East Cork U21 B Football Championship Final in Ahavine on Sunday 3rd December

Carrigtwohill  2.07

Castlemartyr  0.06

The U21 footballers travelled to Fr. O’Neill’s GAA Club on a cold but calm December Sunday morning, with Castlemartyr making the short journey to Ahavine.  The match was played on the new pitch, which was in fantastic condition for the time of the year.

Daniel Murnane raised the first white flag of the game in the second minute.  Seán Brennan and Cian O’Riordan (who both covered loads of ground in the game) worked the ball well out of the defence and when Murnane was fouled, his angled and lofted free kick glanced in off the far upright to open the scoring.  A scoreless five minute spell followed, as the teams settled into the game.  Daniel Murnane then kicked a fantastic effort on the turn from about 40 metres.  Ahavine converted a free in the 12th minute to make it a one point game.  Two minutes later, Seán Walsh’s attempted kick for a point was half-blocked; the ball bounced into the path of Joel Joseph and he kicked low into the net for the game’s first goal.  Castlemartyr repled with another converted free to make it 1-02 to 0-02 midway through the half.

Castlemartyr notched a further free.  David Joseph fed the ball to Alex Kidney but his shot on goal was well saved by the Castlemartyr goalkeeper.  This was followed by a spell of poor shooting from the Carrig team before Castlemartyr kicked two good points to level matters in the 30th minute.  Murnane slotted over another point in added time to give Carrigtwohill a slender lead (1-03 to 0-05) at the break.

Immediately after the restart, Carrig attacked with Patrick Walsh squaring the ball to brother Seán; Walsh kicked a good point from in front of the goal.  Castlemartyr pointed on 36 mins.  A long spell followed with both teams unable to convert scoring chances, with the Castlemartyr keeper pulling off another good save from a David Joseph goal attempt.  In the 49th minute, Daniel Murnane played the ball through to his namesake, Daniel Nolan.  Nolan finished superbly to the back of the net with a low angled kick off his trusty left boot.  This was a vital score in the game and put Carrigtwohill four points (2-04 to 0-06) clear.

After another David Joseph kick was blocked by the impressive Castlemartyr goalkeeper, Murnane slotted the ball over the bar.  He followed that with a free from a very tight angle to put Carrig six points ahead (2-06 to 0-06) on 51 minutes.  Carrig defended well in the closing stages of the game, well marshalled by very solid and assured goalkeeper, Adam Rooney, full-back, Neil Coughlan and centre back (and captain), Seán de Búrca.  On the stroke of full time, Daniel Murnane played a ‘one-two’ with Ben Allen and kicked his sixth point of the match to top off a super individual display.

Well done to the panel and management on getting the job done and winning the club’s first U21 football championship title in 16 years.  The defence was very dependable and well organised throughout.  Although there was some poor shooting further up the field at times, the workrate was great with vital scores coming during the second half to put the result beyond doubt.  Credit must go to Castlemartyr for their contribution to a sporting and honest game of football.

Chairperson of the East Cork Board, Avril Geary presented the Jack Murphy cup to Carrigtwohill captain, Seán de Búrca.  Avril thanked Fr. O’Neill’s GAA Club for hosting the match.  She said that it was great to see U21 competitions back again.  Seán thanked the referee for doing a good job and letting the game flow.  He also thanked Castlemartyr for the game and expressed the gratitude of the players towards their coaches/selectors.  In particular, Seán acknowledged the contribution of Clive Cremen towards football in the club for the last number of years.

Sincere thanks to club chairperson, Caroline Dixey who missed the match so as to have soup and sandwiches ready for the team when they returned to the clubhouse after the game.

Carrigtwohill Team: Adam Rooney; Seán Ahern, Neil Coughlan, Matthew Barrett; Daniel Nolan (1-0), Seán de Búrca (captain), Seán Brennan; Cian O’Riordan, Seán Walsh (0-1); Patrick Walsh, Daniel Murnane (0-6; 0-2f), Joel Joseph (1-0); Justin Oke, Alex Kidney, David Joseph.  Subs Used: Mark O’Connor, Ben Allen, George McCarthy, Daragh Hannigan.  Other Subs: Adam Walsh, Liam Scriven, Jack Barrett.  Injured: Cillian Barry, Success Aregbesola.

Management: Aidan O’Donnell (manager), Tom O’Brien, Clive Cremen, Tomás Hogan & Aidan Flanagan.  Physio/Medical: JJ Wall.

Referee: Anthony O’Regan (Youghal).