In front of a very large attendance, Southern Gaels defeated Delvin in Páirc Chiaráin Athloen to win the inaugural U13 Division 2 League final.
Playing with a gale force wind Delvin took an early lead scoring two goals, but the Gaels battled hard with excellent defending by Eoghan Joyce, Tom O’Keeffe and Daniel Nugent with Sam Meegan in goals they kept Delvin at bay. A brilliant point from Oisin O’Connor plus goals by Dara Geary and Odhran Mitchell left the score 2-1 to 2-7 at half time.
Playing with the wind in the second half the Gaels were up for the tough battle ahead. With Cian Cahill and Adam O’Brien supplying good ball into the forwards from midfield, Fiachra Feeney scored two well taken points. In addition, frees and a 65s by Dara Geary narrowed the gap and then a crucial goal by Dara put the Gaels into the lead for the first time.
Delvin pushed hard for a goal but great defending by Conleth Feeney, Padraig O’Neill, Eoghan Hardiman and some excellent saves by Ryan Cunningham kept Delvin to a single point in the second half.
The Gaels ran out winners by four points on a score of 3-9 to 2-8. This was a wonderful team performance from numbers one to 23 with each player contributing to the league win over the nine matches.
After the game Kevin Jordan, Westmeath Minor Board Secretary presented the trophy to captain Dara Geary and his team mates. Afterwards the team retired to the clubhouse for well-deserved treats and celebrations with friends and family. The team now look forward to the upcoming championship, starting on Wednesday, June 29.
Team - Sam Megan, Cillian Lee, Daniel Nugent, Eoghan Joyce, Padraig O’Neill, Adam O’Brien, Tom O’Keeffe, Cian Cahill, Oisin O’Connor (1-0 ), Eoin Whelan, Ódhran Mitchell (1-1 ), Dara Geary (1-6 ), Ryan Cunningham, Thomas Herron, Conleth Feeney, Fiachra Feeney (0-2 ), Shane Cahill, Eoghan Hardiman, Ciaran O’Sullivan, Senan Kelly, Daniel Crosbie.
Missing - Nathan Quigley, Aodhán Fallon.
