U15A County FC Final Match Report - Bandon vs Wolfe Tones - 2017-08-21

U15A County Football Championship Final

Bandon vs Wolfe Tones (Kanturk)

(16 August 2017 Venue Macroom)


Bandon                    3. 13

Wolfe Tones             3. 06

(after extra-time)


In sport there are a few times in your life you will say “yes I was there“. Irrespective of the end result of this enthralling County U15A football championship final played under lights in Macroom for those of us lucky enough to be there. It was certainly one of those truly rare occasions. Plaudits to both teams for an absolutely classic encounter, with end to end good attacking football, top class defending, and every player, mentor, and supporter gave their all. In the end Bandon showed what a class outfit this group of players are developing into. There were no losers in this game but Thank God, Bandon won out in the end. The Club now hosts the dual U15A County Football and Hurling Champions. A remarkable achievement, so onwards and upwards. In truth Bandon hadn’t really been tested coming into this final, but Wolfe Tones re-wrote that script and extended them to the very limits and beyond. Bandon were 1 point up at half-time 0.05 to 1.01 with Bandon leading by four points (not comfortably) before conceding a converted penalty with the very last action of the first half. The full-time score was 0.11 to 2.05 with Bandon bravely chasing the game for a good deal of the second half. The most pleasing aspect was that Bandon after every setback just kept coming back and refused to die. Extra time belonged to Bandon who were just not going to be denied and their superior fitness from the hurling campaign shone through. They had built up a lead of 2.13 to 2.06 at half time in extra time, and in truth the game was gone from a dogged Wolfe Tones. The goals that Bandon had threatened all night finally came.


Oisin Doyle was soundness personified in goal, made the saves, kept his head and distributed the ball very well throughout. He is developing into a real prospect and looking ahead has a bright future. Right corner back Oisin O’Mahony is teak tough and never put a foot wrong here or indeed throughout the campaign. He always plays goal side of his man. Countless lines have already been written praising Mr. Dependable full-back Tim Twohig because the way he is developing there is a full book to come. He was just so solid all through tonight and in two entire championships as a standout player. All credit to left corner back Ralph O’Mahony who probably shouldn’t have been playing (but you tell him that) as he lined out with an ongoing hand injury and could hardly have been more effective. He is one of the most improved players on the team.  Cian Burke is a great dual prospect at right half back and had a fine game throughout developing into a hugely effective defender. Conor Twomey is a dual centre-back and never puts a foot wrong who is another one to be marked out for the future. As in hurling, the spine of this side are rarely beaten and Conor is a huge component part of that. There will not be a better performance by a left half back in any grade in 2017 than young Tom Desmond gave in this county final. He is a most natural attacking footballer and his surging runs tormented Wolfe Tones and numerous markers for a full eighty minutes. It was a performance for the ages.

Cathal Lynch in mid-field was outstanding and scored four vital points from play at crucial times. He uses the ball so well, turning into a real prospect as of the team’s real leaders and is already lining out at minor level. His partner Niall Desmond covered every blade of grass on the pitch, caught and distributed great ball, using his size to great effect and was still going strong at the very welcome last whistle.


Gavin Lowney at right half forward had a fine game and saw off several close markers, never stopped working, scored the killer goal and will always takes the most direct route to goal. He is great to show for the ball and is a complete nightmare for a defender to play on. Charlie Long is probably the most skilful player on the team leading the line superbly at centre forward. He is so good to look up and bring others into the game. He ran himself to a standstill here and was still going strong at the end. 
Great to see left half forward Fionn Harrington back from an illness riddled season, and he made a fine contribution to this win. 2017 has not been kind to him but he too is one for the future. In the right corner forward Brendan Twohig is Mr. Versatile and can play seamlessly as a back or a forward, where his constant movement and physicality make him a real handful to mark. He would not have been flattered to have finished the night with two or three goals but had his efforts saved. Ever improving full forward Daithi Collis was one of our best players in this county final, presented effectively as a target man all night and tormented the Wolfe Tones defence throughout. His switch back to Sweeper in extra time was a master move as he read the attacking play to perfection. Left corner forward Jake Lillis works so hard, shows very well and always takes the right option. He plays from first whistle to last with his head up, always aware of attacking options. One of several U14’s on the team he has a very bright future. Great to see another of the U14’s Richard Murphy who has recently been ill making a welcome appearance during extra time in mid field. We wish him well and hope that last night will surely speed up the recovery process.

 

Huge well done to the very dedicated U15 team mentors, double winners Finbarr Lynch, Ian Doyle, and John Collis, also to Carl O’ Mahony who brought his years of experience on board for the football campaign. Finally, well done to the great Club support on the night as it was certainly the least this game and these fine young men deserved.


Team: Oisin Doyle, Oisin O’Mahony, Tim Twohig, Ralph O’Mahony, Cian Burke, Conor Twomey, Tom Desmond, Cathal Lynch (0.04), Niall Desmond, Gavin Lowney (1.00) , Charlie Long (1.03), Fionn Harrington (0.01),  Brendan Twohig (0.01), Daithi Collis (1.03), Jake Lillis (0.01)


Subs.: Luke Quinlan, Richard Murphy, Rory Harrington, Rory Desmond, Robert McCarthy, Gerard O’Donovan, Kieran Barry, David McCarthy, Tom Donegan, Conor Gallagher.