West Mayo Minor A Final 1st April 2022
Kilmeena 1-12 Westport 0-11
The Kilmeena minors of 2022 wrote their own history with a well earned hard fought victory over neighbours Westport in a pulsating West Mayo Minor A final in Clogher on Friday evening last.
Westport came into the game wearing the hot favourites tag despite been defeated narrowly in round one by the boys in black and white. The game started at a frantic pace and Westport looked much slicker early on with fine scores from Finbarr Mc Loughlin, Danny Brennan and Darragh Hoban. Liam Moore, Darragh Slattery and Brian Durkan kept the score board ticking to keep Kilmeena in touch. Westport were awarded a penalty on 24minutes but Danny Brennan’s goal bound shot was somehow kept out by Evan O’ Donnell. Kilmeena were in disbelief when referee Declan Corcoran ordered it to be re-taken, but the magnificent O’ Donnell saved it for a second time. Westport tagged on another point to lead by 0-06 points to 0-03 with four minutes left to play. The rest of the first half belonged to Kilmeena with a well taken goal by Conal Gill after great work by Josh Browne. Brian Durkan and Darragh Slattery added points to leave Kilmeena 1-05 to 0-06 at the break.
Kilmeena began the second half with real intent and with Liam Moore bossing the middle of the field they realed off five points without reply. Josh Browne, Darragh Slattery, Donal hastings and Liam Moore (2). Kilmeena were guilty of missing some guilt edge chances in this period which could have put the game beyond reach. Westport to their credit fought back with points from Mc Loughlin, Brennan and Foye but late points from Liam Moore and Sean Gallagher broke Westport’s momentum. Westport pushed hard with twolate points for their efforts but were never going to catch the boy’s in black and white who defended heroically to run our deserving winners on a score line of 1-12 to 0-11 to land the club’s first Minor A title.
Evan O’ Donnell was superb and assured in goal, Joseph O’ Malley, Jack Mulchrone and Donal Hastings were outstanding in the full back line and dealt with everything Westport threw at them. The half back line of Ciaran Kilcoyne, Conor Feehan, Conor Kelly and Keelan Corcoran defended heroically and drove forward at every opportunity. At midfield Liam Moore gave a master class of high fielding and tagged four long ranged points for good measure. Colin Hastings covered every blade of grass and linked play at every chance. A return of six points from half forward line Darragh Slattery, Josh Browne and Brian Durkanmeant they were always an attacking threat. Sean Gallagher and Conal Gill’s constant movement inside meant that Westport’s full back line was always on alert and their work rate was a joy to watch where they turned the Westport defence over time and time againand also contributing 1-01 to the score line. Michael Regan and Adam O’ Grady came in as late subs and both contributed to this famous victory.
Kilmeena face Ballina Stephenites in the County semi final Monday evening next and hopefully the quick turnaround will not prove a bridge too far for the boys in black and white.
Team: E. O’ Donnell, D. Hastings, J. Mulchrone, J. O’ Malley, C. Kilcoyne, C. Feehan, C. Kelly, L. Moore, C. Hastings, J. Browne, D. Slattery, B. Durkan, C. Gill, S. Gallagher, K. Corcoran. Subs: A. O’ Grady, S. O’ Grady, J. O’ Grady, D. Staunton, H. Sheridan, C. Feehan, M. Regan, C. O’ Malley, F. Gibbons, R. Kilcoyne, L. Durkan, J. Murphy
Management: Padraic Moore, Neil O’ Donnell, Pat Mulchrone, Conor Madden.
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