Aherlow Gaels beat the odds to claim deserved West U17A football crown

West Tipperary U17A Football Championship Final

Aherlow Gaels 1-9 

Arravale Rovers 0-9

By Mike McCarthy

The young men from the Glen turned the tables on their near neighbours, Arravale Rovers, in an exciting game in Solohead. The corresponding fixture at U15 in 2023 saw Arravale Rovers have ten points to spare at the final whistle.

READ NEXT: Sons of former Tipperary stars shine during Peader Cummins interdivisional finals weekend!

A goal was always going to be a big score considering the conditions, and it went Aherlow Gaels' way ten minutes from time with an exquisite finish from Charlie Brazil, who lobbed the ball over the retreating Arravale keeper.

The game was a credit to all who played in it. A heavy shower before the throw-in made an already soft sod even harder to manage. Referee Donie Ryan adjusted for the conditions and added to a good contest.

It was Arravale Rovers who got off to a quick start, winning the throw-in and releasing Donnacha Quigley for the first point after only ten seconds. Dylan Guerin’s kickout went to Donnacha O’Shea, who moved the ball forward through Padraig O’Brien, and when Aaron Brazil was fouled, he levelled things up with the first of five placed ball points. 

Darragh Bresnan restored the Arravale lead before Dylan Guerin produced an excellent save to deny Thomas Ryan O’Connor a certain goal. It would turn out to be a pivotal block by the end of the game. Bresnan scored his second two minutes later, but Aherlow levelled things up by ten minutes with points from Eoin O’Connell and Christian Flanagan.

Scores were hard to come by, and both defensive units were on top, but Donnacha Quigley managed to get free for two good pointed efforts, and this was followed up by a dubious Darragh Bresnan score from the sideline in Solohead. Aaron Brazil reduced the deficit from a free, but Bresnan added a placed ball of his own to give Arravale a 0-07 to 0-04 lead at the break.

The Aherlow/Lattin-Cullen combination took the field with renewed vigour after half-time, and seven minutes in had drawn level with two Brazil frees and the first of what would be two crucial Oisin Pearl scores. Bresnan had Arravale back in front with the only score in a 12-minute spell before the sixty seconds that shaped the game. 

A good move which started in defence found Oisin Pearl in the top left-hand corner. He came outside his man and floated over an equalising score. The resulting kickout was intercepted, and the through ball fell to Charlie Brazil, who lifted the ball over the goalkeeper for the game's only green flag.

The industrious Denis Cremins had the lead back to two in a helter-skelter last ten minutes, but Aaron Brazil had Aherlow three to the good with a minute on the clock, meaning Arravale would need a goal. The chance never materialised, and the young men of Aherlow and Lattin-Cullen rejoiced.

Neither team could be faulted for effort. Arravale Rovers will question some of their decision-making in front of the goal and certainly missed the leadership of the injured Robert O’Brien. Donnacha Quigley and Darragh Bresnan had impressive first halves but were on the back foot in the second, while Jaye Cilvinas was well marshalled by Colm O’Shea throughout.

For the victors, Killian Peters was resolute all through, while Padraic O’Brien was economical with the ball and always an available and willing runner. Up top, the Brazils, Charlie and Aaron, alongside Oisin Pearl, were a real threat, especially in the second half, while Dylan Guerin kept his goal intact.

Aherlow Gaels go on now to meet the winners of the North in a County semi-final.

Aherlow Gaels: Dylan Guerin; Aaron Peters, Killian Peters, Donnacha O’Shea; Colm O’Shea, Padraic O’Brien, Ciaran Hennessy; Anthony Murphy, Eoin O’Connell (0-1); Eoin O’Shea, Christian Flanagan (0-1), Oisin Pearl (0-2); Aaron Brazil (0-5f), Charlie Brazil (1-0), Sean Horan.

Subs used: Sean Fitzgerald, Rory McGuire, Paddy O’Neill, Michael O’Mahony, Michael Hayes, Fionn O’Brien, Dara Hogan, Calum Compton. 

Arravale Rovers: Adam Gleeson; Luke Webster, Patrick Beary, Mark Duggan; Mark Ryan, Jaye Cilvinas, Conor Kelly; Darragh Bresnan (0-5, 0-3f), Thomas Ryan O’Connor; Denis Cremins (0-1), Donnacha Quigley (0-3), Cian O’Connell; Cillian O’Dea, Stephen Ryan, David Hogan. 

Subs used: Alfie O’Halloran Hayes, Paddy Kavanagh, Cian Lowry, Darragh Kelly, Eoin Ryan, James Gleeson, John Beary, Paudie Rea, Paul Kelly, Reece Roche, Robert Swords, Robert O‘Brien. 

Referee: Donal Ryan (Cappawhite)

READ NEXT: IN PICTURES: All style and glamour at 'Night at the Movies' fundraiser for one Tipp GAA club!