2006

FEILE FINALIST 2006

Maryland/Tang 4-7 Malachys/Ballinagore 4-6

Maryland/Tang qualified for the U-14 A championship by virtue of a hard earned one pt victory, over a gallant Malachys/Ballinagore last Monday evening in Drumraney. On a wet and dreary September evening, it was indeed the bigger and more physical Malachys/Ballinagore side that dominated proceedings in the first half.

Malachys/Ballinagore opened their scoring when a speculative lob found the back of the net, quickly followed by a brace of pts. Malachys/Ballinagore full forward line looked dangerous and scored two goals in quick succession despite the best efforts of an over worked defence. Maryland/Tang were thrown a lifeline with Martin Rock finishing an excellent move to the back of the net. Tommy Coughlan added a pt before the break to reduce the leeway to eight pts.

A much improved performance from Maryland/Tang saw Enda Kincaid and Sean Coughlan win more possession at midfield, and soon starting eating into the deficit with Ger Moran latching onto a rebound to score a goal. Two more pts from Tommie and Sean Coughlan left a goal between the sides. Malachys/Ballinagore responded with a pt but Tommie Coughlan fired to the net to leave the minimum. Maryland/Tang now could sense victory and driven on half backs John Rock and Trevor English and midfielders Enda and Sean had Malachys/Ballinagore pinned in their own half.

A string of pts from Sean Coughlan, Tommie Coughlan and Enda Kincaid changed the game with Enda then punching a high centre to the net to lead by five. Malachys/Ballinagore did respond with a goal and pt but time ran out and Maryland/Tang held on for a deserved victory after a terrific second half comeback. These two teams have qualified for the League final and no doubt another humdinger is in store. Team:, Lee Moran, Darren Allen, James Ganly, Christy Hermbusche, Owen Coughlan ,Trevor English, John Rock , Sean Coughlan(0-2), Enda Kincaid(1-2) , Paul O’Neill, Tommy Coughlan(1-3), Martin Rock(1-0), Emmet Moran, Ger Moran(1-0), Darragh Burke, subs, Mark White, Philip Ganly

Maryland/Tang 2-10 Malachys/Ballinagore 3-9

Drumraney was the venue for the Division 1 U-14 League Final on Sunday last between Maryland/Tang and Malachys/Ballinagore. This promised to be a cracker of a match and so it turned out to be. On a cold and breezy October morning Maryland/Tang playing with the elements, were on the offensive from the start. Martin Rock opened the scoring after 4 mins after good inter play from Trevor English, Enda Kincaid and Sean Coughlan. Mins later Martin once again found the target after good play from Enda Kincaid.

Malachys/Ballinagore responded with two pointed frees before taking the lead with a neat pt in the 15min. However Tommie Coughlan then scored a cracker of a goal to regain the lead, but this was a ding, dong battle with both sides exchanging scores and keeping the large crowd entertained. Malachys/Ballinagore were awarded a penalty in the 21st min and duly slotted the ball to the back of the net. A good spell before the break for Maryland/Tang resulted in three pts from Martin Rock and Sean Coughlan(2) to lead at the interval 1-7 to 1-4.

Aided by the breeze Malachys/Ballinagore were on the attack from the word go and after ten mins had scored 2-2 to take a commanding lead. A strong run from Tommie Coughlan resulted in Enda Kincaid scoring a screamer of a goal but this only egged Malachys/Ballinagore on more and their greater physical strength coming to the fore, Maryland/Tang found it difficult to move the ball at speed. Malachys/Ballinagore stretched their lead to five pts but Maryland/Tang threw caution to the wind and battled bravely with Enda Kincaid (2) and Sean Coughlan adding pts to reduce the lead. Malachys/Ballinagore held on and finished stronger sealing their victory with a well taken pt to run out deserving winners. This was an enthralling encounter that kept both supporters on their toes and is a credit to both set of players. Maryland/Tang contested all three U-14 finals and this certainly augers well for the future, so well done to all players and mentors for their efforts all year and especially for the enjoyment ye have given us throughout the year.

TEAM: Lee Moran, Darren Allen, James Ganly, Christy Hermbusche, Owen Coughlan ,Trevor English, John Rock, Sean Coughlan(0-5), Enda Kincaid(1-2) , Paul O’Neill, Tommy Coughlan(1-0), Martin Rock(0-3), Emmet Moran, Ger Moran, Darragh Burke, subs, Mark White, Philip Ganly, Darragh McCormack, Conor Lowry.

Congrats to Maryland/Tang u-16’s who enjoyed success recently in the Newsfare Tournament in overcoming a gallant Athlone side. Our thanks to the Athlone club for the invitation and well done to the committee, with the tournament growing from strength to strength.

On Sunday evening last Maryland/Tang u-16’s played their last League game against Garrycastle, and after good hours football a share of the spoils was the result with standing at 9 pts each. We have now qualified for the final with Garrycastle providing the opposition and the final provisionally fixed for May 18th

MARYLAND/TANG MINOR GAA

Congratulations to Maryland/Tang u-16’s who were crowned Westmeath League Champions on Thursday evening last. The final didn’t materialise as Garrycastle failed to field and the County Board awarded the match to Maryland/Tang. Unfortunately this appears to be a common trait that is entering our games as similar occurred to our minor team last autumn, and hopefully a solution can be arrived at to stop this in the future. However let this not diminish this achievement for Maryland/Tang as they were the only team to go unbeaten in the league and are worthy title holders. Well done to all concerned and best of luck to the players who are sitting exams in the next couple of weeks

Shannon Gaels

Heartiest congratulations to Shannon Gaels U-16’s who captured the National Irish Bank Football U-16 Premier Football Championship over St Loman’s on Friday last. This was a riveting game of football, played in almost arctic conditions, which kept the crowd on their toes until the last kick of the game. With no quarter asked or given, this was a ding dong battle from the throw in. Loman’s, aided by a strong breeze, started like a whirlwind and had scored 3-3 in the first fifteen minutes, looking invincible at this stage but Shannon Gaels got their act together and played more constructive football for the remainder of the half.

Trailing by 10 pts at the start of the second half, Shannon Gaels continued to dominate possession stakes but on a cold wintry evening found the packed Loman’s defence very hard to break down. However Shannon Gaels patience and determination and utter refusal to be beaten, paid off and Ian Coffey kicked the equaliser in the dying minutes. As the match went to extra time, Lomans again had wind advantage in the first period and took a 3pts to 2 lead but Shannon Gaels laid siege on Lomans goal and got their just rewards when Owen Harney soloed in along the endline and kicked a glorious pt from an acute angle to win the match and claim the Premier Title.

It would be unfair to single out player as each and every one of the players played their hearts out and their belief, resilience and their ability to carve out victory from the jaws of defeat is no doubt qualities that will stand them good stead for many a day to come.

Congratulations also to mentors, John Burke, Declan Egan, Malachy Buckley, Gerry Harney and Bobby Purtill for their time and hard work.

MARYLAND/TANG

Maryland/Tang continued their dominance at u-16 level on Sunday when they defeated St Lomans in the Club Championship. The foundation for this victory lay in a brilliant first half when they played fast and attacking football and were unlucky not to take a larger lead into the interval. The second half continued in the same vein but Maryland/Tang couldn’t find the scores to put Lomans away and then had endure a nail biting final minutes as Lomans pushed forward in droves to save the day. However Maryland/Tang held on to be deserving winners and record another famous victory. Indeed this team has shown marvelous resolve and determination and terrific character throughout the year and have remained unbeaten in that time. In the spring they captured the Newsfare Tournament and in April then were crowned Westmeath League Champions. In November, joined with neighbours Tubberclair, Shannon Gaels defeated Lomans after extra time to claim the Premier Title. So last Sunday was the icing on the cake, for this bunch of lads. Congrats and well done. Congratulations also to the mentors Sean Burke, Declan Egan and John Malynn and a big thank you for the many hours of coaching and work throughout the years. See match report for details.