Ennis goal seals county final victory for St Mary's

St Mary's, Rochfortbridge 2-12, Lilliput Gaels 2-6

St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge overcame a half-time deficit to win the Westmeath U-20 Division Two football title at Hogan Park Moate on Saturday, December 21.

Lilliput Gaels (a combination of St Malachy’s, Ballinagore and Loughnavalley) enjoyed a two-point lead at the break but just three further scores in the second half saw their challenge fade as they lost out by six points at the finish.

Although leading at half-time, Lilliput Gaels will still back with some regret on their opening-half display as they fired wide on seven occasions. A stiff crossfield breeze could have been a factor but Rochfortbridge still enjoyed a greater success rate from the chances they created.

St Mary’s had raced into a four-point lead within the first eleven minutes but added just one further score in the rest of the half. Jack Carroll opened the scoring for the ‘Bridge after four minutes with Shane Cully doubling the lead with another point after ten minutes.

There was a goal on for Liam Carey moments later but he settled for a point as St Mary’s took control early on. A second point from Jack Carroll left St Mary’s four points ahead after the first quarter with Lilliput yet to score.

The Gaels finally opened their account after 18 minutes when Adam Cassidy fired over a free, but the Saints restored their four-point lead after 24 minutes with a point from Nathan Hall. It proved to be their last score of the half though as Lilliput soon overturned the lead and headed off for the break in front.

All the scores came in the last five minutes of the half. Cathal Elliffe left a goal between the teams when successful with a free kick after 27 minutes. On the stroke of half-time the lead was further reduced, when following consultation among the match officials, a Philip Reynolds effort was flagged as having gone between the posts.

There was further drama in stoppage time as Lilliput scored the first goal of the final and then completed the half with a point. A poor kickout from St Mary’s was exploited as Shane Corcoran dashed in to raise the first green flag.

The first-half scoring was completed in the second additional minute when Reynolds popped over a point when a goal appeared on to leave Lilliput leading by 1-4 to 0-5 at half-time. Had Reynolds raised a green flag, it might have put a different complexion on the second half.

The damage to the Gaels was done early in the second period when they failed to score for the first twelve minutes as St Mary’s, in contrast, scored 1-3 without reply. A mounting wide total that eventually reached double figures also proved costly for the eventual losers.

The ‘Bridge boys reduced the deficit to the bare minimum when Carey fisted the ball over the bar. The sides were level four minutes into the second half through a Jack Carroll point as Carey then fired Damien Gavin’s team ahead with a free on 39 minutes.

St Mary’s struck for their first goal two minutes later when good approach work was rewarded with Kevin Corrigan raising the green flag. It left St Mary’s four points in front as their good restart was rewarded but the lead was soon reduced to just a single point.

The combination team’s first score of the half proved to be a major one as Corcoran again found the net to revive the Gaels’ fortunes. The teams were again level midway through the half when Reynolds pointed to leave it 2-5 to 1-8 heading into the last quarter.

However, the Gaels’ challenge faded in this period as they only added one more point to their tally. A Carey free kick on 48 minutes edged the ‘Bridge back in front but Lilliput again drew level with a Corcoran point.

St Mary’s took control of the contest in the last ten minutes as Lilliput faded after failing to add to Corcoran’s score. Another Cully point restored the Saints’ lead with a Carey free then putting two between the teams.

The impetus for the Rochfortbridge side’s victory came after 58 minutes when the green flag was raised for a second time. It was an inspirational score as Kian Ennis burst through to fire a shot to the roof of the net past the helpless goalkeeper and put St Mary’s into a winning position. There was no response from Lilliput who now needed a miracle and the scoring was completed on the stroke of full-time when Jack Carroll popped over a point to leave St Mary’s winners on a 1-12 to 2-6 scoreline.

After the game, Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall presented the shield to St Mary’s captain Darragh Hall.

SCORERS - St Mary’s: L Carey 0-5 (0-2 frees); J Carroll 0-4; K Corrigan and K Ennis 1-0 each; S Cully 0-2; N Hall 0-1. Lilliput Gaels: S Corcoran 2-1; P Reynolds 0-3; A Cassidy 0-1 (f); C Elliffe 0-1 (f).

St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge: Darragh Weblin; Danny Hyland, Kian Ennis, Darragh Fagan; Kevin Corrigan, Tiernan Fallon, Nathan Hall; Tiernan Jessop, Pierce Fox; Shane Cully, Darragh Hall, Finian Carroll; Aaron Scott, Liam Carey, Jack Carroll. Subs: Dylan Jessop and Jason Gavin for F Carroll and Scott (36 mins); Sean Corrigan for Fagan (55).

Lilliput Gaels: Rory Quinn; Jack Gannon, Odhran Gavigan, Cillian Jackson; Sean Jackson, David Maloney, Shane Doran; Aaron Jackson, Peter Murphy; Shane Corcoran, Philip Reynolds, Dylan Corrigan; Adam Cassidy, Cathal Elliffe, Niall Claffey. Subs: Shane Maloney for Claffey (38 mins); Conor Maloney for S Jackson (58); Adam Clarke for Reynolds (60).

Referee: Niall Ward (Garrycastle).