Goals key as Gallen CS outclass Boyne CS to claim North Leinster title

Gallen CS, Ferbane produced a clinical, skilful, and composed display to see off Boyne CS  and win the school's first North Leinster Senior title since 2018.

North Leinster Senior Football “D” final

GALLEN CS, FERBANE 4-9
BOYNE CS, TRIM 0-9

The final took place in a well-appointed Navan O'Mahony's ground on Saturday February 12 last.

The Gallen lads deserve a lot of credit as this game was in essence a home game for the Meath lads.

The game was played in a commendable spirit throughout and in the  end it was the Ferbane  school's ability to get the key scores at key times , notably two goals in either half that turned the tide in their favour.

Gallen are a very young side for this age grade with only two of their starting fifteen being in sixth  year so this makes the winning achievement even more noteworthy.

The first fifteen minutes of the game was quite evenly matched with Boyne CS   aided by points from full  forward  sharpshooter Sean mc Donnell helping them to establish a 0-4 to 0-3 lead . Slowly but surely, by dint of getting a solid grip at midfield through  Sean Flannery and Conor Grennan, the Gallen lads ensured a regular supply of ball into their full forward line where Ronan Flynn and Conor Dunican were proving unmarkable.

Gallen's first goal arrived after 19 minutes when some lovely interplay saw Conor Beirne bury a shot to the Boyne net. Ronan Flynn added two points as did Conor Dunican before Ronan Flynn  skilfully  rounded the keeper to score a goal three   minutes from half time. This period where the Gallen lads blitzed the Boyne lads for 2-4 without reply to leave the half time score Gallen CS 2-8   Boyne CS 0-4 was in essence the winning of the game.

Boyne backed by a big wind would have expected to come back into the  game but it was to the Gallen lads' credit that they did not let this happen. The Ferbane lads' unrelenting work rate on and off the ball ensured a Boyne comeback wouldn't materialise. A notable statistic in that second half was despite playing against the strong wind , Gallen scored 2-1 to Boyne's 0-5. The Gallen lads were composed on the ball , used it well and competed ferociously for breaking ball.

Gallen got their third goal when Ronan Flynn slotted home a penalty after Conor Dunican was fouled [3-9 to 0-6]. Boyne replied with a point before Gallen applied the coup de grace when Ronan Flynn crossed for Conor Dunican to palm home goal number four  leaving the score  Gallen CS 4-9 Boyne CS 0-7.

Gallen then closed out the game before referee Sean Carroll blew the final whistle to leave the Gallen CS lads victorious on a 4-9 to 0-9 margin.

Fergal Bracken was excellent in goal with one particularly vital save   at a vital juncture of the second half. His kickouts were lengthy and found their targets. In defence Mark Wren kept tabs on Sean Mc Donnell whilst Donal Flynn , Saran Flynn and Eoghan Grennan played their parts =. Patrick Taaffe was a commanding presence at centre back =. Sean Flannery and Conor Grennan gave Gallen a vital platform at midfield which provided a readymade supply of ball to the Gallen forwards .

Brian Carroll had an excellent game and Luke Coleman and Dylan Daly foraged hard . Matthew Darcy did a lot of the  unseen graft  in  ensuring a good supply of ball for Gallen's inside finishers. Ronan Flynn [2-4] , Conor Dunican [1-5] and Conor Beirne [1-0] were Gallen's scoring heroes.

The occasion concluded with the presentation of the North Leinster trophy to Mark Wren who gave a very fitting captain's speech to the jubilant  Ferbane contingent.

Gallen go on to represent North Leinster in the Leinster series  under the guidance of team mentors  =Joe Maher =, John Doyle and Robert Joyce .

THE SCORERS

Gallen CS: Ronan Flynn  2-4 [ 1p , 2f] Conor Dunican 1-5 , Conor Beirne 1-0.

Boyne CS:  Sean Mc Donnell 0-5 [2f] , Jack Conneely , Darragh Loughrey , Sean Og Tiernan and Eoghan Ryan 0-1.

 THE TEAMS

GALLEN CS - Fergal Bracken, Saran Flynn, Mark Wren, Donal Flynn, Luke Coleman , Patrick Taaffe, Dylan Daly, Conor Grennan, Sean Flannery, Brian Carroll, Matthew Darcy , Eoghan Grennan, Conor Dunican, Ronan Flynn, Conor Beirne. Subs David Dunican, Ruairi O'Neill, Oisin Carroll, Fiachra Anderson, Michael Spillane, Dylan Moore, Sean Carroll, James Buckley, James McEvoy, Jamie Probin, Eoin Tighe, Luke Kelly.

BOYNE CS -  Martin Forde, Mark McGowan, Cormac Doyle, Rory Fagan, Caelum Casserly, Brian O'Halloran , Tadhg Dowd, Conor Sheridan, Eoghan Ryan, James Gray , Tadhg Carty, Sean Og Tiernan, Darragh Loughrey, Sean McDonnell and Cealain Geraghty.

REFEREE-  Sean Carroll [ Westmeath]