Football titles for Portroe and Newport Under 13's

Reports: Mark Dunne In Dundrum

Photos: Michael Boland

‘C’ Final

Portroe 3-13 Ballingarry 2-3

Portroe claimed the County Under 13 ‘C’ Football title on Saturday afternoon with a convincing win over South champions Ballingarry.

Before the commencement of the game a minutes silence was held for the late Marion Cleere of Ballingarry who sadly passed away the evening before, with her grandson Oisín captaining the Ballingarry side.

The South champions began the brightest, Luke O’Brien pointing inside the opening moments. Oscar O’Halloran, who was immense for the winners, opened his sides tally with a good point off his right. Wayne Darcy edged Ballingarry in front before Portroe settled into the game; three unanswered points saw them take control of the encounter.

Both sides embraced the new football rules with plenty of good passages of play from both. Ballingarry saw a Charlie Finnegan shot blast off the crossbar in the fifteenth minute with Portroe capitalising on the extra space up front, Charlie Horan raising a white flag.

Horan really grew into the game and in the next five minutes he raised two green flags for his side to push their lead out to nine. Ballingarry worked hard with Luke O’Brien and Mossy Norton to the fore. The half time whistle sounded with nine points between the teams.

Ballingarry started the second half with a sprint and had 1-1 on the scoreboard inside the opening five minutes; Bill Carroll netting the goal following good inter-play between Finnegan and O’Brien.

Portroe settled into the half and kicked two fine points from O’Halloran pair; Oisín & Oscar. Ballingarry though to their credit fought hard and were rewarded when O’Brien’s initial palm to the Port goal was blocked by Creamer but good pressure saw the umpires raise the green flag as the ball crossed the line, 2-3 to 2-7.

Portroe, though, found another gear and drove on by their large following kicked on to victory. Oscar O’Halloran pointed three frees with one raising the all-important orange flag. The move of the game though came in the 20th minute, a fine passing move saw the ball fall to Charlie Horan who made no mistake and secured his third goal of the final.

The final whistle sounded to scenes of joy from players and supporters alike.

Credit to both sides on a very entertaining game of football. The new football rules were used to great effect by both sides. The future of football is bright in both clubs with standout performances from Charlie Horan, Oisín & Oscar O’Halloran (Portroe) with Coady Hanlon, Bill Carroll and Luke O’Brien solid for the South champions.

Portroe: Adam Creamer, Ronan Minogue, Desmond Fitzgerald, Conor Minogue, Jack Shinners, Nathan Delahunty, Ryan Hogan, Oisin O’Halloran (0-4, 1x2pt), Oscar O’Halloran (0-4, 1x2pt, 2x1f), Cameron Morgan, Charlie Horan (3-2), Noah Howard, Daniel O’Brien, Sean Gleeson, Brandon Morgan, Ciaran Clifford, Bill McLoughlin, Jack O’Connor.

Ballingarry: Jack Kealy, Tommy Kennedy, Oisín Cleere, Matthew Meagher, Tommy Butler, Mossy Norton, Coady Hanlon (0-1f), Luke O’Brien (1-1), Wayne Darcy (0-1), Bill Carroll (1-0), Charlie Finnegan, Harry Carroll, Kyle Ivors, Robert Cooney, Alan Kelly, Kyle Moloney, Eamonn Quigley.

Referee: Ailbe O’Dwyer (Boherlahan-Dualla)

‘D’ Final

Newport 6-7 Boherlahan-Dualla 1-2

North champions Newport continued winning ways on Saturday where they saw off the challenge of Mid champions Boherlahan-Dualla to claim the County Under 13 ‘D’ Football title.

Both sides took some time to settle into this game with early shots in wet slippery conditions just shy of the mark. Newport though were first on the scoreboard on seven minutes with Rhys Harvey splitting the posts. This point gave his side the much needed lift and they reeled off the next two scores; John Muldowney overturning the Boherlahan kick-out to point and then moments later Eoin Coffey climbed the highest to palm the ball into the net.

Boherlahan, though, did not back down from the challenge with Caiden Cahill immense between the posts and Lorcan Harrington proving pivotal in moving the ball to their inside line. Kyle Horgan pointed two quick frees in succession to leave a goal between the sides.

The game now was finely balanced with good spells of play for both sides. Newport though kicked up a gear in the last few minutes of the half. Tom Murphy pointed a close range free before Seán McGrath found himself on the back of a shot that ricocheted off the post to tap in for Newport’s second goal.

Moments later, Aidan Ryan got his sides third to send the teams in at the break 3-3 to 0-2 in favour of the North champions.

The second half saw conditions worsen slightly but that did not damper eithers sides approach. Boherlahan-Dualla worked hard to stem the Newport attack, but the North side rattled in two early goals courtesy of Seán McGrath, to bring his tally to three. Substitute John Murnane kicked a fine point on the 32nd minute.

Boherlahan, though, worked hard. Oran Crosse, Tom Fahey and Rian Colville working hard to find scores, but it did not materialise. McGrath who was proving difficult to manage kicked two further points with Tom Murphy also getting his second. Boherlahan’s never say die attitude paid off in the closing minutes when Fiachra O’Connor found the net amongst a pool of players. Newport though responded quickly with Jack Moloney netting to give his side a comprehensive victory.

While the final scoreline may be one sided Boherlahan-Dualla worked hard over the forty minutes and can be commended for the manner in which they played. Kyle Horgan, Lorcan Harrington and Caiden Cahill to mention a dew put in a serious shift for the Mid champions.

Newport though proved too strong in the end; Sean McGrath, Rhys Harvey and Eoin Coffey all contributing immensely to their win.

Newport: Michael Power, Brian Coffey, Conor Muldowney, Danny Caplis, Eoin Coffey (0-1), Tom Murphy (0-2, 1f), Jake Duggan, Seán McGrath (3-2), Eoin Butler, Rhys Harvey (0-1), Aidan Ryan (1-0), Finn Gillespie, Aidan Kennedy, John Muldowney (0-1), Luke Dowling, John Murnane (0-1), Jack Collins, Jack Moloney (1-0), Filip Czech, Aaron Savage.

Boherlahan-Dualla: Caiden Cahill, Jack Maher, Nicholas Tarrant, Oran Crosse, Lorcan Harrington, Fiachra O’Connor (1-0), Riain Colville, Kyle Horgan (0-2f), Edward Lahart, Darragh Purcell, Charlie Wilson, Tom Fahey, Luke O’Connell, Padraig O’Connor

Referee: Tommy McGrath (Clonmel Óg).