Shannonbridge get away in second half to claim cup prize
Kilclonfert fall away after bright first half
A VERY worthwhile competition to fill the vacuum for Offaly junior football only clubs between the league and championship, Shannonbridge got away from Kilclonfert in the second half to claim the prize, the Bill Healy Junior Football Cup in O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Thursday evening.
Tullamore Court Hotel Bill Healy Junior Football Cup Final
Shannonbridge 1-15
Kilclonfert 2-5
The newest addition to the Offaly GAA calendar and just a couple of years in existence, the Junior Football Club has been embraced by the small group of clubs eligible to compete in it and Offaly GAA have added to its attraction by giving it an O'Connor Park setting for the final.
After a low scoring very evenly matched first half, Shannonbridge showed a clean pair of heels to Kilclonfert in the second half, winning quite comfortably in the wind up.
An eight point haul from the best player on the pitch, Jack Darcy was instrumental to Shannonbridge's win. Darcy was in flying form and his tally included three frees and two two pointers. Kilclonfert couldn't cope with him when both sides had to go after the game in the second half and Shannonbridge were worthy winners.
The cup is named for Bill Healy, a long time Doon GAA and County Board activist who was a selector on the Offaly team that won the All-Ireland U21 football title in 1988.
The final was played between two very proud clubs with long but very similar traditions. Shannonbridge won a famous Senior Football Championship in 1996 while Kilclonfert have never got higher than the intermediate grade. Both clubs have had long decades out of existence but have been flying the flag continuously since the 1970s and both have struggled in modern times, with numbers a major issue.
Shannonbridge have been close to winning the junior championship in recent years while Kilclonfert are desperate for any green shoots and they gave it everything they had in the first half. Scores were hard earned with a free from one of the most experienced players on the field, Mark Mangan, the only point in the first 13 minutes.
Kilclonfert's defensive work was excellent in the first half and Shannonbridge's first point came from Ciaran Mannion. Three minutes later in the 16th minute, Ronan Devery gave Shannonbridge the lead with a great goal but Kilclonfert responded superbly.
Former Daingean player Paul O'Rourke converted a free for them and then blasted home an excellent goal after a Niall Spillane pass.
Kilclonfert led by 1-4 to 1-2 at half time and a Paul O'Rourke penalty goal straight after the restart after Geoffrey Scally was fouled extended their lead to five points. That looked a big lead in a game where scores were hard earned but Kilclonfert were only to add one more point, a Paul O'Rourke free, and couldn't cope once Shannonbridge opened up full throttle.
Shannonbridge became increasingly dominant after that goal and quick points from Bryan Rohan and Charlie Gilson (two) had the gap back to two, 2-4 to 1-5.
Paul O'Rourke put Kilclonfert a goal ahead but Shannonbridge were the better team from here on as an edge developed with Kilclonfert's Colm Brazil and Shannonbridge's Christian Brazil getting late red cards.
A Matthew Darcy point and Jack Darcy two pointer had Shannonbridge on level terms by the 48th minute as Kilclonfert went into the red. Ciaran Mannion put Shannonbridge ahead, Jack Darcy extended the lead to three with his second two pointer, the outcome was inevitable from here on and Shannonbridge put the issue to doubt with some fine late scores.
Shannonbridge: Jack Darcy 0-8 (2x 2p, 0-3 Frees), Ronan Devery 1-0, Charlie Gilson 0-2, Ciaran Mannion 0-2 (0-1 Free), Matthew Darcy 0-2, Bryan Rohan 0-1 (Free).
Kilclonfert: Mark Mangan 0-1 (Free), Paul O’Rourke 2-3 (1-0 Penalty, 0-2 Frees), Jack Gowran 0-1.
THE TEAMS
SHANNONBRIDGE: Barry Rohan; Conor Brazil, Aaron Brazil, Darragh Mannion; Darragh Hynes, Matthew Darcy, Paddy Ryan; Ronan Devery, Charlie Gilson; Christian Brazil (Capt.), Darragh Corbett, Kevin Flynn; Ciaran Mannion, Alan Gunning, Bryan Rohan. Subs: Jack Darcy for Alan Gunning (15 mins), Ronan McEvoy for Darren Hynes (36 mins), Rory O’Connor for Kevin Flynn (49 mins), Adrian Kelly for Bryan Rohan (57 mins).
KILCLONFERT: Michael Wright; James Clarke, Niall Spillane (Capt.), Colm Quinn; Ronan Farrell, Killian Brennan, David Bracken, Joe Harte, Cathal Mangan; TJ Moore, Mark Mangan, Dan Daly; Paul O'Rourke, Geoffrey Scally, Jack Gowran. Subs: Jonathan Roe for TJ Moore (Half Time), Patrick Harney for Ronan Farrell (37 mins), Shane Mangan for Dan Daly (44 mins), Fergal Smyth for Geoffrey Scally (54 mins), Cathal Smyth for James Clarke (54 mins).
Referee: Eamonn O’Connor (Ballycommon).