Goals are key as Bonniconlon hold off island boys
Bonniconlon, U16 E county champions. Picture: Mayo GAA
The old adage that goals win games was proven true yet again last Thursday evening as three second-half majors from Bonniconlon saw them crowned U16 ‘E’ champions. That, however, did not tell the full story.
Achill saw not one but three chances to find the net in the first-half go astray while another opportunity in the second-half, one that would have put them in front, passed them by. Achill had fourteen converted scores to Bonniconlon’s ten, but the inability to find goals was ultimately their undoing.
It was Bonniconlon who started the brightest in miserable weather conditions in Castlebar as Ronan Gallagher kicked three points in the opening five minutes. James Glacken had a goal chance to extend the lead further but his effort went wide of the post.
Achill responded with three of their own as the lively Cathal and Fintan Deasey opened their accounts as well as Teddy McNamara. Corner-forward Daniel Calvey also could have found the net soccer style but his shot was palmed away, and the resulting ’45 from Matthew Kilbane almost caught out Bonni’ goalkeeper Chistopher Sweeney, but Kilbane’s strike came back off the crossbar.
John Connaghan put Achill in front for the first time on 22 minutes with a great effort on the turn. Cathal Deasey and Daniel Calvey spurned further goal chances for Achill while Bonniconlon’s Jack O’Connor also saw a chance go wide.
Ronan Gallagher levelled the game as additional time approached. Fintan Deasey edged Achill back in front but James Igoe ensured it would be a level game, 0-5 apiece, at half-time.
There was no long wait for a goal in the second-half as Calum Durcan thundered a low shot from 20 metres out past Tiernan Moyles and into the net on 33 minutes.
Charlie Carolan and Teddy McNamara, a free, got Achill back to within one point but a golden chance to finally net a major of their own eluded them on 38 minutes. Daniel Calvey and Josh Connaghan chased a hopeful ball down and it was Connaghan who reached it first. His strike beat Christopher Sweeney but cannoned back off the post.
Calum Durcan, a free, and Cathal Deasey traded points before Bonni’ scored a second goal on 42 minutes. In an unfortunate moment for Achill goalkeeper Tiernan Moyles, Ronan Gallagher’s strike bounced awkwardly in front of him and skidded into the net. A third goal followed on 49 minutes as Gallagher netted a second and Achill’s race appeared ran.
A Calum Durcan free made it 3-7 to 0-10 with seven minutes of normal time remaining but Achill fought until the bitter end. Josh Connaghan’s point, two from Cathal Deasey and one from Fintan Deasey set up a grandstand finish but Bonniconlon kept the goal safe to ensure the county title went north.
