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Burt retain U12 championship
15.07.09
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Burt...0-9 Carndonagh...1-4 Report: Inishowen Independent BURT retained the Inishowen U12A title at the Scarvey in Buncrana on Saturday night, but they had to withstand a super second half comeback by a gallant Carndonagh side that can count themselves unlucky not to have got at least a draw that would have forced the game to a replay. Burt led by 0-8 to 0-1 at the break after a sparkling first half performance, but Carn fought back and a goal from centre forward Gavin McLaughlin and a free from Shaun McCreanor ten minutes before the end reduced their arrears to just a single point. |
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With Carn throwing
everything they had into attack, and their defence
mopping up all that Burt could muster, the momentum was
with the team in green and red. But Burt broke down the
field and corner forward Jordan Arbuckle popped up with
a point – their only score of the second half – to give
his side a little bit of breathing space. Carn created a couple of late chances, but some last gasp defensive work from Jonathan McDaid, Niamh Devlin, Denver Kelly and goalkeeper Mark McElhinney kept them at bay. There were scenes of jubilation mixed with relief from the Burt team and their supporters when referee Paul Clifford sounded the full time whistle, while the Carn players fell to the ground in despair. Both sides can hold their heads up high for providing another entertaining final that kept the large crowd entertained until the very last kick of the ball. Burt were on top for most of the first half, with the tricky corner forward Calvin Gallagher getting two spectacular points on either side of a well taken point from full forward Paul McGrath. The Carn defence, led by Aaron McCarron and Eoghan Kelly, were making things difficult for the Burt boys and girls, but points from Mark Coyle, Paul McGrath, Kyle McGrath and two from Ryan Doherty (Goose) had Burt 0-8 to 0-0 ahead. |
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The Burt defence, led by
Tom Doherty and Kyle Long, were making life difficult
for Carn but they finally opened their account when Ryan
Doherty pointed a 45 late on. The second half followed a similar pattern, only this time it was Carn who were doing the scoring and Burt that were struggling. Joseph McKinney was a constant threat, while Aislinn Gibbons had a great tussle with Niamh Devlin. Shaun McCreanor converted a close in free early in the half while at the other end keeper Nathan Harkin made a great save from a Paul McGrath punch at goal. Sam Todd reduced the deficit still further for the Carn boys, and they got themselves right back in it when Gavin McLaughlin pounced on a loose ball and got the game’s only goal after Burt keeper Mark McElhinney had made a great save. Carn’s tails were up at this stage, and when McCreanor added another free there was only a single point between the teams. Strong running from Tony Cregan helped set up Jordan Arbuckle for a late Burt point that gave them the breathing space they needed and they held out for the win. It was a game that neither side deserved to lose, but Burt just edged it and captain Mark Coyle accepted the Inishowen Cup from Pat McLaughlin, secretary of the Inishowen Board. *A special word of thanks to the Buncrana Accordion band who entertained the crowd and led the teams in a pre-match parade. They helped make Sunday’s final a very special occasion indeed. Burt: Mark McElhinney; Craig Brogan, Tom Doherty, Denver Kelly; Niamh Devlin, Kyle Long, Jonathan McDaid; Sean McHugh, Mark Coyle (0-1); Ryan Doherty (0-2), Tony Cregan, Kyle McGrath (0-1); Calvin Gallagher (0-2), Paul McGrath (0-2), Jordan Arbuckle (0-1). Subs: Conor Bradley, Karen Kelly, Macauley Carr, Stephen McCafferty, Vincent Callaghan, Kieran Brady, Charles McDaid. Carn: Nathan Harkin, Brian McEleney, Eoghan Kelly, Cathal Doherty, Aaron McCarron, Ryan Doherty (0-1), Mark Doherty, Sam Todd (0-1), Cathal Farren, Aislinn Gibbons, Gavin McLaughlin (1-0), Joseph Mc Kinney, Ben Lafferty, David Doherty, Darragh O’Neill, James Monagle, Thomas Monagle, Nathan McLarkey, Christopher Mc Laughlin, James McLaughlin, Declan McLaughlin, Conor Browne, Shaun McCreanor (0-2), Keith Norris. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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