PARK HOTEL WESTERN UNDER 20 C FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
ARDMORE END THE YEAR ON A HIGH
ARDMORE 1-14 DUNGARVAN 3-6
After a disappointing year at adult level in which Ardmore lost their status in both hurling and football, the seaside club finished 2021 on a high note in winning the Division 4 minor football championship some weeks back and now taking the Western C under 21 football title at the expense of Dungarvan in Bushy Park last Sunday morning.
Ardmore’s positive start to the game was the key here as they led by 1-6 to 0-0 after 14 minutes. Team captain Ciaran Keating accounted for three of these points from play with excellent free taker Jamie Brien kicking the other 0-3 over the bar in style. Ardmore’s goal was well deserved for their early dominance and it was well taken by Cian Gleeson in the 10th minute.
Just when it looked as if Dungarvan would go in scoreless at the first waterbreak, David Flynn latched on to a loose ball in front of the Ardmore goal and finished it to the net.
The unexpected happened on the restart , with Dungarvan enjoying a real purple patch, they were ahead by 3-2 to 1-6 with 21 minutes on the clock. Two quick goals by Conor Coward and Eoin Buenaventura level proceedings and when the same two players followed up with minor scores, the game had been turned on its head. Another goal attempt by Conor Coward hit the butt of the upright before Ardmore steadied themselves and indiscipline by the Blues defence gave away two pointed frees to Jamie Bryan with Ciaran Keating firing over his fourth score of the game. Half time score : Ardmore 1-9 Dungarvan 3-2.
SECOND HALF
Ardmore won the second half by 0-5 to 0-4 in a well contested and competitive moiety. Jamie Brennan was on the mark once again with a brace of pointed frees either side of a score from play by Dungarvan sub Kyle Healy.
Trailing by 0-2 at 1-11 to 3-3, Dungarvan levelled for the second time via minors per Conor Coward and Eoin Callaghan(f). An eighth Bryan pointed free gave Ardmore the lead at the water break by 1-12 to 3-5.
Kyle Healy levelled for the third and final occasion in the 48th minute while at the other end with the goalie beaten, Blues defender Lorcan McGovern cleared a Harry O Leary goal effort off the line at the convent end of the grounds.
The story of the rest of the game was that Ardmore took some of the scoring opportunities that came their way and Dungarvan didn’t. Ciaran Keating and Gerry Reardon were on target for the winners while a number of Dungarvan attacks produced no further visits to the scoreboard.
Ardmore’s bright start to the final and Dungarvan’s poor finishing at the end decided the destination of the Park Hotel shield, the pity is that there is no opposition down East for Ardmore in a County final.
PRESENTATION
Vice chair of the Western Board, Pa Lyons, presented the winning shield to the victorious Ardmore captain Ciaran Keating surrounded by their happy group of supporters.
Ardmore’s Top Three : Jamie Bryan, Ciaran Keating, Harry O Leary.
Dungarvan’s Top Three : Conor Coward, Eoin Buenaventuora, Sam Dalton.
Observer’s Man of the Match : Jamie Bryan.
Number of Scorers : Ardmore : 4. Dungarvan : 5.
Scores From Play : Ardmore : 1-6. Dungarvan : 3-5.
Frees For : Ardmore : 13. Dungarvan : 15.
Wides : Ardmore : 2. Dungarvan : 2.
Score of the Match : Conor Coaward’s 42nd minute point from play for Dungarvan.
Scorers : Ardmore : Jamie Bryan 0-8f, Ciaran Keating 0-5, Cian Gleeson 1-0, Gerry Reardon 0-1.
Dungarvan : Conor Coward 1-2, Eoin Buenaventuora 1-1, David Flynn 1-0, Kyle Healy 0-2, Eoin O Callaghan 0-1f.
Team Panels :
Ardmore : Joe McNamara, Brian Walsh, Conor Power, Fintan Geaney,Oisin O Dwyer, Adam Hayden, Eddie Flavin, Michael Coakley, Harry O Leary, Gerry Reardon, Ciaran Keating, Gerry Bryan, Patrick Reardon, Cian Gleeson, Diarmuid Geaney, David Carlton, Robert Quinn.
Dungarvan : Tadhg Murray, Lorcan McGovern, Sam Dalton, Mark McGarry, Oisin Morrissey,Tristan Loftus, Johnny Burke , Gabriel McGovern, Gavin Christopher, Eoin O Callaghan, Conor Coward, David Flynn, Eoin Buenaventuora, Kyle Healy, Kevin Crotty, Kevin Collins, Michael Burke.
Referee : Tommy Sullivan(Affane/ Cappoquin).
