By Liam Hogan 

 

A close in free by James Ahern helped Naomh Eoin claim their first piece of silverware when defeating Moneygall in an exciting eight goal North under -21 B Football final played at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh last Friday evening. 

 

The Cork born full forward was unerring from frees (with both feet it must be added) in a game that saw both side enjoy periods of dominance with Naomh Eoin’s dominance in the third quarter giving them a six point advantage at a stage they looked odds on to win. That was a period when Moneygall were reduced to fourteen men when the hard working Andy Hoolan was black carded in the 35th minute.  

 

After a minutes silence was observed in memory of the late Ger Fox, Shannon Rovers who had died on the 25th April it was Moneygall who first took the initiative.

 

Moneygall’s quick running play tested the Naomh Eoin goal and Cian Ryan’s goal had them 1-1 to 0-1 in front in the seventh minute after decisive work by Tadhg Whyte and Andy Hoolan. Moneygall increased the lead to four but Ciaran Foley and Cathal Hogan’s promptings had Naomh Eoin back in touch as Josh Chadwick’s goal in the eleventh minute had the deficit back to one. From there, James Ahern’s free, off the left leg, had matters even at 1-2each.

 

By the 19th minute an improved Naomh Eoin side had a four point advantage after a Joshua Chadwick score but Moneygall replied in style. Tadhg Whyte’s two pointer in the 26th was the first of three strikes with Conor Quinlan adding a goal in the 29th minute. Seconds later, the lead increased Whyte posted a two pointer from a free, but in the nature of the game a response from a James Ahern free on the stroke of half time made it Moneygall 2-6 Naomh Eoin 1-7.

 

The second half was only three minutes old when Naomh Eoin were back in front after Rory Fox scored 1-1 in sixty seconds. With Moneygall losing Andy Hoolan to a black card the Naomh Eoin side took command with Cathal Hogan’s goal making it 3-9 to 2-6 after thirty eight minutes after a neat pass by Ciaran Foley.  The free flowing nature of the game continued and a goal by the impressive Tadhg Whyte had Moneygall three adrift.

 

Cian Ryan going off injured was a setback to Moneygall who saw James Morris deny Whyte with a good save. With defence turned into attack, Naomh Eoin raced down field for Josh Chadwick to score his second goal in the 43rd minute. At 4-9 to 3-6, all seemed well for Naomh Eoin but Moneygall, with a full complement saw points by Tim Cleary and Whyte (free) reduce the deficit to four. Cathal Hogan steadied the ship for Naomh Eoin in the 54th minute but Tadhg Whyte scored two points, the latter from a free, to leave his side three in arrears and two minutes remaining.

 

More Moneygall pressure had everyone on the edge of their seats and they had matters level when Andy Hoolan had his team’s fourth goal in the 60th minute. Extra time seemed a possibility but Naomh Eoin attacked once more and won a free close for Ahern to clinch the deal. The drama didn’t end there as both Joshua Chadwick and Oisin Dwyer were red carded for rough play almost at the call of time. 

Man of the match, Ciaran Foley, Naomh Eoin. 

Naomh Eoin: J Chadwick 2-1; J Ahern 0-5 (frees); R Fox 1-2,   D Hogan 1-1; C Foley and L O’Dwyer 0-1 each. 

Moneygall: T Whyte 1-7 (0-2f, 1x2pt, 1x2pt free); C Ryan and C Quinlan and Andy Hoolan  1-0 each; D Sayers, Oisin Dwyer and C Hoolan 0-1 each. 

 

Naomh Eoin: James Morris; Brandon Foley, David Austin, Cormac Cleary; Sean Hough, Diarmuid Hogan, Matthew Hardy; Ciaran Foley, Cathal

Hogan; Darragh Egan, Liam O’Dwyer, Rory Fox; Donal Cleary, James Ahern, Joshua Chadwick. 

Subs: Ryan Donnelly for Egan (43); John O’Dwyer for L O’Dwyer (51); Ciaran Slevin for B Foley (59). 

 

Moneygall: Liam Flynn; Joe Stapleton, Sean Stapleton, Oisin Maxwell; Dylan McCormack, Adam O’Brien, Dylan Sayers; Brian Toohey, Andy Hoolan; Tim Cleary, Tadgh Whyte, Andrew Murray; Oisin Dwyer, Cian Ryan, Conor Quinlan. 

Subs: Cormac Hoolan for Murray (h/t); Patrick Carroll for C Ryan (40).

 

Referee: Mark Houlihan, Lorrha.