Boys Under-15 2020 Shield Final

Post date: Jun 21, 2021 8:27:13 PM

WESTERN GAELS 3-16 THE DOWNS 4-15 (AET)

Western Gaels (Garrycastle, Tang/Maryland) U15 Panel of 2020 put in an absolutely fantastic display of guts, determination, skill and heart when they just came up short against a very strong Downs side. The game started off a tight affair with a breakaway goal from the Downs being the difference for the opening exchanges before heading to the water break. However, The Downs then took control of the game during the 2nd part of the first half and used a strong breeze to their advantage to pull away, leading 0-4 to 2-6 at half time.

Western however came out in the second half with fire in their bellies and began chipping away at the 8 point lead. Excellent scores by Diarmuid Murtagh, Andrew Henson (sub), Aaron Keegan (sub) helped to bring Western Gaels right back into the contest. Some solid displays at the back from Tom Daly, Killian Redmond and Anthony Mannion helped to keep The Downs at bay, while the direct running and support play from Jack Mulvihill, David Carter and Brian Mulvihill caused plenty of problems for The Downs, leading to numerous frees being slotted over by the sharp shooting Aaron Keegan and Diarmuid Murtagh. Some wonderful fielding and ground work by Jake Hanniffy and Oisín Nugent helped to keep the pressure on the Downs and suddenly Western Gaels had levelled the game coming into injury time. Western Gaels could have won it then at the death, only for an excellent long range free from Diarmuid Murtagh to come back off the top of the post and eventually fall wide.

The breeze again had an impact in extra time as The Downs took control of the game and found the net along with some well taken points to go 7 points up at half time of extra time. But Western Gaels managed to find a way back into the match with Oisín Nugent finding the net to finish off a well worked move. Three more points then followed to bring it back to a 1 point game coming into the last few minutes of extra time. The Downs managed to find a security point to stretch their lead to 2 points. But once again Western Gaels never gave up and drove forward in the last attack of the game in search of a winner. However, it wasn’t to be in the end, despite a tremendous effort from every player on the pitch that day, Western Gael’s final attack somehow managed to be cleared off the line by The Downs defenders and the full time whistle blew.

Western Gaels can take great pride in a magnificent display from each and every player. Our U15’s and U17’s panels can now look forward with great belief and confidence in their quest to go a step further in this year's championship.

Western Gaels Team - Conn O’Hara, Alessandro Bellassai, Tom Daly, Killian Redmond, Killian Keegan, David Carter, Anthony Mannion, Brian Mulvihill, Jack Mulvihill, David Marlow, Seán O’Donoghue, Keelan Bloom, Nathan McKeon, Matthew O’Connor, Jake Hanniffy Subs - Diarmuid Murtagh, Oisín Nugent, Andrew Henson, Aaron Keegan, Colm Seery, Oisín Mulvihill