Magic men Murphy and Monaghan inspire Claremorris win
Claremorris, U14 B champions. Picture: Mayo GAA
The curtain-raising game on an epic week of U14 finals at MacHale Park last Monday evening was neck and neck until a Jack Monaghan and David Murphy-led purple patch towards the end of the first half for Claremorris put Ballaghaderreen firmly in their rear-view mirror.
In the second half, Darragh McCormack would wrap up a hat-trick and make victory a certainty for the Blue and White despite a valiant effort by Ballagh’.
In many ways, this was a remarkable comeback for Claremorris who found themselves seven-points down early doors. Although Jack Monaghan scored the first of the nine goals this game would see after just a minute and Jack Cassidy added a point, Ballaghaderreen went on a scoring rampage for the next 10 minutes.
Daithí Finn popped over a free kickout before a brilliant move saw James Moynihan score an equalizing goal. Richie Conway found Odhran Conway out wide; he cut in and played a ball across goal and although keeper Rueben Charles got a hand to it, it came loose to Moynihan to tap in.
They added two goals in the next two minutes. Odhran Conway struck first, finishing soccer-style after Claremorris failed to clear under heavy pressure. Then Moynihan added his second on a counter-attack expertly led by Finn. Finn played several 1-2’s on his march upfield and Moynihan got on the very end. Moynihan nearly made it a hat-trick but had to settle for laying it off to Odhran Conway, who fired over a point.
Despite the early setback, Claremorris dug deep and soon found themselves level. David Murphy struck the first of his seven points from play, scooping up a low pass from Jack Monaghan, cutting inside and firing over amid a sea of Ballagh’ jerseys. Murphy then struck from his distance but the shot fell short and Darragh McCormack added instinctively to tap in from close range. Claremorris replicated this scoring pattern as Murphy added another point and McCormack another goal to edge Claremorris ahead.
Odhran Conway leveled the game but this would be Ballaghaderreen’s second last score for the remainder of the game as Claremorris broke away. Before half time, Jack Monaghan would score four points, including two frees and Murphy another two points to put them six ahead at the break. Much credit is due to Conor Higgins too; the corner back made a last ditch block to stop Richie Conway hitting the back of the net when Ballaghaderreen launched a quickfire counter.
Murphy picked up where he left off, firing over three more points at the start of the second half. Darragh McCormack also made it a hat-trick, tapping in Jack Monaghan’s deflected shot. After 43 minutes, Claremorris added their fifth goal through Ethan Grehan. They would add additional points through Monaghan, Jamie Brennan and Kyle Gleeson before the end.
Ballaghaderreen added a goal and to their credit, were left frustrated going forwards. Odhran Conway’s shot was excellently saved by Rueben Charles and Richie Conway hit the post. They finally broke through on the 50 minute mark when Ryan McGahon hit the back of the net but Claremorris were already well out of sight.
