Arravale Rovers show their quality to easily dispatch a gallant Cappawhite in U17 final

West U17A Football Championship Final

Arravale Rovers 4-16

Cappawhite Gaels 3-5

By Michael McCarthy

Arravale Rovers claimed their first West U17 football title on Sunday with a 14-point win over Cappawhite Gaels in New Inn. It was a comfortable victory for the Tipp Town side in the end but they didn't have it all their own way, especially in the first half.

The Cappawhite Gaels side took the game to their opponents from the start and after three minutes saw Darragh O'Hora in on goal, he was being chased down by the Arravale Rovers players and as he cut inside the 14 was unceremoniously brought down for a penalty.

He dusted himself off and dispatched the spot kick to Aaron O'Halloran's right-hand side in the Arravale goal. Arravale Rovers started to settle down after this and had the majority of possession for the next ten minutes in which they scored six unanswered points.

Centre forward Sean O'Mahony was at the forefront scoring three points, and two excellent efforts from play off his left foot. Busy corner forward Ciarán Kelly would get two and former Gaels player Evan Ryan with the other.

However, they rested on their laurels and let Cappa Gaels back into the game and the next ten minutes were a purple patch for the combo side. Darragh O'Hora had a major say in the game and would go on to score 1-03 in the period and Faolán Doyle added another point.

This put the Gaels side into a four-point lead as half-time was approaching. Luke Walsh steadied Arravale's nerves with a point before full forward Shane Quigley managed to squeeze a shot between the Cappawhite's keeper and the post for an important score for Arravale. Midfielder Evan Ryan rounded out the scoring to send the town side in a point-to-good at half time 1-8 to 2-4.

The first half was a scare for the favourites and they were a different side in the second half. The impressive Adam Ryan and Shane Quigley had points from play inside the opening two minutes and this was followed up with by an Adam Ryan goal on five minutes.

Ciarán Kelly kicked two good frees, with a James Carey point sandwiched between them and when Quigley helped himself to a well-worked goal on eight minutes the lead stretched to 12 points and Cappawhite Gaels looked dejected. To their credit, they stayed at their task with Tommy Costello, Jack Ryan and Cathal Martin doing their best to stem the tide.

Their cause wasn't helped when they were reduced to fourteen following an unsavoury incident around the middle of the field. The cause wasn't helped by input from the sideline on both sides either. After a stern talking to the game was restarted and

Brian Buckley stole in for a great goal, gathering around the '45 and finishing cooly to the corner of the net. Faolán Doyle scored his second of the game to reduce the deficit to eight.

Brian Buckley was fouled going through and his quick free just went wide of the post, Cathal Martin made a good run and was found by an excellent through ball and instead of punching he chose to catch and tried to get a shot away but was smothered by the retreating defence and the ball went out for a '45.

This seemed to stifle the Cappawhite comeback and the final ten minutes belonged to Arravale Rovers who scored another 1-3 and indeed hit the post twice in the period also when it seemed easier to score. Shane Quigley got his second goal and Arravales fourth to round out the game.

Apart from the first three minutes and the ten-minute spell between the 17th and 27th minutes Arravale were much the better side and in reality, Cappawhite Gaels can have no complaints.

Darragh O'Hora was excellent all through in trying circumstances while Tommy Costello was his industrious best around the middle. Michael English has moments at centre-back while youngsters Jack Ryan and Cathal Martin tried their hardest to stem the tide.

They were always on the backfoot though, with O'Hora the only danger man up front. The Arravale Rovers side had stars all over the pitch and county minors Sean O'Mahony, Shane Quigley, Sean Lewis, Adam Ryan and David Ryan were standout performers. Evan Ryan was also impressive around the middle of the field. The defence was rarely tested but they stood up to the majority of what Cappawhite Gaels could throw at them.

Both teams now go through to the county quarter-finals where they will meet south opposition.

Arravale Rovers: Aaron O'Halloran; Darragh Bresnan, Alan Delaney, Alex Webster; Michael Bowes, Sean Lewis, Brendan Delaney; Adam Ryan (1-1), Evan Ryan (0-2); David Ryan, Sean O'Mahony (0-3), Luke Walsh (0-1); James Carey (0-1), Shane Quigley (2-2), Ciarán Kelly (1-5, 0-3f).

Cappawhite Gaels: Josh Fahey; Mikey Barry, John O'Donnell, Jack Ryan; Cathal Martin, Michael English, Sean Hayes; Tommy Costello, Faolán Doyle; Sean O'Shea, Darragh O'Hora, Brian Buckley; Conor McCarthy, Joe Cotter, James Barry.

Subs used: John Kelly; Ciaran Downey; Tomas Moloney; Jonathan Ryan.

Referee: Paul Carew (Lattin Cullen)