Published: Wednesday, 28th October, 2009 5:30pm

Kirby fires Shamrocks to victory over Shannon Gaels in U16 decider

Ennell Shamrocks 0-15; Shannon Gaels 0-11.

The Westmeath Under-16 football final was played in appalling weather conditions last Saturday in Cusack Park, but this did not stop two very committed amalgamation sides scoring 26 points between them.

However, 15 of these came from a very well-drilled Ennell Shamrocks team who were worthy winners overall.

After a minute's silence was observed in memory of Ailish Tansey, whose grandson lined out for the winners, the wind-assisted boys in red and white raced into an early lead with a brace of top-class points from Aonghus Clarke and Neal Kirby. In the fifth minute, Alan Coffey (an outstanding freetaker given the conditions) halved the deficit with a fine free from an awkward angle for the team wearing the Tubberclair colours. However, this was to prove to be the losers' only score of the first moiety as a fit and focused Ennell Shamrocks (St Malachy's/Ballinagore and Kilbeggan/St Joseph's) side rattled off a succession of points. A converted free from Niall O'Brien was followed by another opportunist point from Neal Kirby. In the 11th minute, a flowing move ended with a terrific point from team captain, Paul Fennell and, at the midpoint of the half, Neal Kirby made it 0-6 to 0-1 from a successful free.

The lead would have been greater but for the vigilance of Shannon Gaels' netminder, Lee Moran, who proved to be very reliable when regularly called into action. A wonderful individual point from Paul Fennell increased the winners' lead. The same player then was overly-ambitious with a long-range goal attempt, before Niall O'Brien defied the elements with a great strike from another free. A wild wide from Neal Kirby ensued, but he more than compensated with a marvellous point from a lineball in the closing minutes of the half. This left Ennell Shamrocks with a very commanding interval lead of 0-9 to 0-1.

Within three minutes of the resumption, the winners reached double figures when Niall O'Brien tapped over a close-range free. However, Shannon Gaels (consisting of players from Maryland/Tang and Tubberclair) were stung into action and they responded with three unanswered points by the ninth minute, all the scores coming from placed balls - an excellent '45' from Conor Fitzgibbon, sandwiched between two regular frees from the industrious Alan Coffey. Ennell's Neal Kirby then took centre stage with a hat-trick of points by the midpoint of the second moiety, the first two from frees and the third from play, after a David Fennell free came back off the woodwork.

This left the winners ahead by 0-13 to 0-4 but the South Westmeath outfit refused to throw in the towel and they rattled off four points without reply by the 23rd minute. Another converted free from Alan Coffey preceded a great score from play (their first of the contest) by powerfully-built full-forward, Conor Fitzgibbon. After the winners failed to clear the ball, Aidan Connaughton pounced for another point and Conor Fitzgibbon followed up with another successful '45', with a strike which would have done justice to many an adult player.

A fabulous catch from Niall O'Brien (now back helping his defence) precipitated a downfield move in the 27th minute which saw corner-back Ciaran Glennon get his name on the scoresheet. With two minutes of normal time remaining, Aonghus Clarke judged the wind beautifully to score the winners' 15th and last point.

Martin Rock's dangerous shot hopped agonisingly over the winners' crossbar as the countdown clock reached zero. Injury-time points from James Ganley and substitute Peter Cunningham were insufficient to cause panic in the Ennell ranks. A brief skirmish thankfully did not get out of hand and the winners were soon singing in the rain after a fully-merited victory.

Footnote

After the game, John Weir, Westmeath GAA Minor Board chairman, presented the cup to the winning Ennell Shamrocks captain, Paul Fennell.

Ennell Shamrocks: Michael Dever; Ciaran Glennon (0-1), Dean McDermott, Conal Ennis; Niall Gunning, David Lynch, Luke Peppard; Aonghus Clarke (0-2), David Fennell; Alan Clarke, Paul Fennell (capt., 0-2), Damien McCormack; Niall O'Brien (0-3, 3 frees), Neal Kirby (0-7, 1 lineball, 3 frees), Eoin Quinn. Subs: Diarmuid Raleigh (for Peppard, 52 mins), Enda Claffey (for Quinn, 60 + 1 mins).

Shannon Gaels: Lee Moran; Aaron Elliott, Cathal Tighe, Kevin Cooper; Keith McKiernan, John Rock, Conor Seery; Aidan Connaughton (0-1), Aaron Curley; James Gormley (0-1), Martin Rock (0-1), Eoin Coughlan; Ciaran Clehane, Conor Fitzgibbon (0-3, 0-2 '45's), Alan Coffey (0-4, 4 frees). Sub: Peter Cunningham (0-1) (for Clehane, half-time).

Referee: Jim Rock (Coralstown/Kinnegad).