Longford GAA: Super Shannon Gaels U-14s bridge 40 year gap

Shannon Gaels…. 3-13 Clonguish Óg…. 1-6

By Blaithin Mulvihill

Shannon Gaels won their first Under 14 ‘A’ Football Champions title since 1986 when they cruised to victory over Clonguish Óg in the county final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday .

They say “Hunger is the best sauce” and on Saturday last the U-14 footballers from Lanesboro were starving for success.

Possessing a powerful midfield diamond comprising the outstanding Donncha Farrell at centre-half-back, midfielders Tom Hession and Seán Hogan and centre -half-forward Andrew Nolan, they simply overpowered Clonguish Óg and ran out convincing winners to claim the club's first major silverware at this grade in forty years.

Up front the lively Darragh Shanley was a constant thorn in the Clonguish side and he was ably assisted by Cian Shea and Finn Fallon and the hardworking duo of Matthew Murphy and Niall Morgan.

A resolute Shannon Gaels defence in which David Kenny and Tyler Murray along with Farrell formed a formidable half-back-line and with Luke McDonnell, Patrick Casey, Senan McHale and the last line of defence Adrians Danilovs, the foundations for this latest triumph were laid in adding to the U-16 ‘A’ Championship title that was won the previous weekend.

Clonguish Óg battled bravely to the end and had strong performances from Devin Barry, Matthew Coloumb, Donnacha Nolan, Ronan O’Malley, Jack McVeigh, goalkeeper David Duda and captain Robert Flynn but they eventually succumbed to the powerful dominance of the shannonsiders.

While it was Clonguish Óg who opened the scoring with a free from Jack McVeigh in the 2nd minute, this would be their first and only time to lead in the match. Minutes later Shannon Gaels full forward Darragh Shanley was upended in the square. The resultant penalty duly dispatched by Shanley to the Clonguish net gave his side a lead they would never relinquish.

Points followed from Andrew Nolan (0-2), Darragh Shanley (2 frees) and Cian Shea put Shannon Gaels up by six after 24 minutes.

Two Jack McVeigh pointed frees and a final point from Shannon Gaels Finn Fallon saw the first half close with Shannon Gaels leading 1-6 to 0-3.

On the resumption it was again the Lanesboro lads who established their authority early on with points from Finn Fallon, Tom Hession, Cian Shea and a free from Darragh Shanley to put them 10 points clear after 38 minutes.

Clonguish Óg staged a mini revival with Robert Flynn scoring a brilliant point before wing forward Devin Barry blasted home a great goal to give the Newtownforbes lads some brief hope.

This hope was short-lived, as moments later Andrew Nolan found the back of the Clonguish net, ending any chance of a Clonguish comeback as the game entered its final quarter.

Two points from Devin Barry in the 46th and 61st minutes would be the only scores for Clonguish in this period as Shannon Gaels controlled the remainder of the game. Andrew Nolan (0-1), Matthew Murphy (1-1) and Darragh Shanley (1 free) steered the Lanesboro club to a tremendous 13 point victory.

For joint captains David Kenny and Tom Hession it was a very proud day to lift the Paddy Doris Cup and round off what has been a fantastic year for the underage footballers of Rathcline. 2026 is a year these young south Longford footballers will never forget.

Shannon Gaels: Adrians Danilovs, Luke McDonnell, Patrick Casey, Senan McHale, David Kenny, Donncha Farrell, Tyler Murray, Tom Hession (0-1), Seán Hogan, Matthew Murphy (1-1), Andrew Nolan (1-3), Niall Morgan, Cian Shea (0-2), Darragh Shanley (1-4, penalty, 4 frees), Finn Fallon (0-2).

Subs: Malachy Martin for S McHale (57 mins), Joe Greally for N Morgan (57 mins), Ben Cassidy for A Danilovs (59 mins), Mark Hession for C Shea (60 mins), Jay Hanley for F Fallon (60 mins).

Clonguish Óg: David Duda, Conor McKeon, Cian Burke, Adam Beirne, Domas Kedavicius, Donnacha Nolan, Dylan Reynolds, Robert Flynn (0-1), Ronan O’ Malley, Devin Barry (1-2), Matthew Coloumb, Conor Donlon, Harry Smyth, Jack McVeigh (0-3, 3 frees), Garbhan McCormack

Subs: Fionn Hurson for H Smyth (20 mins), Donnacha Murphy for G McCormack (half-time), Morgan Hickey Farrell for F Hurson (half-time), Fionn McVeigh for M Columb (57 mins), Oliver Shepherd for C McKeon (60 mins).

Referee: Gerard Egan (Granard St Mary’s).