Gerry’s Prepared Veg. Under-14 Football Championship Division One Final

Aughnamullen 3-22 Carrickmacross 1-13                         3/5/14

Aughnamullen won a first Division One title in their history when their Under-14s powered their way to victory in the championship final against Carrickmacross in Donaghmoyne. Aughnamullen, who had impressed in reaching the final, were on top for most of the game, with the spine of Ciarán Duffy, Kieran Marron, Shane Forde, Aaron McGee, Tiernan Duffy and Darren Geoghegan leading the way. Cillian Gartland, Donnach Swinburne and Ethan O’Gorman did all they could for Carrick, but Aughnamullen were not going to be denied.

Aughnamullen started as they meant to go on with very early points from Tiernan Duffy and Shane Forde, but Carrickmacross weren’t overawed by that start and they hit back with points by Donnach Swinburne, Oisín O’Hanlon and Cillian Gartland. A Jack McBrien free brought Aughnamullen level and although Tadhg Kirk-Callaghan replied for Carrick, the Sarsfields hit back with scores by Darren Geoghegan and McBrien. Gartland brought Carrick back on level terms, but Aughnamullen were never headed after Duffy regained their advantage. Aughnamullen failed to take a number of goal chances in the middle of the first half, with Geoghegan twice denied by despairing blocks, McBrien blasting off a post and midfielders Forde and Aaron McGee both firing wide. Aughnamullen eventually got their goal when Geoghegan finished from a clever pass by Duffy and points quickly rained down from Duffy (two), Forde, Geoghegan and Ryan Connolly. Duffy added another three points before half-time and although Kirk-Callaghan and Gartland responded, Aughnamullen went in leading by 1-14 to 0-7.

McBrien got on the end of a long ball from McGee to rattle in the second goal after the restart and Jason Duffy added a point, although Swinburne and Gartland were on target at the other end. A brace of fine scores by Duffy kept Aughnamullen in control, while Geoghegan went close to hitting a second goal, but Carrick threatened when O’Hanlon had a shot saved and Eoghan Duffy sent another wide and the Emmets did raise a green flag when an O’Hanlon cross was punched over the line by sub Cathal O’Rourke. A piledriver of a goal by McGee resumed Aughnamullen’s dominance, however, with Geoghegan, Forde, Connolly and Martin Sheridan adding points and Carrick’s only reply coming from Swinburne.

Aughnamullen: Adam Blanche; Oisín Hamill, Ciarán Duffy, Jay Marron; Joel Wilson, Kieran Marron, Seán Hamill; Shane Forde (0-4), Aaron McGee (1-0); Jason Duffy (0-1), Tiernan Duffy (0-9, 1f), Ryan Connolly (0-2); Jack McBrien (1-2, 0-1f), Darren Geoghegan (Capt., 1-3), Martin Sheridan (0-1).

Subs used: Aaron Hamilton, Liam Duffy, Cillian McConnell, Killian McGeough.

Carrickmacross: Robert McCloskey; Cian O’Reilly, Tiarnán McCourt, Seán McKenna; Oisín Cassidy, Oran Brady, Jack McGeown; Andrew Moore, Ethan O’Gorman; Eoghan Duffy, Donnach Swinburne (0-4), Cillian Gartland (Capt., 0-6, 2f); Dillon Carolan, Tadhg Kirk-Callaghan (0-2, 1f), Oisín O’Hanlon (0-1).

Subs used: Cathal O’Rourke (1-0), Eoin Finnegan, Michael Maguire.

Referee: Pauric Coyle (Monaghan Harps).