St Eunan's hold off Four Masters fightback to seal U-15 Division 1 success

St Eunan’s came through an epic County U-15 Division 1 final against Four Masters at Pearse Park.

St Eunan’s 1-11 Four Masters 1-9

Just two points divided the sides at the finish after Four Masters, who were wind-assisted in the second half, stormed back into the game after being six points down at half-time.

But in the end in a frantic finish and with their backs to the wall St Eunan’s held on for the win.

There was little between the sides early on Evan Daly from a ‘45 and Conor Griffin from play traded points. But though playing with the strong wind in their backs 15 minutes had passed before Padraig Murphy registered the game’s second point.

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That was at the end of the first quarter. And the black and ambers added two more points to lead by three before Conall Flannery raised Masters second white flag.

Flannery after a great run through the heart of the St Eunan’s rearguard split the St Eunan’s posts. That was on 22 minutes but it was to be the Masters last point of the opening half.

St Eunan’s kicked on after that and Odhran Ryan (3), Padraig Murphy and Danny McKinney reeled off points for a 0-8 to 0-2, half-time lead.

Thomas Leneghan got the second half off to the perfect start with a cracking goal two minutes into the second half. And when Geithin Mosby quickly added a point St Eunan’s lead was back to two points, 0-8 to 1-3.

Temple Akpo showed the forwards how it is done with a St Eunan’s point. And the boys from O’Donnell Park were breathing a little easier shortly after when Danny McKinney palmed a Finn Nolan cross to the Four Masters net.

Nolan did well to hold onto possession as he cut in along the endline before he laid the ball on for McKinney.

St Eunan’s led 1-9 to 1-3, with 37 minutes on the clock. But Four Masters have not become the underage force they have without a fight. Thomas Carr posted three quick fire points and Conor Griffin added another to reduce the St Eunan’s lead to three points, with 12 minutes remaining.

And with the Masters going down with their boots on Carr added two more points to one from Evan Hickey as the clock ticked into injury time. And in a frenetic finish with Four Masters going for goals St Eunan’s held on with Bradley Boyle saving St Eunan’s bacon in the dying seconds.
Boyle cleared the ball off the line to the sound of Robbie O’Donnell’s final whistle.

St Eunan’s scorers: Odhran Ryan 0-4,2f, Danny McKinley 1-1 Padraig Murphy 0-2, Evan Daly 0-1,’45, Temple Akopu, Davin Kelly, Evan Hickey 0-1 each.
Four Masters scorerss: Thomas Carr 0-6,3f, Thomas Leneghan 1-0, Conal Flannery 0-2, Conor Griffin, Geithin Mosby 0-1 each.

St Eunan's: Daniel McClafferty; Temple Akpo, Rohan McMenamin, Senan Gallagher; Conall Herron, Jack Robinson, Harry Shields; Davin Kelly, Evan Daly; Danny McKinley, Odhran Ryan, Evan Hickey; Evan Duffy, Padraig Murphy, Finn Nolan.
Sub; Ryan Browne for E Duffy (63).

Four Masters: Lewis McCalmont; Eoghan Thomas, Ethan McCrea, Odhran McMullan; Thomas Healy, Oisin Ebbs, Jack McGroarty; Tomas Carr, Conor Griffin; Jamie McMonagle, Thomas Lenehan, Rory Doherty; Conal Flannery, Gethin Mosby, Alex McMullin. Subs: Thomas MdHugh for A McMullan, Sean Sweeney and Fintan James for O McMullan and J McGroarty (57).