Brennan kicks St Loman’s to U16 glory

Shane King

Michael Brennan’s remarkable accuracy from placed balls was what saw St Loman’s overcome Lilliput Gaels and claim the U16 Division One title in a feisty final in Rochfortbridge on Sunday morning.

The St Loman’s midfielder landed five two-point frees, as well as a further one-point free from what looked to be an impossible angle, in an outstanding individual display as the Mullingar side ran out nine-point winners.

In truth, it was a disappointing contest between the two leading sides at this age group, with a difficult wind making conditions challenging and both teams struggling to find their rhythm.

The last time these two sides met in a final was at U14 level two years ago, when St Loman’s eventually prevailed after a dramatic extra-time encounter. There was to be no repeat of that excitement this time around, unfortunately, with just five scores registered between the sides during a low-scoring opening half.

Lilliput Gaels, the amalgamation of Ballinagore, St Malachy’s and Loughnavalley, held a narrow 1-2 to 0-3 advantage at the interval after a frustrating opening 30 minutes.

The second half initially appeared set to deliver the excitement that was anticipated when Jack Favier reacted quickest to a dropping free to fire the Gaels’ second goal, before two further Darren Corcoran scores stretched their lead to five.

However, Brennan scored two superb two-point frees to bring St Loman’s right back into contention before another magnificent effort from a difficult angle levelled matters. The midfielder’s accuracy from dead balls proved decisive as the Saints gradually took control.

The turning point came when Brennan won possession from the resultant kick-out and drove through the centre before setting up Senan Briody, who finished confidently to the net and put St Loman’s ahead with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

A melee followed the goal, with pushing and shoving between players, reducing Lilliput to 14 players and leaving them struggling to regain their momentum as St Loman’s dominated the closing stages.

Brennan added another two-point free before Kalvin Flynn pointed from play, although Lilliput continued to threaten at the other end, with a number of efforts on goal being kept out by a determined St Loman’s defence.

With an extraordinary 11 minutes of injury time played, St Loman’s eventually put the result beyond doubt in the final moments.

A slick move involving Shane Canning and Sam Clerkin created the opening for Flynn, who finished to the net to complete a convincing victory for the Mullingar side.

The opening half had been a slow affair, with several wides and efforts dropping short before Brennan finally opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

The midfielder struck a superb two-point free from the ground, from outside the ‘45 and against the wind, to give St Loman’s an early advantage.

Lilliput had enjoyed most of the possession but had struggled to turn it into scores. They finally opened their account 10 minutes later when Billy Whelan delivered a superb pass into Darren Corcoran, who made no mistake as he palmed the ball to the net.

St Loman’s responded immediately with a well-worked move. Kalvin Flynn carried the ball forward before it eventually came back to Sean O’Reilly, who pointed neatly from play.

Lilliput finished the half strongly, with Corcoran converting a free after good pressure forced a foul on the St Loman’s defence before Aaron Kenny set up Conor O’Neill for a well-taken point from play.

That left the Gaels two points ahead at the break on a scoreline of 1-2 to 0-3.

They extended their advantage shortly after the restart when Mark Carey produced an excellent turnover in midfield and fed O’Neill, who was fouled while attempting to shoot.

O’Neill's resultant free dropped short, however, and Favier reacted quickest to kick the loose ball to the net.

St Loman’s responded with a two-point free from Brennan after a free was brought forward following dissent towards the referee.

Corcoran then restored Lilliput’s five-point advantage, first firing over after his initial placed effort dropped short before converting another free.

From here, however, St Loman’s began to find their stride. Brennan split the posts with another monster two-point free after a heavy challenge on Briody, before repeating the feat minutes later to leave just one point between the sides.

The midfielder was involved again shortly afterwards, swinging over an incredible pointed free from the ground at a very narrow angle. The effort was initially waved wide, but following consultation with the referee, the score was awarded, bringing the sides level.

From the resultant kick-out, St Loman’s won possession and Brennan surged through the centre before finding Briody, who made no mistake as he buried the ball to the net.

The goal put St Loman’s in front for the first time and proved to be the defining moment of the contest. The subsequent melee resulted in O’Connor receiving his second yellow card, leaving Lilliput a man down for the remainder of the game.

St Loman’s made full use of the extra man, with Brennan adding another two-point free and Flynn pointing from play. Lilliput refused to give up and had opportunities in the dying stages, but the St Loman’s defence held firm.

Eventually, with the clock deep into the 70th minute, a slick final move involving Canning and Clerkin ended with Flynn finding the net to seal the Division One title.

Scorers - St. Loman’s: M Brennan 0-11 (5 2ptf, 1f), K Flynn 1-1, S Briody 1-0, S O’Reilly 0-1.

Lilliput Gaels: D Corcoran 1-3 (2f), J Favier 1-0, C O’Neill 0-1.

St. Loman’s: James McHugh; Declan Bourke, Iarlaith Sweeney, Eoin McGinley; Harry Brennan, Jack Daly, Sean O’Reilly; Michael Brennan, Killian Raleigh; Billy Lambden, Shane Canning, Sam Clerkin; Sam Geoghegan, Senan Briody, Kalvin Flynn. Subs: Michael Long for S O’Reilly (50), Declan Bourke for McGinley (50), David Connell for Lambden (56), Emmet Carolan for H Brennan (58), Sam Sheerin for Daly (64), Páidí Slevin for Sweeney (69).

Lilliput Gaels: Daire Jackson; Mark Carey, James O’Connor, Donnacha Mangan; Aaron Kenny, Conor King, Aaron Wallace; Billy Whelan, Daniel Masterson; Adam O’Connor, Darren Corcoran, John Dwyer; Conor O’Neill, Jack Favier, Josh Hynes. Subs: John Reynolds for Dwyer (43).

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Milltown).

Footnote: A minute’s silence was observed before the game in memory of Kyle Geoghegan, a former Lilliput Gaels player who sadly passed away unexpectedly during the week.