A truly great county minor final saw Erin’s Own (Castlecomer ) inspired by the exceptional Conor Fogarty, complete the intermediate/minor double as they defeated Dicksboro in an absorbing contest.
Fogarty started at midfield but when switched to centre-back, he produced one of the greatest individual displays ever witnessed in a minor final.
He totally dominated centre-back, as the majority of Erin’s Own scores came from his involvement.
The county minor centre-back roused his colleagues to raise their performance levels significantly, as he led by example with a thundering display.
His man-marking and work-ethic were exemplary as he constantly drove the ‘Comer men on the attack.
He scored a mighty long-range free from almost 110 yards out from the country goal late in the first-half, while also striking two massive frees into the breeze.
Intermediate corner-back Aidan Moran was simply wonderful during the second-half as he linked up relentlessly between defence and attack.
Moran was a massive influence when switched to midfield while also aiding his defensive colleagues to restrict the threat of the Dicksboro attack.
Michael Dwyer scored 0-3 from play and was a powerhouse who also aided his defensive colleagues, while the tight-marking Larry Carroll, team captain Thomas Keating, the tigerish Ciaran McDermott and goalscorer Stephen Dally, all led the ‘Comer charge to land their second minor title (previously successful in 1987 ).
Dicksboro only scored 0-3 from play as they were well held by a strongly built defence led by Fogarty & co.
David Glynn, Gary Gaule, and centre-back Danny Kenny all performed gallantly, while 16-year-old Cillian Buckley was a livewire.
However, only Oisin Walsh from frees and Brian Dollard in the first-half, made any meaningful impact in attack, as the remaining forwards struggled.
A low scoring first-half saw the sides level at 0-5 each.
Andrew Ring’s 5th minute point from play was the only score registered during the opening quarter.
Oisin Walsh equalised with a pointed free in the 17th minute, before Ring (free ) and Cillian Buckley exchanged scores-0-2 each.
A Brian Dollard point edged the ‘Boro ahead in the 22nd minute, before Michael Dwyer dispossessed Jamie Lynch to restore parity- 0-3 each.
Oisin and Ollie Walsh added pointed frees from Conor Fogarty and Andrew Ring which levelled matters at the interval- 0-5 each
A long-range free from Fogarty following the restart led to an Andrew Ring point before Oisin Walsh quickly pointed a free-0-6 each.
The golden moment came in the 36th minute when a massive free from Fogarty was struck to perfection as Stephen Daly grabbed possession in open space.
The 16-year-old student raced through before striking a low shot past Philip Byrne- 1-6 to 0-6.
Conor Fogarty added to the tally when he struck a magnificent free from 70 metres. 1-7 to 0-7.
Cillian Buckley replied with a fine individual score, but Fogarty was on fire and he struck a superb long-distance free near the sideline on the halfway line in the 43rd minute as the ‘Comer men maintained their one goal lead. 1-8 to 0-8.
The ‘Boro men rallied and two Oisin Walsh frees narrowed the deficit, but couldn’t draw level despite enjoying a fair share of possession.
Ollie Walsh had a shot well saved by Donal Meally, while substitute Sean Tyrell shot wide unmarked in front of goal.
Michael Dwyer added consecutive points, with the latter effort a truly great score.
Conor Fogarty once more was the instigator, as his long delivery found Anthony Kavanagh, and after he was well hooked, Dwyer eventually found space to strike over a rallying point.
Oisin Walsh(free ) + Stephen Daly exchanged points late on as a determined Erin’s Own defence held firm for a deserved minor title.
Man of the Match: Conor Fogarty. (Erin’s Own ).
Teams:
Erin’s Own: Eoin Meally, Larry Carroll, Thomas Keating(captain ), Padraig Keating, Declan Dunne, Aidan Moran, Jerry Callinan, Pierce Dargan, Ciaran McDermott,
Andrew Ring(0-4 0-2 frees ) Conor Fogarty(0-3 all frees ), Michael Dwyer(0-3 ), Stephen Daly(1-1 ), Sean Brennan, Anthony Kavanagh. Subs: Cillian Brennan + Mark O’Neill.
Dicksboro: Philip Byrne, Jamie Lynch, David Glynn, Gary Gaule, Peter Nolan, Danny Kenny, Kevin Nolan, Cillian Buckley(0-3 0-1 ’65 ), Enda Malone (captain ) Brian Fitzpatrick, Oisin Walsh (0-6 all frees ), Brian Dollard(0-1 ), Ollie Walsh(0-1 free ), Michael Cotter, Darragh Buggy. Subs: Sean Tyrell, Cian Tynan.
Referee: John Walsh(Rower-Inistioge )
