Thurles boys deliver as Durlas Óg capture County football honours
Durlas Óg defeated Killenaule in the U14A Football final last Thursday
County U14A Football Championship Final
Dúrlas Óg 3-6
Killenaule 1-7
The newly revamped Mary Immaculate College, St Patrick’s Campus in Thurles, was the novel venue for this year’s U14 A County Football Final between Dúrlas Óg and Killenaule. Two-time All-Ireland football final referee Paddy Russell was the man with the whistle in what was an enthralling encounter from start to finish.
Both clubs had come through strong challenges on their way to the final, the Thurles boys having navigated Loughmore Castleiney, JK Brackens and Newport to reach the decider.
The South contingent topped their group before defeating Ardfinnan in the semi-final, Clonmel Commercials in the South Final and last year’s U13 A champions Cappawhite in the County Semi-Final.
This match was always going to be a battle to the finish, and so it turned out, the scoreboard not fully reflective of the intensity and closeness of the contest.
Dúrlas Óg got off to a quick start and had a wide from Noah Sweeney and a point from full-forward scoring machine Cillian Murphy inside the opening two minutes.
Within another two minutes, Murphy had the ball in the back of the Killenaule net after great work from the midfield and half-forward lines. Dúrlas Óg also had another wide during this period from Daniil Meinychuk, the rampaging wing-back who only joined the club last year following his family’s move from Ukraine.
Killenaule settled with a point from play by the brilliant Cillian Fitzgerald, who was a thorn in the side of the Thurles boys all day with his strong running and excellent handling.
Killenaule grew into the game, with Fitzgerald, James Kennedy and Cooper Cleary coming strongly into it, but they struggled to convert their chances, recording three wides in a five-minute spell.
Dúrlas Óg twisted the knife further when centre-forward Frank Mockler broke through the heart of the Killenaule defence and scrambled a goal to the net, leaving the score 2-1 to 0-0 in favour of Thurles.
Killenaule did not drop their heads and raced back up the field to force a fantastic save from Dúrlas Óg goalkeeper Joey Stapleton after fifteen minutes, whose heroics had helped them reach the final.
It was end-to-end for the next few minutes, with some needless frees conceded by the Thurles boys and, on the nineteenth-minute mark, full-forward Charlie Cleary buried a goal for Killenaule, giving Stapleton no chance this time.
Dúrlas Óg responded immediately as wing-forward Conor Guinan buried a brilliant goal into the top corner of Liam Leahy’s net. Conor’s Killenaule grandparents, watching on, no doubt experienced mixed emotions.
Killenaule dusted themselves down and, within five minutes, had registered two excellent scores from midfielder James Kennedy, one of which was parried over by the ever-alert Stapleton. Just before half-time, Cillian Murphy notched another point for Thurles following good work by corner-forwards Danny Ely O’Dowd and Mark Barrett, leaving the interval score at 3-02 to 1-03.
The second half started as the sun began to settle on the old Seminary building in Thurles, but it was the Thurles men who struck first, with Mark Barrett sweeping over a left-footed effort under severe pressure from the Killenaule defence to put six points between the teams.
It was the tenth minute before Killenaule registered their next score, with Charlie Cleary stepping up once again.
The Killenaule pressure began to build, and Thurles full-back Adam McLoughlin picked up a yellow card from Paddy Russell, though thankfully, there would be no repeat of Charlie Redmond’s famous red card from years ago. Kyle Holohan converted the resulting free to leave four points between the sides.
Thurles went back on the attack and, after a wide from Mark Barrett, a point from Conor Guinan eased the pressure on their backs, who were performing outstandingly well, especially young Evan Burke, who had replaced the injured Daniel O’Grady just before half-time.
Cillian Murphy struck again for his third point on 17 minutes and eased the tension around the college field for the Thurles supporters in attendance.
Mason Butler quickly followed with another point, the midfielder and joint captain having another fine game alongside fellow midfield dynamo Daithí Dunne, who ran himself into the ground over the hour.
Killenaule kept coming, showing tremendous heart and determination, and were rewarded with two points from substitute Harry Hayes Ryan, one from a free and one from play.
The Dúrlas Óg defence soaked up huge pressure and, with Cathal Walsh, Shea Fogarty and Adam McLoughlin, had some serious warriors battling the Killenaule attack throughout. Unfortunately for Killenaule, those scores would prove to be their last in a pulsating County Final.
As the game wound down, the industrious Shea Mockler replaced Conor Guinan as injury time beckoned. The final whistle sounded with Dúrlas Óg victorious on a scoreline of 3-06 to 1-07, sparking jubilant scenes among players, management and supporters.
This particular group of players have often been the bridesmaids, with some having lost six Mid finals before this year.
That is a lot of heartbreak for players so young, but they have shown great resolve and an appetite for hard work since David Dunne took the reins earlier this year. Joint captains Shea Fogarty and Mason Butler proudly accepted the cup on behalf of their teammates from County Bord na nÓg Chairman PJ Bowden.
A special mention must go to the management of Mary Immaculate College, who granted the use of the field to the County Board for the match. It was in incredible condition and a fitting venue for a County Final. Well done to all concerned.
Dúrlas Óg: Joey Stapleton; Bob Stakelum, Noah Sweeney, Cathal Walsh; Adam McLoughlin, Shea Fogarty, Daniil Meinychuk; Mason Butler, Daithi Dunne; Daniel O’Grady, Frank Mockler, Conor Guinan; Danny Ely O’Down, Mark Barrett, Cillian Murphy.
Subs used: Evan Burke for D O’Grady; D O’Grady for D Ely O’Dowd; S Mockler for C Guinan.
Killenaule: Liam Leahy; Sam Blake, Rian McLoughlin, Jamie Hannigan; Conor Shelly, Jamie Skehan, Odhrán McLoughlin; James Kennedy, Cooper Cleary; Kyle Holohan, Cillian Fitzgerald, Jack Fogarty; Cian O’Connor, Charlie Cleary, Leon O’Brien.
Subs used: Harry Hayes Ryan.
Referee: Paddy Russell (Emly)