Newcastle crowned county U15C champions with defeat of Commercials

County U15C Football Championship Final

Newcastle 2-11

Clonmel Commercials 2-7

By Mark Dunne

Leon Johnson's two goals at the beginning of the second half were the deciding factor in this spirited and evenly contested County U15C Football decider played in the scenic home of the Fr Sheehy’s club last Friday evening. 

Both sides deserve huge credit for the sporting manner of this County Final. Warm conditions made the game a battle of fitness to the end. Newcastle’s brace of scores at the beginning of the second half gave them the platform to victory much to the delight of their supporters. 

Commercials were quickest out of the blocks in the opening half and found themselves two points to the good after three minutes with Diarmuid Brennan and Patrick Lawless pointing. 

Two attacking teams was always going to produce exciting football, and that’s what we were treated to. Newcastle bounced back with the next three scores to take the lead on ten minutes; Patrick O’Keeffe, Sam O’Donnell and Zach Cullinan all getting their name on the scoreboard. 

O’Donnell had a wonderful chance to push them four in front but his super kick was eventually caught by the breeze and out wide. Cian Ryan tagged back one for Commercials before his counterpart Callum Hackett had a wonderful chance for a goal, but his shot rattled the post. 

Newcastle were now beginning to dominate proceedings, particularly in the middle third of the pitch with Hackett and Cullinan putting them two points in front in the 25th minute. 

Tom Grace pulled one back for his side following good patient build-up play. Indeed Commercials should have taken the lead on 28 minutes when Diarmuid Brennan's shot was superbly saved by Fitzgerald in the Newcastle goal. 

This chance buoyed the Clonmel side and they eventually did strike for the game’s opening goal with Noel Meehan eventually getting the better of Fitzgerald. 1-04 to 0-05. Commercials finished strong with Patrick Lawless’ darting run through the heart of the Newcastle defence to roof the ball home just on the half-time whistle to give his side a 2-4 to 0-5 lead at the break. 

Momentum now clearly with the Clonmel side, Newcastle were going to need a big half of football to claim victory. Leon Johnson received that memo and inside the opening minute of the half had pointed to reduce the gap to five. 

Johnson was beginning to cause Commercials the world of problems and he found himself on the end of a ball across the square to punch home passed Freddie Wall in the Commercials goal. Momentum now changing direction! Patrick Lawless steadied things for his side, pointing a fine score on 35 minutes. 

Newcastle though pushed hard once again and it was Johnson who gave them the lead on 36 minutes. A darting run from the 45 metre line, saw him strike low to the ground and pass Wall in the Clonmel goals.

Newcastle now one to the good. Aidan Gaffey levelled proceedings shortly afterwards before Josef Podzimek had a superb chance for goal only for it to hit the post once again and bounce out.

Both sides traded scores with Cullinan and Grace pointing before Newcastle kicked on. The remaining ten minutes were all Newcastle on the scoreboard but Commercials to their credit fought hard. 

Johnson, Cullinan, Hackett and Costello all raised white flags in the closing stage of the encounter to see their side run out 2-11 to 2-7 winners and take home the U15C Football trophy for 2024.

Joint captains Joe Goonan and Patrick O’Keeffe received the U15C Trophy from County BNG Chairman PJ Bowden and Secretary Ann Fleming. 

Newcastle: Cathán Fitzgerald, Faolán Fitzgerald, Joe Goonan, Dara O’Loughlin, Sam MacDonnell (0-1f), Cathal Butler, Sam Cullinan, Zach Cullinan (0-4), Conall Condon, Patrick O’Keeffe (0-1), Daithí Goonan, Leon Johnson (2-2), Dayle Hyland, Callum Hackett (0-2), Daniel Costello (0-1), James Williams.

Clonmel Commercials: Freddie Wall, Nathan Eubadoloyl, Sebastian Hopkins, Cillian O’Reilly, Jack O’Dwyer, Tom Dunphy, Jude McGarry, Josef Podzimek, Patrick Lawless (1-2), Diarmuid Brennan (0-1), Conor Corcoran, Noah Meehan (1-00), Shay Houlihan, Cian Ryan (0-1), Tom Grace (0-2), Aidan Gaffey (0-1), Archie Beckett, Riley Lacey.

Referee: Declan Hickey (Skeheenarinky)