fionn Enright…so dependable, Fionn puts in near perfect games every time he plays. Is growing in confidence and potential.
- Gearoid OConnor…had an outstanding game and only u1 3!! Tackled and carried with ease. A good player with a bright future.
- Daniel Moriarty…quality, energy, skill…his qualities are endless. Another u13 player who had an excellent game.
- Jackson Brosnan…a candidate for man of the match. Jackson’s ability to read the game is unparalleled. Combine this with his natural strength and skill, and you see why he is so good.
- Conor McCarthy…another man of the match candidate. Bossed his man from start to finish, carried the ball very well and set up our forwards to score. Chipped in with 2 quality points. Excellent game.
- Jack Collins…head and shoulders above everybody else, it’s easy to see why he has been recently selected on development squad. Dominated the middle, scored at will and set up his team mates for scores time and again. Finished with an incredible 2-9!
- Cian Gilroy…played really well in the 1st half, but it was the 2nd half where we saw his true self. 1 of the best readers of the game on our team, his positional sense thwarted many dangerous Listowel attacks. After a tough couple of weeks for Cian and his family, this was thoroughly deserving.
- Seadhna O’Brien…worked tirelessly on the wing getting up and down the pitch. Seamlessly slotted into the backs when we went down to 14 men, and though he may not have been our top scorer, his high work rate was a huge factor in the winning of the game.
- Ryan Burke…played a very very smart game. Linked extremely well with his defence and carried the ball with great efficiency and confidence.
- Graham West…joint captain and 1 of Graham’s best games. Caught, tackled, passed and scored. Kicked 2 good points. Should be very proud of his performance.
- Shane Cassidy… Shane has developed a habit of getting goals in every match…and tonight was no different!!…. chipping the keeper for a goal in the 2nd half to add to his personal tally.
- Conor Lynch…another player with a high football IQ, Conor brought all players around him into it with unselfish passing. Got his goal, deservingly so, in 2nd half.
1 5. Tadhg OConnor…another u13 player who did very well for himself. Not fazed by the big pitch or older players, he even chipped in with a point too.
Injured/ unavailable; Darragh McMahon, Liam O’RahiIIy, Cathal Carr, Gearoid Joy, Eric Quirke, Harvey Leen
