Tullamore forced to work hard by brave Na Fianna before getting away for convincing win
TULLAMORE were forced to dig deep before eventually getting well clear of Na Fianna for a facile win in the U15 Football Championship final at Faithful Fields on Wednesday evening.
EJ Access Solutions U-15 Football Championship final
Tullamore 5-5
Na Fianna 0-2
The scoreline was a little bit harsh on a Na Fianna side who worked very hard and even when the game was well out of their reach in the second half, they didn't throw in the towel and continued to try and make life difficult for the winners.
From an early stage, however, it was clear that Tullamore were way the stronger side and would win, that the only issue was what their winning margin would be. The town side missed a lot in the first half and a 1-2 to 0-1 half time deficit left Na Fianna in with a slim outside chance at the break.
No observer, however, expected a shock to emerge and early in the second half, Tullamore were home and dry as they broke through for goals.
It was a strange sort of game. Tullamore's 5-5 to 0-2 win was a very comprehensive and convincing one, a big winning margin but the floodgates would have opened much wider only for Na Fianna's honesty and work rate.
Tullamore had a very good side and played well on the day. Their points tally was low but they were able to break through for goals while Na Fianna's two points, one in each half, showed how difficult they found things.
Tullamore were the better team for most of the first half apart from the first few minutes when Cillian Hogan kicked a fine opening point and Mark Dunne almost got in for a ninth minute goal, drawing a fine save from Ryan Casey.
Tullamore had the lion's share of possession from here to the half time whistle but were very wasteful up front. They kicked eight first half wides and while some of these were down to a very hard working Na Fianna defence, others were poor shooting.
Tullamore's first score in the 12th minute was an important one, an excellent Adam Martin goal after a great Patrick Duffy burst upfield. Tullamore only managed two more points before the half time whistle and only one of these was from play, a lovely score from Sam Heffernan.
However, Tullamore's wides kept Na Fianna in it but it was telling that the Killeigh parish side barely threatened a score in the 20 minutes coming up to half time. Tullamore almost got a second goal in the 23rd minute with Adam Harte doing very well to keep out a Donagh Keane shot that he saw late.
Na Fianna also got the opening point of the second half, another Hogan score but also didn't manage to score again. That was down to a very dominant Tullamore who had a decided physical edge as well as playing some very good, controlled football. Tullamore also changed tactics in the second half, resisting the urge to take pot shots and instead working the ball in close to goals, where goals emerged.
Jamie Harvey's 38th minute goal gave Tullamore a 2-3 to 0-2 lead and Na Fianna were never going to come back from that. Power was a help as Sam Heffernan got in for na 42nd minute goal, followed by ones from Adam Martin and sub Cian Rigney in the 44th and 56th minutes.
MATCH ANALYSIS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Patrick Duffy (Tullamore): Tullamore were very strong up the spine of the team, gaining a foothold down the centre and they had some outstanding displays. Timmy Cunningham, Patrick Duffy, Sam Heffernan and Adam Martin were excellent with plenty of others playing to a high level. The choice is Patrick Duffy whose dominance in the centre of defence was significant in the first half when Na Fianna were competitive. Duffy came out with a huge volume of ball and had the power to break tackles. He often got into good positions well up field and while he sometimes took a step too much or didn't quite find the target with his pass, he had a very good game.
Na Fianna tried hard with wing back Senan Farrell impressing as their best player while Callum Grehan, Eoin Gorman, Michael McAndrew and Cillian Hogan caught the eye at different stages.
THE SCORERS
Tullamore: Adam Martin 2-1, Sam Heffernan 1-1, Jamie Harvey and Cian Rigney 1-0 each, Adam Keegan 0-2 (1f) and Jayden Daly 0-1.
Na Fianna: Cillian Hogan 0-2.
THE TEAMS
TULLAMORE: Ryan Casey; Niall Lambe, Timmy Cunningham, Jake Conlon; Daniel Bourke, Patrick Duffy, Steven Murrihy; Jamie Harvey, Darragh Stewart; Adam Keegan, Sam Heffernan, Donagh Keane; Jayden Dalky, Adam Martin, Scott Halloran. Subs – Conor Rigney for Halloran, inj. (10m), Cian Rigney for Keane (55m), Devin Donoghue for Murrihy (58m), Conor Clarke for Conlon (58m).
NA FIANNA: Adam Harte; Darragh Staunton, Cathal Sheil, Thomas Lynch; Senan Farrell, Callum Grehan, Cormac Staunton; Eoin Gorman, Michael McAndrew; Liam Jones, Kajus Ramanauskas, Mark Dunne; Fionnan Connolly, Cillian Hogan, Sean Dempsey. Subs – Donal Connolly for Dempsey (HT), Harry Fleming for Sheil (38m),
Referee – Eamon O'Connor (Ballycommon).
REFEREE WATCH
You have to admire referees for the job they do. A few days after being in the eye of a mini storm after refereeing the Senior Football Championship final, Eamon O'Connor was back out again, with more or less the same umpires, taking comments in his stride, handing out his own and doing a job he clearly loves. He refereed this well and fairly, spotting nearly all infringements and there were no issues.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Adam Martin's 12th minute goal was crucial for Tullamore. With their forward line shooting blanks, it at least ensured that their first half dominance was at least partially indicated with a four point lead at the break.
VENUE WATCH
Faithful Fields was in great condition and both clubs had plenty of supporters present.
STATISTICS
Wides: Tullamore - 13 (8 in first half); Na Fianna – 8 (2 in first half).
Yellow cards: Tullamore – 1 (Adam Martin); Na Fianna – 1 (Mark Dunne)..
Red cards: 0.