Shandonagh overcome Ballycomoyle to claim the spoils

Shandonagh GAA Notes

Shandonagh 8-12, Ballycomoyle 4-9

Shandonagh's U14 boys took to the Ballycomoyle GAA pitch on Wednesday, June 10 on a glorious summers evening to take on their hosts in the Division 3 League final.

The two teams had met in the group stages, with the opposition coming out on top by a single point. Our management team and players knew a massive effort would be needed to reverse the outcome from the previous contest. A great crowd from both clubs had turned up looking forward to highly anticipated encounter.

The match officiated by Vinny Cox threw in the ball and our lads got off to a flyer and registered some early points via Marcello Correa and Donagh Healy. Then DJ Scahill pounced on the opposition kickout and calmly tucked it away into the net. Hubert Socha, playing in midfield got his first point, which was quickly followed by another goal from marksman, DJ Scahill after been expertly put through from a Hubert Socha free. Great start from the Shan lads, now leading on a scoreline of 2-3 to 0-0. However the home team started to settle into the game and registered 1-2, with another Shan goal from Hubert Socha sandwiched between the Ballycomoyle scores. The Shandonagh backs (Conor Madden, Ethan Lennon - Capt, Daniel Smith, John McManus, Enoch Oyenuga and brothers Sean & Rory Nicholson) along with keeper Arthur Gavin had to compete hard to withstand the onslaught of attacks from the home side which they did with great commitment and endeavour. Indeed, Arthur proved to be a reliable custodian of the Shandonagh goal making some great saves in the first half. The first half continued to play out at breathtaking speed with the home team registering a further 2-3, and further scores from Shandonagh - Marcello (1-1), Coby Masterson (0-1), DJ (0-2) kept the opposition at bay. As the crowd need to take their breath, Vinny Cox blew the whistle for half-time, with Shandonagh leading on a scoreline of 4-7 to 3-5.

The second half commenced at the space pace, with our lads registering some early scores (DJ Scahill 0-1, Daire Egan 01-) and well taken goal by Coby Masterson. This was the start that was needed, as Ballycomoyle had come back from a bigger deficit in the group game and beaten Shandonagh. Now our lads started to get a stranglehold in the game, some well worked interplay from the backline into the forwards proved decisive. Aedon Heitmuller proved particularly effective in his role linking the play as well as been every effective on the opposition kickouts. Some changes were made in the second half introducing into the forward line Michael Walsh who added 0-1 and further steel into the backline with Nicholas Dixon. Our full forward line (Donagh Healy, Daire Egan & Myles Sleator) shown great commitment in the tackle and the opposition kickout, managed to win back ball and score (M Sleator 1-0, D.Egan 0-1) and create further scoring opportunities for their teammates. Both Coby Masterson and Hubert Socha continued to dominate in midfield, with both registering further goals. Our backs continued to defend their patch with massive intensity and the replacements (James Smith, Alex Sochanski, Mason Bennett) all brought additional bite to the game, making notable contributions. Alex Wheeler, Evan Smyth and Scott Darby ensured the standard did not drop when they came into the forward line maintaining the tigerish attitude, getting on the ball and engaging in the battle. In addition, big shout out to Cailean Campbell who took over goaling keeping duties – as Ballycomoyle through everything at our goal to get themselves back into the game, Cailean pulled off 3 fantastic saves and was very reliable in clearing our lines.

The referee blew the final whistle and our young men emerged victorious. Captain, Ethan Lennon received the shield from Barry Kelly (Westmeath GAA) and thanked the match officials, the opposition for the most competitive of games, his teammates and parents.

The players and management team would like to thank the Club Executive for organising pizza and refreshments in the club house afterwards.

Shandonagh panel: Arthur Gavin, Ethan Lennon (Capt), Rory Nicholson, John McManus, Daniel Smyth, Sean Nicholson, Conor Madden, Hubert Socha (2-3), Coby Masterson (2-1), Aedon Heitmuller, DJ Scahill (2-3), Marcelo Correa (1-1), Myles Thornton Sleator(1-0), Daire Egan (0-2), Donagh Healy(0-1). Subs: Cailean Campbell, Enoch Oyenuga, James Smith, Alex Sochanski, Michael Walshe(0-1) Alex Wheeler, Scott Darby, Evan Smyth.

Ext Panel: Danny Timlin, Jason Ruane, Malachy Pearson.

Coaches: Aidan Lennon, Pat Webb, Jude Sleator, Luke Madden, Aubrey Pearson.