Kilbeggan Shamrocks in seventh heaven!

Kilbeggan Shamrocks players and supporters were literally singing in the rain at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday afternoon after producing a magnificent performance to defeat favourites Ballynacargy by 3-9 to 2-7 and be crowned junior football champions for a seventh time.

As in the dramatic semi-final win over The Downs, we won the hard way, coming from five points down after 20 minutes to regain parity by half-time, 1-4 to 2-1, before taking control of proceedings in the second half. Our high levels of fitness and wonderful teamwork were evident as we gradually pulled away to take possession of the Hugh Daniels Cup for the first time since 2012 and atoned for the bitter disappointment of our final defeat to Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall two years ago.

The incessant rainfall meant the ball was like a bar of soap and, unsurprisingly, it took both teams time to adapt to the conditions. With a huge crowd cheering us on and Alan Fennell playing in an unfamiliar sweeper role, we were quietly confident of finally getting one over on Bal’ after failing to beat them in two attempts already in this year’s championship (our most recent meeting in August ended in a draw). Graham O’Connor’s charges opened the scoring and passed up on the first of three clear goal chances when Owen Burke fired inches wide. David Fennell eventually got us off the mark in the 15th minute before Burke made amends for his earlier miss with the first goal after we gave possession away cheaply.

Shaun Pidgeon replied with a point, only for Troy Maher to score Bal’s second goal and leave us five adrift, 0-2 to 2-1. But there was no sense of panic in the Kilbeggan ranks as Nigel Scally responded with a free before what looked like a point attempt from the midfielder dipped into the roof of the net in the 27th minute. Our confidence visibly grew from there as Nigel added a 20-metre free after he was unceremoniously dragged down as he bore down on goal.

Bal’ regained the lead straight from the restart through Maher, but that was the last time they would lead as a 32nd minute Paul Fennell goal, after his twin brother David had given the pass, put us ahead for the first time, 2-4 to 2-2, and turned the tide firmly in our favour.

James Finnegan tagged on a quick point before Bal’ narrowed the gap. Niall Carey, who came off the bench late in the first half and made another excellent contribution, replied with a point before David Fennell was black-carded for a foul and Burke converted the resultant free. When Burke converted another free in the 44th minute, our lead was reduced to the minimum, 2-6 to 2-5, and it was anyone’s game.

But Kilbeggan responded with two delightful Jamie Stone points either side of a wonderful individual goal from Shaun Pidgeon in the 47th minute. Our captain fantastic soloed through the heart of the tiring Bal’ defence before crashing a low shot to the bottom corner of the net, which sent the Kilbeggan faithful into raptures.

Ballynacargy reduced the arrears to four points, 2-7 to 3-8, and drove another goal chance wide before Dean Fitzgerald settled it for once and for all with a booming point on the run in stoppage-time.

There were joyous scenes afterwards when Shaun Pidgeon raised the Hugh Daniels Cup for the second time in his career after receiving it from club stalwart Pat Lynagh, who was clearly overcome with emotion. Great credit is due to all 38 players on the panel for their hard work and dedication throughout the season and to our brilliant young manager Keith Higgins and his selectors Damian McLoughlin, Sham Higgins and Mattie McCormack. Keith had to dash off to Tullamore immediately after the game to play for Tubber in the Offaly SFC ‘B’ final which, sadly for him, they lost to Shamrocks.

This is a young and ambitious Kilbeggan team which has no intention of making up the numbers in the intermediate championship next year. Before then, we have a Leinster club JFC first round meeting with Louth champions Dundalk Young Irelands at a Westmeath venue on October 27 to look forward to.

Team: Thomas Barrett; Darragh Coffey, James Fox, Brendan McMahon; Mel Kiernan, Shaun Pidgeon, Colin Draper; Dean Fitzgerald, Nigel Scally; Paul Fennell, David Fennell, Keith Corcoran; Jamie Stone, Alan Fennell, James Finnegan. Subs used: Niall Carey, Kevin Smith and Brendan Nannery.

Homecoming celebrations

The team received a hero’s welcome on their return to Kilbeggan on Saturday evening with a huge crowd braving the rain to greet them. Well done to the ladies who served up a sumptuous meal for the players and their families in St James’ Hall which, like the rest of the town, was decked out in the club colours. A big thank you is also extended to Timmy Wrafter for making his truck available for the victory parade and the homecoming celebrations in The Square, and to TP O’Gorman for acting as compere, both at short notice.

Speedy recovery

We wish our kitman and medical officer Ciaran Daly a speedy recovery from the nasty fall he suffered after slipping on the wet surface on his way out to the pitch for the second half. Ciaran makes a huge contribution to our club and was responsible for putting up a lot of the bunting and flags that are visible around the town at the moment.

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