Jordan the star for St Joseph’s
ACFL Division 5 final: St Joseph’s 2-12, St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge 2-7
A thoroughly entertaining and at times enthralling Division 5 league final on Sunday morning last saw all that was good about the game of football in TEG Cusack Park, writes Paul Doolin.
This was end-to-end which kept the large attendance thoroughly engaged right up to the final blast of referee Damien Maher’s whistle, and at the end it was St Joseph’s who had prevailed and claimed their first silverware in many a long year.
Two relatively young sides went toe to toe and some of the scoring was certainly of the top drawer variety, but it was St Joseph’s, with a fourth quarter burst, who sealed the deal with five unanswered points in that run in that justifiably deserved their win, which marks them as ones to watch in this year’s junior football championship.
A whirlwind start saw Joseph’s jump into a three-point lead with Ros Elliffe opening the scoring after some patient build up, and then Jordan McDonnell scoring from a free and then a beauty from play.
St Mary’s replied, and frees from Ian Keelan and Eoin Gorman narrowed the gap to the minimum. But the Streamstown men were always in charge, and they upped the ante considerably thereafter with another McDonnell free and a fabulous score from an acute angle, before Elliffe netted a quite sublime individual goal to rubberstamp their superiority.
James Lynch stemmed the tide for the ‘Bridge, but points from Ben McDonnell and a wonderful solo effort from Dean Slevin saw Joseph’s pull seven clear as we headed for the break.
Sean Carroll narrowed the gap after a flowing team move, but in added time at the end of the half St Mary’s got the fillip they needed when Keelan was hauled down and then got up to convert the resultant penalty. After a half that Joseph’s dominated, they now only led by 1-7 to 1-4 at the short whistle.
That advantage was wiped out 90 seconds into the second half when sub Jordan Ajani found James Lynch, and he equalised with a well-finished three pointer. When Gorman pointed a free three minutes later, it looked as if the momentum had swung completely.
Jack Reid extended the ‘Bridge lead to two from long range after McDonnell had been denied a certain goal at the opposite end, but then Joseph’s rose like a phoenix again, and a fine team move saw Andy Scally cross for sub Padraic Moran to bravely fist to the net.
Gorman again levelled with a lovely point for St Mary’s, but that was to be their last score of the game as a rejuvenated Joseph’s finished with a wet sail. Jordan McDonnell hit three (a free and two exceptional scores from varying angles), and Ros Elliffe shot a superb point after great approach play.
Finally, after a late, late rally by St Mary’s that was repelled by a resolute Joseph’s defence, it was Elliffe who pointed the score of the game from almost the end line to finally put the game to bed and ensure a win for St Joseph’s.
Afterwards, Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall presented the trophy to St Joseph’s captain Ross Elliffe.
Scorers – St Joseph’s: J McDonnell 0-7 (5f), R Elliffe 1-3, P Moran 1-0, D Slevin and B McDonnell 0-1 each. St Mary’s: J Lynch and I Keelan (1-0 pen, 0-1f) 1-1 each, Eoin Gorman 0-3 (2f), J Reid and S Carroll 0-1 each.
St Joseph’s: Niall Rabbitte; Eoin Kelly, Andrew Conway, Aaron McDonnell; Brian Fitzgerald, Dean Slevin, Andy Scally; Wayne McCormack, Pearse Weir Norris; Ben McDonnell, Ros Elliffe, Daniel Keegan; Brian Keegan, Niall Moran, Jordan McDonnell. Subs used: Brian Killian for Kelly (h-t), Padraic Moran for W McCormack (35), Matthew Farrell for D Keegan (41), Peter Reid for B Keegan (59).
St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge: Colin McGowan; Enda Cully, Dan O’Sullivan, Cathal Coyle; Finian Carroll, Peter Lawlor, Brian O’Sullivan; Eddie Whelehan, Adam Bradley; Jack Reid, Daragh Hall, Sean Carroll; James Lynch, Eoin Gorman, Ian Keelan. Subs used: Jordan Ajani for Cully (h-t), Francis Duffy for F Carroll (50).
Ref: Damien Maher (Ballynacargy).
Man of the match: Jordan McDonnell (St Joseph’s).