ST. MARY’S/SEAN FINN’S GAA (RATHKEALE) TOPPLE FEALE RANGERS IN U21 WEST FOOTBALL FINAL CRACKER

This game previously fixed for Feenagh GAA Grounds was switched to Tourna-fulla at short notice due to the heavy rain last week. The management, Donal Donavan, Damien Wilmott and Brian Duggan, had prepared the young Deelside team well and brought out the best in our lads.

The game was fast and furious from the opening moments, and the large crowd of supporters watched an entertaining game. The sides were level on a total of five occasions which created great excitement for players and spectators alike. Robert White gave another commanding performance in goal and was ably assis-ted by Shane Hourigan, Frank Geary, Dean Maune, Darren Jones and Patrick Sheahan who worked tirelessly in defence. Sean Sheahan was magnificent as he worked the centre with Jack Coleman and the exuberant Paul White.

From Sean Finn’s view-point the teamwork shown was the key to success. We had a total of seven players who scored on the day despite being marked so well by the Feale Rangers team.

The game opened with the first three points for Sean Finn’s, Anthony Supple, Eoghan O’Connor and Stephen Power. The opposition quickly levelled the game with a goal followed by a point. Sean Sheahan pointed to bring us back on level terms and the highly skilful Eoin O’Donnell scored another. Feale Rangers levelled again and then a free from Eoghan O’Connor was cancelled out by another point for the Rangers. As the first half came to a close we had points from Stephen Power, a pointed free from Eoghan O’Con-nor and another point from Anthony Supple. Our lead was quickly taken from us by a point followed by a goal for Feale Rangers. The half-time score read 0-9 for Sean Finn’s while Feale Rangers had scored 2-4.

The second half was even more exciting with Patrick Delee of Feale Rangers scoring a lovely point from play, bringing their lead to two points. This was the last time they led as Sean Finn’s really got their momentum going. The next four scores were for the Deelside men with a pointed free from Eoghan O’Connor, and from play a point from Sean White and then a goal and a point from Eoghan O’Connor. With our four point advantage the opposition pointed a free which Marty Roche cancelled out with a lovely point from play. The Rangers scored another point from play before the youthful Marty Roche goaled for us. The excitement was massive, with a six point lead and six minutes remaining but the Feale Rangers team were not finished and raised the temperature in the final moments with a pointed free followed by a third goal. The scoreboard at full-time showed a two-point lead with 2-13 for Sean Finn’s while Feale Rangers had 3-8. What a game!

The supporters were as overjoyed as the players as Gerry Molyneaux, representing the West Board, presented the Woulfe U21 Trophy to our captain Eoghan O’Connor. Referee Michael Mann and his officials were thanked, as were Tournafulla GAA for the use of the grounds. Eoghan also thanked our team management as well as his team-mates and the Feale Rangers team. Three rousing cheers were raised for the losing side. The local bar generously provided sandwiches for the teams and supporters. Sean Hartnett also presented a Man of the Match award to our captain Eoghan O’Connor.