Our U-16 team reached the county final when a solid second half performance saw them overcome a dogged Moy Davitts side in Claremorris on Tuesday evening. The sides were evenly matched throughout the first half and only a Shane Lyons goal on the stroke of halftime separated the sides with the Gaels leading 2-3 to 1-3.
The Gaels got a dream start when after a great run Kevin Lynch laid off to Shane Lyons who calmly finished to the Moy Davitts net at the town end goal. They quickly followed up with a point from play by Brian Flynn after fine work by Darren Prendergast. An efficient Moy Davitts side rattled the crossbar after five minutes and punished an undisciplined Gaels defence when they pointed three frees to narrow the gap to a single point after twelve minutes. The Gaels dominated the remainder of the half but wasted numerous chances as the Moy Davitts tactic of crowding their defence frustrated the Gaels. The hardworking Alan Morris pointed from play after twenty minutes after being setup by Kevin Lynch. Moy Davitts took the lead for the only time when the broke through the Gaels defence for a well finished goal to leave them a point clear with five minutes of the half remaining. To the Gaels credit they responded well and Adam Gallagher kicked his first free to level before a fine run by Liam Duggan setup Shane Lynch who started the half as he began it and battled his way through the Moy Davitts defence for a fine goal. This left the Gaels three clear at the break 2-3 to 1-3. Aaron Connor received a knock before halftime that forced him to be replaced during the break.
Moy Davitts pointed a free from the throw up to narrow the gap to two. They had their best spell of the game during the next ten minutes and it took some fine defending by the Gaels defence to keep them scoreless especially from Fintan Canavan and Kevin Jordon. A number of positional switches worked well for the Gaels as they found their rhythm. Kevin Lynch was fouled twice which were both converted by the hardworking Adam Gallagher. The key score of the game came after forty two minutes when Darren Prendergast coolly finished to the net to leave the Gaels in command six points clear. Moy Davitts almost responded immediately but PJ Larkin made a great save. From the resulting fifty Adam Gallagher fielded and broke from defence to feed Kevin Lynch who carried well before being fouled. The resulting free was converted again by Adam Gallagher. Shane Lyons pointed from play to push the Gaels eight clear 3-7 to 1-4. Moy Davitts responded with their first point from play but the Gaels closed out the game with two points from play by Kevin Lynch and Brian Flynn after good work by Liam Nally. Moy Davitts pushed in search of goals but fine defending by Brian Heneghan and Lorcan Henry cleared the Gaels lines. Moy Davitts had the final say with a consolation point from play on the stroke of halftime.
The final whistle was greeted with great joy by the large Gaels following. The county final has been provisionally fixed for next Tuesday evening in
Mayo Gaels team: PJ Larkin, Brian Heneghan, Lorcan Heneghan, Liam Duggan, Fintan Canavan, Kevin Jordon, Adam Gallagher (0-4, 4f), Kevin Lynch (0-1), Aaron Connor, Shane Lynch (2-1), Alan Morris (0-1), Darren Prendergast (1-0), Brian Flynn (0-2). Subs. Liam Nally for Aaron Connor (inj.).
