McLoughlin goal steers Millmore Gaels to victory

Millmore Gaels 2-12, Delvin 2-7

Millmore Gaels captured the Westmeath U14 Football League Division 4 title with a deserved four-point victory over Delvin on Wednesday evening, in a game that had a bit of everything, including well-taken scores, high drama, and no shortage of quality on show from both young teams.

Delvin GAA Club hosted the final and conditions were ideal. It was Millmore Gaels who got the upperhand to lead by 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time and they held the advantage from the 12th minute on. Millmore’s blend of clinical finishing and strong defensive interventions at key moments proved decisive, while Delvin can take pride in a spirited showing in a memorable final.

The tone was set early with a free from Millmore’s full-forward Fionn McLoughlin in the third minute. David Fenlon, an industrious presence at midfield for Delvin, responded with a point before adding a second – the latter a well-worked score following a slick passing exchange.

The game’s opening goal arrived on 11 minutes, albeit in fortuitous fashion, when a high delivery from McLoughlin dropped into the danger area and was deflected to the net by a Delvin defender. Delvin replied instantly through centre forward Ryan Denning, and while corner forward Callum Maloney added a fine point on the turn for Millmore, Rian Williams (free) and Max McGauran (after a solo run) traded further scores.

Millmore finished the half stronger with a McLoughlin effort tipped over the bar by Delvin goalkeeper James Fox, one of his side’s standout performers, and a late point from Cathal Donoghue to leave the visitors four points clear at the break.

Delvin burst into life at the start of the second half with a goal from Ajay Gopalakrishnan, who pounced after Denning’s free dropped into the square. However, the response from Millmore was swift and assured. Maloney pointed a free and goalkeeper Ollie Byrne produced a vital save to deny Denning an almost immediate Delvin goal.

Centre forward Cillian Murtagh then struck two points – the first following a throw-in, the second after fine work by centre back Matthew Kiernan – while McGauran added his second and McLoughlin (free) kept the scoreboard ticking. At the other end, Delvin were having no luck with scoring chances: Charlie Flanagan made a crucial block to thwart the home side and prior to that, Michael Fitzgerald’s shot rattled the crossbar.

Delvin kept fighting, and while Denning pointed following a flowing team move, Millmore always found a response, with McGauran again on target. Gopalakrishnan and McLoughlin (free) traded scores before Seán Clune, a Delvin substitute, clipped over a tidy point following good work by Rhys Williams.

The decisive score came in the 28th minute when McGauran turned provider, playing in McLoughlin who fisted to the net to cap an impressive display. Denning gave Delvin brief hope with a well-finished goal in injury time, and even though they were awarded a last-gasp penalty for a foul in the small square, the same player pulled the shot wide with the final kick.

In truth, Millmore’s five-point cushion at that stage always gave them breathing space, and they were worthy winners in a final that produced plenty of entertainment.

Scorers - Millmore Gaels: F McLoughlin 1-4 (0-3f), OG, M McGauran 0-3, C Murtagh and C Maloney (1f) 0-2 each, C Donohue 0-1. Delvin: R Denning 1-2, A Gopalakrishnan 1-1, D Fenlon 0-2, Rian Williams (f) and S Clune 0-1 each.

Millmore Gaels: Ollie Byrne; Peter Young, Thomas Scally, Tiernan Connell; Nathan Dempsey, Matthew Kiernan, Paddy Scally; Ollie Hughes, Daniel O’Reilly; Max McGauran, Cillian Murtagh, Cathal Donohue; Conor Devaney, Fionn McLoughlin, Callum Maloney. Subs: Ryan O’Neill, Charlie Flanagan, Luke Finn, Ben Kelly, Bryan Pendred.

Delvin: James Fox; Conor McEvoy, Ben Denning, Lorcan Massey; Michael Forde, Michael Fitzgerald, Trevor Nyagano; David Fenlon, Fiach McKeogh; Shane Darby, Ryan Denning, Ajay Gopalakrishnan; Niall McEnroe, Rhys Williams, Rian Williams. Subs: Patrick Cassidy, Seán Clune, Tiernan Greville, Tadgh Murtagh.

Ref: Enda Keating (Mullingar Shamrocks).