Impressive victory for slick Inny Shamrocks outfit

Inny Shamrocks 4-11, Athlone 1-7

Inny Shamrocks delivered a superb attacking display to defeat Athlone in emphatic fashion, in the Westmeath U16 football Division 4 league final, at Moynihan Park, Ballynacargy on Sunday.

In a pretty impeccable display, it was Inny Shamrocks' devastating first-half goal blitz that gave them the ideal platform as they established a 15-point lead by the break and while Athlone produced a much improved second half effort, they couldn’t close the gap.

From the throw-in, Inny Shamrocks set the tone for a dominant showing, and they struck for their first goal after just two minutes. Midfielder Tristan Jordan’s long-range effort came down off the upright, and corner-forward Aidan Keane was alert to the rebound, finishing low to the net for a perfect start.

The lively Shamrocks added a free from Cathal Keena three minutes later, before Aidan Heduvan slotted over from play after a neat pass from Keena. Centre-forward Patrick Wallace then got in on the act with a well-taken point from 25 metres, as the pressure on Athlone mounted.

The second goal arrived on 11 minutes when corner-forward Peadar Baird raced onto a loose ball and got there ahead of advancing Athlone goalkeeper Nathan Quigley, poking home to give Inny a 2-3 to 0-0 lead.

Moments later, Inny strung together a fine team move involving Wallace, Jordan and wing-back Oisín Keena, which ended with Cathal Keena finishing neatly off his left. Athlone finally got on the board in the 14th minute through midfielder Dara Geary, but their relief was short-lived.

Inny were soon awarded a penalty when Keena was dragged down in the square following a pinpoint ball in from Jordan. While Cathal keena saw his shot from the penalty come down off the crossbar, the midfielder was quickest to the rebound slapping it to the net to make it 3-4 to 0-1.

Keena added another free on 20 minutes after Athlone were penalised 50 metres out for failing to hand the ball to the free-taker – a frustrating moment for the visitors.

Athlone did muster a response in the 24th minute when Eoin Whelan pointed after Sean Collins' shot dropped short and was recycled well by Fiachra Feeney. However, Inny’s fourth goal arrived just two minutes later – Peadar Baird fed Keena, whose shot for a point from 25 metres came back off the crossbar, and Keane was on hand again to bury the rebound for his second of the day.

A pointed free from Athlone centre-back Ruairí Nicholson reduced the deficit, but Heduvan had the final say of the half with a free, leaving the charges of Ryan Maher, Kenneth Conroy and Declan Forde with a commanding lead at the break.

Athlone began the second half positively, with full-forward Sean Collins curling over an excellent point from a tight angle in the opening minute. But Inny remained composed, and substitute Jack Keena responded with a score from play after three minutes.

Cathal Keena added another free on five minutes, maintaining his accuracy from the placed ball, but Feeney responded with a free for Athlone two minutes later.

Centre-back Ryan Tormey added a fine point for Inny in the 11th minute, showing great composure to pop the ball over off his left after linking with Wallace. Athlone’s James Geoghegan kept battling and was rewarded with a well-struck point of his own.

Inny’s final point from play came from Heduvan after a clever assist by Oisín Keena on 14 minutes. Athlone replied with a fisted point from corner forward Joel Idahosa and the visitors hit the net in the 20th minute – Feeney finishing crisply after a smart pass from Geoghegan. However, despite this mini Athlone surge, Inny Shamrocks remained well in control of the contest.

Peadar Baird created Inny’s final point with a measured pass to Cathal Keena, who duly slotted over to seal an impressive all-round team performance.

Athlone continued to press late on but Inny Shamrocks were defensively solid and saw the game out with minimal fuss, closing out a deserved 13-point win built on ruthless first-half finishing and a hardworking team display across the field.

After the game, Westmeath Coiste na nÓg chairman Paddy Wallace presented the trophy to winning captain Cathal Keena and paid tribute to both teams and their respective mentors.

Scorers - Inny Shamrocks: C Keena 1-5 (1-0pen; 0-3f), A Keane 2-0, P Baird 1-0, A Heduvan 0-3 (1f), P Wallace, J Keena and R Tormey 0-1 each.

Athlone: F Feeney 1-1 (0-1f), R Nicholson (free), D Geary, J Geoghegan, E Whelan, S Collins and I Idahosa 0-1 each.

Inny Shamrocks: Leo Penrose; John Lyons, Fionn Leslie, Adam Coloe; Oisín Keena, Ryan Tormey, Dan Horohoe; Cathal Keena, Tristan Jordan; Ben Forde, Patrick Wallace, Liam Óg Maxwell; Peadar Baird, Aidan Heduvan, Aidan Keane. Subs: Jack Keena for D Horohoe (h-time), D Horohoe for L Óg Maxwell and Oisín Clarke for J Lyons (48), L Óg Maxwell for A Keane (55).

Athlone: Nathan Quigley; Cian Mannion, Daniel Nugent, Thomas Daly; Cillian Silke, Ruairi Nicholson, Conor McEnroe; Dara Geary, James Geoghegan; Fiachra Feeney, Nathan Henson, Eoin Whelan; Finn McCormack, Seán Collins, Joel Idahosa. Subs: Frank Pettit for F McCormack (25), David Fleming for N Henson (45), Fionn Macken for T Daly (55), Michael Ajayi for S Collins (57), F McCormack for F Feeney (inj. 59).

Referee: Ciaran Goggins (Coralstown/Kinnegad).