Saints prove too strong for All Whites

St Mary's, Rochfortbridge 2-17, Moate All Whites 0-9

On an immaculate surface in Rochfortbridge on Wednesday evening last, we were treated to all that is good about the game of football as St Mary's and Moate locked horns in the league decider in front of a sizable and appreciative crowd.

Football of the highest order, scores well-constructed and taken, team play of top drawer quality from two well coached sides, marvellous goalkeeping and sportsmanship that many other sides could and should copy made for a highly entertaining affair in pleasant conditions. St Mary's were far the better team here, but in typical Moate fashion they battled right to the very end and showed some superb skill themselves. However, they could not convert it into enough scores to bother a fine home side who ran out comfortable and deserving winners.

St Mary's set there stall out early with two points from Diabhinn Mitchell, one each from Aidan Berry, Aidan Clarke and Ryan Phelan and the former a well worked goal, while Moate’s only reply came from a Conor Delaney free as the Bridge led handsomely after 10 minutes. A free and a beauty from play by Delaney narrowed the gap for the Whites, but Stephen Gorry, Clarke and Ross Daly picked off three fine points for the Saints who regained control.

Moate sub Tomas Adamson lifted the siege momentarily with a super point from play, but St Mary's finished the half very strongly with five unanswered points: Ryan Phelan, Daniel Healy (with two superb strikes), sub Conor Kiernan with an absolute pearler, and a Ross Daly free. Indeed, but for the heroics of the Moate defence and a number of brilliant saves by Oliver Brown in goal, the home side would have led by considerably more than the 1-13 to 0-4 advantage they held at the break.

It was business as usual on the resumption and barely a minute had passed when Conor Kiernan netted a second major for the Saints, after a superb move was finished with aplomb.

Impressive wing-back Stephen Clarke got in on the act with another excellent score for St Mary's and even at this stage the game was beyond the Whites and their cause was not helped by a back card, but as previously stated they never threw in the towel and courageously battled on with nippy corner forward Billy Malone pointing a free after a barnstorming run.

Both teams emptied the bench at this stage and plenty of young players got game time. Ryan Phelan and sub Michael Balfe added to the St Mary's total with their final score coming from captain Ross Daly.

However, Moate finished with a wet sail and played some marvellous football late on and Malone, their standout player by a distance, kicked two from play and one from a free. Conor Delaney ended the scoring with a fabulous point for the Whites to finish on a high note, at least, with St Mary's claiming the spoils, overall.

Afterwards team captain Ross Daly accepted the winners shield and gave a very eloquent speech to the delight of the large St Mary's faithful.

Scorers - St Mary's: Diahann Mitchell 1-2, Conor Kiernan 1-1, Ross Daly (1 free), Ryan Phelan 0-3 each, Daniel Healy and Aidan Clarke 0-2 each, Stephen Clarke, Stephen Gorry, Aidan Berry and Michael Balfe 0-1 each.

Moate All Whites: Conor Delaney (2 frees) and Billy Malone (2 frees) 0-4 each, Tomas Adamson 0-1.

St Mary's: Ryan Kelly Milligan, Harry Butler, Darragh Tone, Ciaran Whelan, Stephen Clarke, Tom Moore, Stephen Gorry, Aidan Berry, Ross Daly, Daniel Healy, Aidan Clarke, Ryan Phelan, Jayden Neal, Diabhinn Mitchell, Padraig Cooney. Subs used: Conor Kiernan, Michael Balfe, Kareem Marey, Leo Brogan, Kai Tyrrell, Jack O’Shea, Eoin Fitzgerald, Ryan Scott, Mark Corrigan and Charlie Healy

Moate: Oliver Brown, Evan Costello, Michael Horan, P.J. Geoghegan, Jamie Rosney, Oisin Daly, Ethan McArdle, Oisin McMahon, Maciek Pietka, Kody Coyne, Joseph Ward, Cian Browne, Billy Malone, Conor Delaney and Sean Burke. Subs used: Daniel Dwyer, Tomas Adamson, Ben Claffey, Odhran Cullen, Conor Fox, Calum Lynch, Jayden Manuel and Cillian Walsh

Referee: Eoin Cawley (Bunbrosna).