Stuart Trainor drives Caulry to county final victory

Radisson Blu Hotel Westmeath U-17 Division 2 FC final

Caulry 2-6 Killucan 3-7

Like father, like son. That ancient phrase could well be applied to last Saturday’s Westmeath U17 Division 2 football final at Rochfortbridge, in which Andrew Stuart Trainor inspired Caulry to victory over Killucan.

The midfielder/full-forward scored 2-3 on the day and his father, Tom, an All-Ireland medal winner with Westmeath’s minors in 1995, managed the side to victory. An intriguing backdrop that may be, but it doesn’t tell the full story of Caulry’s fine success as they had to produce a strong team effort to fend off a resurgent Killucan side, in wet and windy conditions.

Caulry were leading at half-time on a 1-9 to 1-6 scoreline, having played against the wind in the first half, and they seemed in a commanding position at that stage. But two second-half goals gave Killucan a dramatic lead after 41 minutes.

Caulry equalised and ‘keeper Conor Hynes produced a remarkable save from the game’s second penalty to deny Killucan their fourth goal before an unanswered 1-4 ensured victory.

Afterwards, Ollie Baker had the honour of presenting the cup to his son, Tadhg, captain of the victorious Caulry side and their strong travelling support were in ecstatic mood as they celebrated a significant victory.

After Caulry took the lead through an Aaron Murphy point, the unmarked Shane Monaghan goaled to put Killucan ahead. However, Caulry took control when Stuart Trainor surged forward to find the net in the fourth minute and they were three points clear after Aindriú Lynam fired over, following a slick move.

Caulry maintained that advantage until the impressive Conor Leech and Cormac McKeogh shot a brace of Killucan minors. A quality Oisín Shortall point, followed by Murphy’s converted free had the Mount Temple side three clear again.

That trend continued in the remainder of the first half with Leech’s injury-time free narrowing the gap before a late Murphy point ensured Caulry of a three-point advantage at the interval. They almost had a second goal at the death, but Stuart Trainor was denied by opposing ‘keeper, Ciaran Kavanagh.

Moving the ball at pace proved an effective ploy against the wind and Killucan were rewarded when Leech earned and converted a penalty seven minutes after the restart to level the match.

Caulry found a quick reply as Shortall (free) and Aaron Murphy shot over points, but then a goal of the fortuitous variety put Killucan ahead for the first time as Cormac McKeough’s shot was fumbled by Hynes, ending up in the net.

Shortall’s free levelled matters on 43 minutes and a compelling final quarter ensued, with Hynes certainly atoning for that earlier error when he denied Leech with a brilliant save from the game’s second penalty (awarded for a foot block on Jayden Hill) in the 49th minute.

Caulry weathered the storm, showing resilience before Stuart Trainor fisted a point in the 54th minute to put them ahead again (1-13 to 3-6).

Now leading the attack having been switched from midfield, Stuart Trainor became the pivotal figure and he scored two points (the second a classy effort with the left boot) to put four between the sides by the 57th minute.

He then raced on to a through ball, getting there ahead of the advancing Kavanagh before booting the ball, left-footed, along the ground to an empty net. That put seven points between the sides and Leech’s pointed free could offer no more than consolation for a gritty Killucan outfit.

An interesting stat was Caulry’s impressive return of 2-13 from play, as opposed to 2-4 by Killucan. That was certainly a major factor and they seemed to always carry a greater scoring threat in the tricky playing conditions.

Player of the match: Andrew Stuart Trainor (Caulry). His impressive return of 2-3 proved decisive on the day and gives him the edge over the likes of Oisín Shortall and Tadhg Baker.

SCORERS – Caulry: A Stuart Trainor 2-3, A Murphy 0-5 (1f), O Shortall 0-5 (2f), A Lynam, B Kelly McCormack and D Byrnes 0-1 each. Killucan: S Monaghan 1-1, C Leech 1-4 (1-0pen, 0-3f), Cormac McKeogh 1-1, J Hill 0-1.

Caulry: Conor Hynes; Eoin McCormack, Cormac Murphy, Dean Martin; Cody Parker, Tadhg Baker, Brendan Kelly McCormack; Tiarnan O’Donovan, Andrew Stuart Trainor; Oisín Shortall, Lee Corcoran, Dean Byrnes; Aindriú Lynam, Aaron Murphy, Kyle Rainey. Sub: Rory Hatton for Lynam (53 mins).

Killucan: Ciaran Kavanagh; Ryan Murphy, Adam Smyth, Sean Magee; Oisín Flanagan, Aaron Flanagan, Cormac McKeogh; Calum McKeogh, Joseph Mulvaney; Winston Larkin McHugh, Cian Weir, Eoin Brady; Jayden Hill, Conor Leech, Shane Monaghan. Subs: Joe Darby for Flanagan (36 mins), Mikey Duffy for Magee (37), Shane O’Donnell for McHugh (53), Adam Smith for Mulvaney (57), Caolan Ready for Monaghan (60).

Referee: Ken Daly.