Seán on Hand to steer St Paul’s to famous victory

St Paul's 2-8, Coralstown/Kinnegad 1-8

Goals from Conor Raleigh and Seán Hand ensured St Paul’s of a famous victory in the Westmeath U13 Division 2 Football Championship final, at Multyfarnham on Saturday, where they overcame a gallant Coralstown/Kinnegad side.

The sides were level at half-time (1-4 apiece) on a cold but dry afternoon, following quite an entertaining first half in which Coralstown/Kinnegad made the superior start, but fell short when it came to execution. After Jamie McGuinness’ free put St Paul’s a point ahead early on, Coralstown/Kinnegad scored an unanswered 1-4 to lead by six points with 18 minutes on the clock.

Eric Leonard’s goal after nine minutes was the pivotal score in this blistering period, following a St Paul’s kick-out that went awry. Wing back Luke Gray looked lively and kicked two points from play; midfielder Harry Speller kicked a minor and centre back Callum Campbell also got in on the scoring act when Gray and Leonard combined in a nice move.

Emmet McDonnell’s charges looked impressive in their approach play, but left good chances behind them and when Connor Raleigh finished sublimely to the net in the 24th minute, St Paul’s were back in business. Raleigh tucked the ball past Dara McGurran in neat style with the outside of the right boot, showing his obvious class. Jack and Jamie McGuinness (free) added points for a rejuvenated St Paul’s side and it was all to play for at the interval.

A gripping final was level twice in the third quarter before a high, dropping ball from Daelan Briody was helped to the net by Seán Hand in the 53rd minute. It proved the crucial score.

Jack McGuinness and Killian Dardis (free) had exchanged early minors and Dardis (free) gave the reds the lead before Jamie McGuinness pointed, after his initial shot was saved by McGurran. Coralstown/Kinnegad were leading by a solitary point in the 49th minute when Campbell slotted over a free, but that was as close as they came to winning. Hand’s goal gave St Paul’s momentum with eight minutes remaining and Raleigh added a point.

The Clonmellon side went four clear when Jack McGuinness converted a free in the 58th minute and while Eoin Walsh replied, there was no stopping the saints. Afterwards, Peter Collins, Coiste na nÓg secretary, presented the cup to Conor Raleigh and Jamie McGuinness as St Paul’s celebrated a memorable victory.

Scorers – St Paul’s: Jamie McGuinness 0-4 (2f), C Raleigh 1-1, S Hand 1-0, Jack McGuinness 0-3 (1f). Coralstown/Kinnegad: E Leonard 1-0, L Gray, K Dardis (2f) and C Campbell (1f) 0-2 each, H Speller and E Walsh 0-1 each.

St Paul’s: Peter Usher; Danny Ball, Josh Mulvaney, Shane Heaney; Niall Muldoon, Marcus Mangan, Shane Cox; Jamie McGuinness, Jack McGuinness; Oisín McGuinness, Conor Raleigh, Evan Rooney; Daelan Briody, Aaron Reilly, Seán Hand. Sub used: Calvin Spaight.

Coralstown/Kinnegad: Dara McGurran; Aodhan McDonald, William Leavy, Ruairí Fleming; Luke Gray, Callum Campbell, Dylan McNevin; Eoin Walsh, Harry Speller; Andrew Leavy, Eric Leonard, Alvin Daly Conway; Dara O’Donoghue, Cormac Maguire, Killian Dardis. Subs used: Daniel Wiley, Donnacha Farrell, Adam Clinton.

Ref: Barry Pierce (St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge).

Examiner's Eye on game

Man of The Match

Conor Raleigh (St Paul’s): It can sometimes be a subjective view and certainly in this final, a case could be made for a number of players. Midfielders Jamie and Jack McGuiness were excellent all through, but the vote goes to the impressive Conor Raleigh, who took his first half goal with aplomb at a stage when St Paul’s were badly in need of some inspiration.