Thursday, 11 June, 2009 Fermanagh U-12 Hurling League Final -2009 Lisbellaw St Patrick's (The Holders), 2 gls. 2 pts; Ballyshannon Aodh Ruadh, 2 gls. 3 pts. In an almost low key and indeed low scoring Fermanagh Under 12 Hurling League Final of 2009, new entrants to this competition Aodh Ruadh of Ballyshannon county Donegal came out eventual winners, when in the first minute of extra time the clinched the title with a rasping shot to their opponents net by their mid-fielder Oisin Rooney. Lisbellaw the 2008 holders of this under age trophy have only themselves to blame when over a course of an hour plus extra time they accrued 15 wides, 10 in the first half. Unfortunately for the skilful and hard working St Patrick's side they were infected by the current Fermanagh sporting affliction Fermanaghitis, when their attackers are to the left or to right or dead centre in front of their opponent's goal post they put the ball or the slithor wide! The Game -first half. It was this competitions holders and favourites Lisbellaw in the games opening moments who struck first, when their right half forward Caolan Duffy, who latched onto an incoming slithor and with further ado he blasted the ball into the back of the Ballyshannon visitor's net for St Patrick's first goal from play. Barely had the ball pucked out by the Aodh Ruadh goalie and than it was intercepted in mid-air by the Lisbellaw mid-fielder Eoin Cleary who ran all of 50 metres to bang home the St Patrick's second goal and again from play. Eventually, and with lots of Ballyshannon pressure they Donegal side opened their modest scoring account with a point from their iconic full back Connor Kennedy, who fired over a spectacular point from play. As this game went into its' second quarter the latter player struck again with a green Flag rag raising score. Though there was still over ten minute to this games interval, and despite St Patrick's almost total control of the slithor it was the Donegal visitors who registered this matches last score of the opening half, when their right half forward Deva Ayres who pucked over his first and his side's second point. Half time scores. Lisbellaw St Patrick's, 2 gls. 1 pt; Ballyshannon Aodh Ruadh, 1 gl. 2 pts. The second half. This games third quarter was despite fierce intensity of the play was completely scoreless, though again Lisbellaw with their many chances at copper fastening their lead over their opponents were unable to convert many attacks into scores. Then in the match's fourth and final quarter, Ballyshannon encouraged both by St Patrick's lack of scoring ability and their large Aodh Ruadh travelling support now went seeking scores. However it was Lisbellaw's iconic Eoin Cleary that pucked over the games next score a very well taken point by the mid-fielder on the run. With less ten minutes to the matches full time this game increased intensity, but never loosed the very skilful and good ethos that permeated the entire match. Both teams now upped their commitment to their team, managers and supporters by repeatedly attacking and defending to high order. It was now to a factor who was either very skilful or having a lucky break in an opponents defending error. As the minutes fastly ticked away to full time, the initiative was increasing sway to newcomers Ballyshannon who almost had the "game-in-the-bag", when only for desperate and at times brilliant defending by Lisbellaw's last lines of resistance, they Aodh Ruadh. In between those Donegal attacks St Patrick's lads forage up field to register a single point or two, but alas the Fermanaghitis of been unable to finish off well coordinated attacks was to cost them dearly. In contrast they Aodh Ruadh lads felt increasingly confident that the wining of this game was now in their grasp. And grasp it they did, when this match was sixty one minutes old their last and successful attack resulted in game winning goal from their centre half forward Oisin Roper who banged home from play. With the slithor being pucked back downfield this matches referee blew full time on game which great excitement for the winners Ballyshannon and great pathos for the losers Lisbellaw. Referee. Noel Maguire, Knock's Grattan's. Teams, Lisbellaw St Patrick's, Aaron Magee, Cormac Thompson, Darragh McGurn, Aran Dillon, Sean Porteous, Jack Gavin, Nathan Tierney, Stephen Breen, Eoin Cleary (2 gls. 1 p[t.), Caolan Duffy ( 1 gl.), Conor Goodwin, Dylan Bannon, Ciaran Duffy, Paul McElroy & Sinead Cleary. Manager, Aidie McPhillips's. Assistant Manager, Sean Magee. Ballyshannon Aodh Ruadh, Paul Cummins, Barry Kelly, Connor Kennedy (1g. 1 pt.), Rossa McCusker, Brian Ward, Eugene Drummond, Nathanael Sweeney, Oisin Rooney, Brendan Gillespie, Deva Ayres ( 2 pts.), Oisin Roper (1 gl), Cian Kelly, Patrick Cassidy, Adam Bremmer. Subs. Patrick Harran, Shane McGrath, Colin Doyle, Conal Sweeney. Manager, John Rooney. Presentation Fermanagh Hurling Board Chairman Davy Bannon prior to presenting the Under 12 Hurling League trophy thanked the Ederney G.A.A Club for the use of their splendid park. Then turning to the game Davy remarked on the under age skills of both teams. Noting it was played in an exciting but friendly manner, with the more determined by Ballyshannon who won this match. He then presented the Fermanagh Under 12 Hurling League Trophy to Aodh Ruadhs captain Connor Kennedy. They Ballyshannon full back immediately thanked the host club Ederney for their splendid facilities. Tweet

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