
With Gerry Drennan Galmoy/Windgap 4-10 and Young Irelands Gowran 0-8
The ability to hit goals at crucial times saw Galmoy/Windgap finish their year on a winning note when they overcame Young Irelands Gowran in this U-16 League Shield final at Bennettsbridge on Saturday November 16th 2013.Sean Carey was in flying form early on for Young Irelands and d hit two early points to put his side in front.The Gowran lads seemed to be operating off a ‘feed Carey’ policy as they were sending in some quality low ball.In the 10th minute Galmoy/Windgap got off the mark when Jack Delaney send in a long delivery.Niall Walsh gathered,beat two men and batted to the net past the advancing Jamie Mahoney.Over the next ten minutes both Walsh and Carey exchanged three points each from play and placed balls to leave the winners ahead 1-3 to 0-5 after twenty minutes of play.Then some beautiful interplay between Niall Walsh and Oisín Phelan saw the latter send a cracker to the Gowran net.Phelan added a point almost immediately following a Brandan Phelan pass.Sean Carey gathered a Geoff Brennan delivery and replied before he was fouled himself and converted.In the 27th minute Galmoy/Windgap finished their half in style when Oisín Phelan caught a Brandan Phelan cross,side stepped two defenders and netted.Ted Drea pulled one back for Gowran with a great point from the right wing on the stroke of half time.Little did we know,but this was to be Young Irelands’ last score of the day as Galmoy/Windgap led at the break 3-4 to 0-8.
The second half belonged to the winners as they turned on a very stylish performance.With David Doyle policing the ever dangerous Carey,Conor Grace in fine form at wing back,and midfielders Jack Delaney and Patrick Grace working their socks off they dominated.Niall Walsh put over some nice points and Conor Drennan also weighed in with a brace before Walsh closed the deal with a goal from a 20 metre free.
The Young Irelands lads tried hard with Sean Roche, and Geoff Brennan doing most to support Sean Carey, but this was not to be their day.Joe Pyke,on behalf of Bord na nÓg, presented the shield to joint captains Kieran Phelan and Niall Walsh.
The winning panel received their medals from Brian Cody at a function in Galmoy Parish Hall on that same Saturday night.
Galmoy/Windgap: James Culleton,Ryan Murphy,David Doyle,Sean Phelan,Conor Grace,Kieran Phelan,Robert White,Jack Delaney(0-1),Patrick Grace,Conor Drennan(0-2),Niall Walsh(2-5,1-3fs),Josh Price,Oisín Phelan(2-1),Brandan Phelan(0-1),Cathal Phelan.
Sub: Patrick Doyle for Cathal Phelan 48 mins.
Young Irelands:Jamie Mahoney,Tyler Lennon,Jamie Bryan,Jeremy Farrell,Michael Carey,Sean Roche,Kevin Brennan,Philip O Donnell,Tommy Byrne,Ted Drea(0-1),Geoff Brennan,Daniel O Connor,Robert Dunne,Sean Carey(0-8,0-2fs),Adrian Nolan.
Sub:Shane Nolan for Ted Drea 47mins.
Referee: Eamonn Larkin (James Stephens)