Shannon Gaels U-16 ‘A’ champions for the first time since 1971

The Shannon Gaels squad celebrate their U-16 ‘A’ title triumph (Pearse Daly Cup) at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

placeholder image — The Shannon Gaels squad celebrate their U-16 ‘A’ title triumph (Pearse Daly Cup) at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

Matt O’Brien Fashions U-16 ‘A’ Football Championship Final

Shannon Gaels . . . 6-10 St Vincent’s . . . 1-10

Shannon Gaels won the U-16 ‘A’’ Football Championship title for the first time since 1971 when they cruised to a comprehensive win over St Vincent’s in the county final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday.

Powered by the man of the match Shane Farrell at midfield, the Lanesboro club built up a commanding 3-5 to 0-5 lead at the break with the crucial goals coming from Oisin Dillon (7th minute), Sajad Hameed (17th minute) and Darragh Shanley (29th minute).

Whatever hopes the Drumlish/Ballinamuck side had of staging a comeback on the changeover were dashed as superior Shannon Gaels scored two more goals through Shanley and Hameed in the early stages of the second half.

St Vincent’s (minus the suspended Luke Donnelly) were fighting a losing battle and their perseverance was rewarded with a cracking consolation goal from Tyler Noble in the 36th minute.

There was just no stopping the Shannonsiders who capped a most impressive display with the prominent Josh Curran scoring the sixth goal in the 56th minute.

SHANNON GAELS: Jack Cassidy; Adam Greally, Darragh Donlon, Patrick Casey; Tom Hession, Alfie Murphy, Tyler Murray; Shane Farrell, Ethan Donnellan; Josh Curran (1-3, 1 free), Andrew Nolan, Tim Kenny (0-3); Darragh Shanley (2-0), Sajad Hameed (2-0), Oisin Dillon (1-4, 2 frees).

Subs:- Hayden Smith for S Hameed (55 mins); Luke O’Halloran for D Hanley (55 mins); Stephen Farrell for J Curran (stoppage time), David Kenny for T Hession (stoppage time); Matthew Murphy for P Casey (stoppage time).

ST VINCENT’S: Conor Prunty; Ryan Connolly, Patrick McKenna, Daniel Smith; Niall Dolan, Donnacha McKeon, Robert Mulleady; Oisin Kiernan, Sam Davis; Cian Lawlor (0-2, 1 free), Darragh Murphy, Ciaran McKeon; Tyler Noble (1-1), Darragh McKeon (0-6, all frees), Fionn McCormack Crowe.

Subs:- James Hilton (0-1) for N Dolan (41 mins); Jack Smith for S Davis (55 mins); Cillian Davis for R Connolly (stoppage time); Dara McGahern for D McKeon (stoppage time).

Referee: Patrick Cahill (Carrickedmond). Excellent job.