Cullion/Delvin down St Brigid’s to take Minor Division 2 title

Cullion/Delvin 1-17, St Brigid's 3-6

Cullion/Delvin took home the MJS Building and Development Minor Division 2 title with a five-point victory over St Brigid’s in the calm and cold weather in The Downs GAA last Monday morning. A superb outing from midfielder, Eoghan Beehan, helped hugely in the cup heading to the amalgamated outfit as the beaten side will rue missed opportunities. Despite being outgunned in most areas for the majority, St Brigid’s did manage to claw themselves back to near parity in the final minutes, but a sturdy Cullion/Delvin side managed to knock over key scores to win in the end.

Michael Sinnott got the eventual winners off to a solid start with a lovely long-range free opening their account despite a plethora of wides. Sam McNally found the target to double the lead before Kelly responded for Brigid’s to settle their early jitters. Scores started to follow more swiftly in the next period as Beehan fired two alongside teammate Sinnott, who struck a double of placed balls to follow. In response, Brigid’s relied on Kelly to keep them within touching distance as he struck four of his own – all from play – including one of the scores of the season from a horrible angle near the terrace in Breedon Molloy Park.

With Cullion/Delvin ahead by a single point as the clock ticked past twenty minutes, Mark Delaney and Paul Burke saw their side kick on another gear as they took advantage of several fouls committed by Brigid’s to burst into a seven-point lead at the break. Tom Fay started and finished the spree with points, while Beehan (two), Sinnott (one free), and McNally all chipped in. Darragh Hanley in the Brigid’s goal was crucial in keeping it just to points as he made a couple of key saves. 0-12 to 0-5 at the break to Cullion/Delvin.

Eoghan Beehan opened the second half scoring mere seconds into proceedings before racking up more wides to an ever-increasing tally at both ends. Brigid’s did try and break through the resolute opposition defence but either misfired or found Caylyb Douglas in fine form. However, the reward for the effort for Brigid’s came before the 38th minute when who else but Kelly, picked out Larry Gavin and the substitute planted the ball low to the corner of the net to bring new voice to the supporters in yellow. Cullion/Delvin, despite the goal, did not seem to falter, even with the increasing intensity from Brigid’s. Beehan stepped up, yet again, to hit not one but two points in the space of a few moments to keep the lead at 0-15 to 1-5 heading to the last quarter. Once again, both goalkeepers were brought into the action as Hanley and Douglas kept out shots from range and from close.

McNally managed to find the net for Cullion/Delvin to all but end any hope for a Brigid’s fightback with less than ten to go on the clock. With ten also between the teams, it was going to take something spectacular from the Dalystown side to reduce arrears. Enter Dean Kelly. The wing-forward, already having found every Brigid’s score bar the goal, decided to go route one himself and it ended with a lovely finish to the net. Incredibly, having survived scares for a second Cullion/Delvin goal at the far goals, Brigid’s hit the net again. Kelly, unsurprisingly, the architect and the finisher as he pummelled his shot across the goals right into the angle of post and crossbar for his second and Brigid’s third goal.

With only four in it and still as many minutes left, Brigid’s went in search of more but a lovely point from Sam Connaughton calmed the nerves near the end. A late foul on Kelly began a coming together of bodies on both sides before referee, Matt Shaw issued a red card to Larry Gavin, following an incident in which several players tussled. This happened in front of the referee who took decisive action when things settled.

The final whistle brought scenes of jubilation for the combination side as Brigid’s reflect on what might have been. Cullion/Delvin captain, William Gouldsbury, accepted the Cup from Runaí Coiste nan Óg, Barry Kelly, at the end.

Scorers – Cullion/Delvin: E Beehan 0-8 (2f), S McNally 1-2, M Sinnott 0-4f, T Day 0-2, S Connaughton 0-1

St Brigid’s: D Kelly 2-5, L Gavin 1-0, C Maher 0-1f

Cullion/Delvin: Caylyb Douglas; Cathal Darby, Adam Walsh, Jamie Gowran; Marcus Delaney, Michael Sinnott, William Gouldsbury; Eoghan Beehan, Andrew Sinnott; James Baird, Sam Connaughton, Ciarán Lee; Cian Smith, Sam McNally, Tom Fay. Subs used: Jack Connaughton for Smith (h-t), Aidan Doyle for Lee (46), Luke Delaney for Baird (46), Dillon Ryan for Fay (49), Seán Hanlon for A Sinnott (58)

St Brigid’s: Darragh Hanley; Thomas McDonagh, Pádraig Keogh, Aidan Keogh; Darragh Weblin, Dylan Mulvin, Jack Carroll; Alex Eighan, Pierce Fox; Nathan Hall, Cormac Maher, Dean Kelly; Seán Corrigan, Jason Gavin, Brian Ronan. Subs used: Larry Gavin for Fox (h-t), Mikey Henry for McDonagh (h-t), Ruairí Keogh for Eighan (36), Liam Weblin for Hall (43), McDonagh for Carroll (60).

Referee: Matt Shaw (Lough Lene Gaels)