Ard’ work sees joy for the ‘Moy boys
Michael McKenzie, on behalf of the North Mayo GAA Board, presenting the U16 'B' Cup to the joint captains of Ardmoy, Ross Gallagher and Declan Moran.
On a wet and windy Thursday evening in Bofeenaun, the unfavourable weather conditions didn’t prevent the young men of Ardmoy and Naomh Padraig from producing an entertaining spectacle for all those in attendance for the final of the North Mayo U16 ‘B’ championship.
Naomh Padraig (Ballycastle, Killala, Kilfian and Lacken) started quick with three unanswered points. James Adams showed great pace before cutting inside to finish, Finn Roche pointed after a tidy dummy solo and Conor Tomas powered through the middle to raise a white flag. Conor Carey replied for Ardmoy (Ardagh and Moygownagh) with their first point, converting a free on nine minutes following a fine solo run from midfielder Adam Sweeney.
Roche added his second point, this time from a free, before Naomh Padraig had their first of four first-half goal chances. Evan O’Malley provided a fine close range save between the Ardmoy posts and his forwards then added a quick couple of singles through Carey’s second and Ross Gallagher.
Cealán Loughney and Roche re-established Naomh Padraig’s three points lead before Roche forced another fine save from O’Malley. Again Gallagher responded for Ardmoy, adding the finish to a quick counterattack following a great interception from Jack Rooney.
James Adams replicated his first point, pointing after a sharp cut in onto his left foot, but this was either side of a couple of goal chances for his side. Alexander Smyth saw his shot narrowly miss the top left corner and Roche hit the post from a free. However, instead of rueing their missed chances, Naomh Padraig stretched their lead to five with the last kick of the half as Roche converted a two point free.
The action resumed with Naomh Padraig’s misfortune in front of goal continuing as they saw another couple of chances go a begging in as many minutes. Once again O’Malley stood firm between the posts before Eamon Kelly saw his fisted attempt rebound back off the post. Cillian McGee, however, did add a point for Naomh Padraig before Ardmoy responded with a couple courtesy of Carey and Gallagher. Roche was at hand once again to dispatch a free for Naomh Padraig to reestablish their five points lead but this was moments before his side was reduced to twelve men. An off the ball scuffle in the Naomh Padraig goalmouth saw a couple of yellows dished out along with a red card for the Naomh Padraig goalkeeper.
Moments later the first green flag of the game was raised. Conor Carey’s shot from distance dipped in under the crossbar to bring the contest back to two points. Roche and Carey once again exchanged points before Carey hit the net for a second time. A slick move involving Adam Sweeney and Declan Moran was finished off by the on-target centre-forward, sliding the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. After playing provider Moran found the net himself, rising highest to punch the ball into the back of the net after Carey’s attempted free hit the crossbar and rebounded back into the square.
With a couple of minutes left, Naomh Padraig’s day in front of goal was summed up as they saw a penalty effort narrowly miss the target. It was to be Ardmoy’s day as the young men from Ardagh and Moygownagh were the victors by four points.
Scorers – Ardmoy: Conor Carey 2-0-4 (0-4f), Declan Moran 1-0-0, Ross Gallagher 0-0-3.
Naomh Padraig: Finn Roche 0-1-5 (1tpf, 4f), James Adams 0-0-2, Conor Tomas, Cillian McGee and Céalan Loughney 0-0-1 each.
Ardmoy: Evan O’Malley; Eoin Staunton, Joe O’Boyle; Shane Murphy, Geoff Hurst, Jack Rooney; Adam Sweeney, Darragh Moore; Evan Carey, Conor Carey, Ross Gallagher; Rory Blaine, Declan Moran. Sub: Kieran Gough (for O’Boyle).
Naomh Padraig: James Brisson; Leon Early, Noah Lynn; John Maughan, Finn Roche, Johnny Lynn; Céalan Loughney, Alexander Smyth; Conor Tomas, Jack Barrett, Cillian McGee; James Adams, Eamon Kelly. Subs: Mathew Carroll (for Kelly), Michael Farrell (for Adams).
REF: Sean Tolan (Bonniconlon)
