U21 F B final: Kavanagh points Bracks towards title
December 09, 2018
Cormac Lyndsey of St. Ultans Cortown Gaels gives chase to Ballinabrackey's Sean Kavanagh during the Meath U21 B FC final at Pairc Tailteann.
Sean Kavanagh's five points from play were central to Ballinabrackey's win over St Ultan's Cortown Gaels in the U21 F B crown at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
Ballinabrackey ............... 1-10
St Ultan's Cortown Gaels .......... 0-7
To view photos from this game click here
The game turned in the run-in to half-time when Ballinabrackey posted three points on the spin to regain the lead they took to the winners' podium.
Kavanagh got the second of those aforementioned scores to go along with the opening score of the game
Ballinabrackey created more goal chances than St Ultan's Cortown Gaels and eventually capitalised in the final quarter when sub Oisin Gannon capitalized on David Carroll's delivery towards the town goal to leave it 1-7 to 0-4 after 48 minutes.
A St Ultan's Cortown Gaels rally that yielded three of their seven points but couldn't prevent Ballinabrackey claiming the Stiofain O Mealoid Memorial Cup.
Another Ballinabrackey goal chance, in stoppage time, saw Cortown/St Ultan's 'keeper Keith Hennessy deny Ballinabrackey sub David Dunne.
Bracks' keeper Ronan Thompson attempted some long range frees over the hour. His effort was rewarded from a 45 for the final score of the game.
Ballinabrackey moved three points clear, 0-7 to 0-4, by the three-quarter mark and look good for the silverware before Gannon's goal.
The highlight of a poor opening quarter came in the seventh minute when St Ultan's Cortown Gaels 'keeper Keith Hennessy saved smartly from Dean McNamee. The resulting 45 yielded nothing for the Offaly-border side.
The opening 27 minutes produced just three points. The Bracks got the scoring going in the 13th minute through Sean Kavanagh. Before the opening quarter passed Eoin Kavanagh tied up matters from a free.
Each side lost a player in the second quarter. Ballinabrackey's Sean Bannon was first to depart with an apparent leg muscle injury followed moments later by St Ultan's Cortown Gaels Cian McBride with a back injury.
When Ballinabrackey sub Oisin Gannon lost possession in the 27th minute, Luke Carberry capitalised and it was 0-2 to 0-1 St Ultan's Cortown Gaels.
Ballinabrackey responded with three points on the spin for forge a 0-4 to 0-2 interval advantage. Dean McNamee and Dean Coyne added to Gavin Quinn's pointed free.
From the resumption, Ballinabrackey gradually moved clear of St Ultan's Cortown Gaels to secure the title.
Ballinabrackey - Ronan Thompson (0-1 45); Daragh Daly, Adam O'Brien; David Carroll, Richie Coffey, Sean Coffey; Sean Bannon, Eric Clancy; Gavin Quinn (0-1f), Dean McNamee (0-2), Simon Finn; Sean Kavanagh (0-5); Dean Coyne (0-1). Subs - Oisin Gannon (1-0) for Bannon (22), Aaron Kennedy for Finn (40), David Dunne for Coyne (56).
St Ultan's Cortown Gaels - Keith Hennessy; Eoin McLoughlin, Cormac Lyndsey; Martin Dolan (C), Kevin Muldoon, Declan Ball; Cian McBride, Hugh Staunton; Dylan Byrne (0-1), Eoin Kavanagh (0-5fs), Brian Byrne; Luke Carberry (0-1), Darren Kavanagh. Subs - Oisin Smith for McBride (25).
Referee - Liam Reddy (Duleek-Bellewstown).
