Semi-final of James Hobbert Minor Town Championship 2011
John Mitchels 0-18 Austin Stacks 1-12 (a.e.t).
Saturday afternoon in Boherbue, saw an excellent and exciting minor match played between two certain teams for the future, mainly John Mitchels’ and our own Rockies, in the semi-final of Town Championship. The outright winners receive ‘The James Hobbert Cup’ (which we currently hold), and I’m sure, James ( R.I.P.) would have enjoyed and have been proud to be associated with a match of this calibre. Considering all the rain recently, the field was in decent condition, for the end of October. Personally, I believe this tournament, should be played off earlier in the year, maybe over a long weekend or back to back on fine summer evenings, as this time of year can be hard to field minor teams, with older minors now in college.
The Stacks team for this match, had only 1 player in his last year as a minor, Alan Crean at center-back, the remaining 14 plus 2 subs are all under age again next season and indeed approx 8 are minor for the next 2 seasons. Mitchels’ also fielded a team with many of their players under age again next season, so sure to be many close matches between these lads for the future. Our team lined out as follows; Shane Begley, Paul Galvin, Barry Walsh, Conor Jordan, Tommy McLoughlin, Alan Crean and Ciarán O’Connell, midfield Shane Crowley(capt) and Shane Walsh, Alan Duggan, Greg Horan, Kyle Fitzgibbon, Breandán Caball, Danny Carroll and Éamon McAllen. A special thank you to both our subs who took us out of a jam, Anthony Moynihan and Brian Horgan.
Mitchels’ opened the scoring in the 1st minute with a point from play, this was followed in the 3rd by another point from play. The resulting kick out was won by Shane Crowley who found Greg, Greg played it to Danny who found Ciaran O’Connell, 35 yards out on the left, Ciaran pointed well with the assisting wind. It was end to end stuff but alas we didn’t convert any of our possession, where as, Mitchels’ added 7 more points, all from play in the 8th,15th,17th,20th, 23rd, 25th and 27th minutes. Mitchels’ led by 9pts to 1pt at half time, an 8 point difference, but not a true reflection of the contest. The difference between the two sides at the half was that Mitchels’ had taken all their opportunities while we didn’t make the most of ours. I think the lads were shocked and a bit nervous at how well they were actually playing, even though the score board didn’t reflect it. Kevin and Peter who were aided on the side line by Martin Collins, all had words of wisdom for our troops at half time and fair dues to the lads themselves, the heads never dropped or the word lose never came into the half time conversation. With 30 minutes of football left, we were still in this match.
We were forced to replace Shane Begley in goals at half time due to landing awkwardly on his neck in the 1st half, making a fine save. Anthony Moynihan obliged as we waited for Brian Horgan to arrive. A good start to the 2nd half and as early as the 3rd minute, Shane Walsh made a fine run from midfield before being fouled 20 yards out, Greg put the resulting free between the posts Mitchels’ responded with a point in the 35th minute, again from play. The next 12 minutes was totally dominated by a never say die attitude from the Rock lads, who in this time added 1-03 without reply. Greg Horan was showing to everyone present, just why he has been recently introduced to next seasons Kerry minor panel, even though he is still under 16. Greg scored 2 points from play in the 38th and 40th, this was followed in the 44th by a pointed free from 28 yards out, on the left hand wing. Then in the 47th minute Shane Walsh got on the end of a high ball in, to finish to the net, GAME ON NOW! 1-05 to 10pts and 12 minutes left. Mitchels responded with a point from play, this was answered with yet another point from play by Greg. Mitchels’ pointed a free in the 52nd to put 3 between the sides again, a frantic last 8 minutes was guaranteed, with either side not giving an inch. A quick thinking Conor Jordan, found Eamon McAllen with a fast free, Eamon carried and was unlucky to see his well struck shot just rise over the bar. 55th minute and a fine run by Conor, was unlucky not to be rewarded, just brushing wide from an acute angle. Two minutes later and a fine run out of defence by Tommy Mc Loughlin finished with a well taken point from play. 3 minutes left and 1 point down, up stepped that man again, Greg Horan, to cap his man of the match performance with his 6th point of the half, to level the match deservedly at full time, 1-09 to 12 points.
Being so late in the year, it was decided between the ref and both sets of mentors to play 10 minutes each-way of extra time. All due respect to Mitchels’, they responded swiftly, scoring 6 points in the 1st half of extra time, 4 from play, 1 x free and the highlight, a superbly pointed 45′ from the boot of Niall Sheehy, one I’m sure his grand-dad and father would have been proud of. We had 3 shots on goal in this half with Ciaran’s shot just breezing wide, while Eamons’ was cleared of the line and another shot was also cleared off the Mitchels goal line. Just a point from play by Shane Walsh is all we had to show in this half. Backs to the wall again, 5 down and 10 minutes to be played. At this stage, Danny Carroll was replaced by Anthony Moynihan, Danny was only having his 1st game back from serious injury and I’m sure it won’t be long till Danny will be dominating defences again, Danny has also been called into the Kerry minor squad for next saeson. The Stacks lads tried their socks off in the 2nd half of extra time, chasing and following every ball and never giving up. A quickly taken 45′ by Greg to Shane Crowley, saw Shanes long range effort float over the crossbar, this was swiftly followed by Gregs 7th point of the match, another free. 3 points down with 3 minutes left, alas this was the final score of this superb match, with victory going to Mitchels’ on a score line of 18 points to 1-12.
A BIG thank you to a lovely bunch of young lads to deal with all year, THANKS from Kevin, Seanie, William and Peter. Very much looking forward to watching most of you performing for the Rock at the highest level over the coming years, and indeed I’m sure some of you will do the Green ‘n’ Gold proud in the years to come!!! Thanks also to Martin Collins who was always on hand to help out at games, and thanks to all the supporters throughout the year.
Austin Stacks Minor Team 2011 (photo by Adrienne Mc Loughlin)