Gerry’s Prepared Veg U13 Div. 1 Championship Final

Carrickmacross 1-11  Monaghan Harps 2-6

The pinnacle of u13’s football was witnessed Wednesday evening as Carrickmacross Emmets faced off against the Harps of Monaghan. The game took place in Latton but the Roman collesseum would’ve been more fitting for the battle that took place between these young teams. Adapting to the large field was difficult for both teams but there was no shortage of effort both teams blew out the pre match nerves by hitting a wide apiece. The deadlock was eventually broken by Dualta Honney who’s clinical finishing in conjunction with Jack Carolan’s strength and pace caused havoc for the Harps all evening. This opening score provided the Harps with the jolt they needed to kickstart them into the game. They responded to Carricks point with 2 of their own with Ethan Ballantine and Shay Kelly supplying one each. Jack Lynch and Eoin O’Hanlon gave an exhibition in high fielding throughout the game , made possible by the excellent long kickouts from both goalkeepers Shane Carolan and Oisin Reilly. Thereafter the game set into a pattern of constant one-upmanship whereby neither team could build up a substantial lead without the opposition responding just as effectively. Both Harps midfielders pointed their scores answered by Niall Meehan and Dualta Honney for the Emmets. As the interval neared the Harps broke through and found space in the tightly condensed Carrick defence with Jack Lynch finding the net minutes before half-time to give the Harps the first significant lead moments before the interval.
HT Carrick (0-4) Monaghan (1-4)
The second half began at a similar intensity to how the first finished with numerous turnovers and both teams defence on top with fantastic tackling from Cian Bradley and Declan Lynch on both sides. Carrick got a goal of their own from Dualta Honney which was added to by scores from Eanna Allen, Jack Carolan and Sean Carthy. Fitting with the high intensity and sporadic nature of the game just as Carrick began to build up a lead Monaghan Harps got another goal from roaming midfielder Eoin O’Hanlon . The game was set up for grandstand finish with the Harps picking away at the Emmets’ narrow lead. The fairytale ending was not to be. The brunt of the frustration will be directed at none other than the crossbar who added Monaghan Harps to the list of comebacks it has successfully foiled. The game concluded with Carrick winning the game but Monaghan football being the overall winner with some periods of  fantastic football played by both sides.

Carrickmacross: Shane Carolan, Sean Carthy (0-1), Michael Óg Tierney, Nathan Campbell Niall Meehan (0-1), Declan Lynch , Connor Maher, Jack Carolan (Capt.), (0-4) Luke Povall, Dualta Honney (1-4), Matthew Carolan, Jack Mc Nally, Eanna Allen (0-1) Subs Jamie Jones, Jack Donohue, Odrahan Maher & Eohan Browne.
Monaghan Harps: Oisín Reilly; Dáire Conlon, Ethan McCaffrey; Mark Clerkin, Shane Moran, Cian Bradley (0-1); Eoin O’Hanlon (1-2, 0-2f), Jack Lynch (1-0); Fionán Ó Gallchóir (0-1), Senan Cudden, Shay Kelly (0-1); Seán Callan, Ethan Ballantine (0-1). Subs :Morgan Coyle (0-1), Dara Mullin, Kyle Cooney, Max Mallen & Oisín Treanor.