Joes minors made history
December 30, 2009Geraldines went into the 2009 Louth MFC decider as red-hot favourites. After all, Eamonn McEneaney's men were gunning for a fantastic third successive success at this level, while the Joes had never before managed to win the county minor crown on their own. But the young Dromiskin lads produced a storming display at Clan Na Gael Park on Sunday October 4 to record a memorable 1-12 to 2-6 win and capture the Larry Murray Cup.
The Joes bossed the first half but were left reeling by a strong Gers effort in the third quarter. However, when it mattered most, from the 48th minute onwards, they amassed 1-4 without reply to take the title in total style.
Alan McKenna had the distinction of lifting the silverware and the midfielder had certainly produced a captain's performance, striking 0-6 (including five frees) and also bagging the Man of the Match award. Alan McKenna was also pivotal to the win as he netted a brilliant late goal to turn the county final on its head, but this was very much a team effort and all 17 players who appeared in the decider - as well as the entire extended squad and management - contributed enormously to a spectacular breakthrough victory.
Contesting a minor final for only the second time since their formation in 1961, the Joes were quickly into their stride in the final, settling well and looking more comfortable with the environs than the club who were in their third minor final in a row. Conal Smyth bagged the opening point and Lorcan Doyle quickly doubled the winners' early advantage. A great move the full length of the field saw full forward Alan Lynch add to the tally and the same player almost got in for a goal only to be denied by Gers full back Michael McKevitt. The Haggardstown-Blackrock side had eleven of last year's side available but it was the Joes who dominated to lead by 0-4 to 0-2 by the end of the first quarter and 0-8 to 0-3 at the interval.
Alan McKenna provided the winners' fourth point from play and there were further first-half scores from Lynch, McKenna (2) and Alan Quigley via both bar and post.,
Like true champions, the Gers controlled the third quarter and laded 2-3 without reply to turn a five-point deficit into a four-point lead. Now, the Joes were truly being tested. All the momentum was with the Gers but somehow the Joes turned it around. A foul on Andrew McCluskey culminated in another McKenna point and the brave No.8 added another free from all of 50 metres to bring his side back within two points.
There were still two points between them with five minutes remaining but then came another Joes point - this one from Lorcan Doyle at the end of a purposeful and patient move. In the 58th minute, Doyle picked out Quigley 14 yards out from goal; Quigley rose to collect the ball; checked inside to his left and in the process lost both Gers defenders that were in front of him. With nearly the entire crowd, both Joes and neutral willing him to kick the ball over the bar, Quigley backed himself with huge self confidence and calmly picked his spot in the bottom left hand corner of the net. The field erupted with what must have been the most tumultuous roar of the entire day. A goal that will surely go down as one of the greatest in the club's history!
A lengthy stoppage followed the goal as attention was needed for Mark Neary and Alan Lynch. By the time the ball was kicked out, the game was entering injury time. Joes hearts were still very much in their mouths. The kick-out brought about a Gers free in the middle, which Shane O Hanlon launched in, the ball finished up with Tiernan Hand on the left side of the goal and thankfully from a Joes perspective, his shot, from a tight angle, hit the outside of the side netting. This would prove to be the Gers last shot at goal. With two minutes of injury time played, Sean McQuillan, the man who seems to instinctively know where to be at all times, was there in his own half back line to gather vital possession. His relieving clearance to the right wing gave Lynch a chance to gather possession. Lynch at this stage had run his socks of and looked like to be literally out on his feet, but with the crowd roaring him on, he managed to keep the ball in play and was unceremoniously fouled while playing it inside, earning the Joes one last free, 21 yards out in the right corner … McKenna territory! As the game reached the third minutes of injury time, Alan McKenna stepped up and kicked his sixth point of the match. On the long whistle, ecstatic Joes supporters invaded the field in great numbers and colour to celebrate with their young heroes.
All in all, this was a truly wonderful success that has lifted the spirits of the club. It ranks as the greatest underage achievement the club has ever had, as although fifteen years earlier, when Fr Larry Murray visited along with the Div 1 league trophy, that team was amalgamated. Also, this was a Geraldines team who seemed to have the Indian sign on the Joes lads down through the years, having beaten them twice in the league just this year. But, as all involved knew, this was their chance, this was the first time that they had a full squad to pick from and they had gradually improved their performances over the previous rounds, to produce, what was without doubt their best performance of the year. They belittled the 4/1 odds that bookies had offered against them winning.
To book their place in the final, their first appearance at that stage in 15 year, the Joes defeated St Mochtas / Dowdallshill / Sean O'Mahonys by 2-8 to 1-5 in their semi-final at Darver. After leading by 1-3 to 0-1 at the break, they never looked back. Lorcan Doyle and Alan Lynch notched 1-2 apiece in the semi-final. Prior to that, St Josephs beat Oliver Plunketts by 3-7 to 2-9 in a thrilling first-round tie on August 31.
St Josephs, 2009 Louth minor football champions: Robert Samson; Stephen Smith, Andrew Cluskey, Chris Brennan; Kieran O'Hare, David Kieran, David Mernagh; Alan McKenna (0-6), Daire McKiernan; Conal Smyth (0-1), Mark Neary, Sean McQuillan; Alan Quigley (1-1), Alan Lynch (0-2), Lorcan Doyle (0-2).
Subs: Niall Lennon for Stephen Smith (38 mins), Daire Smith for Conal Smyth (46 mins). Tweet
