Louth GAA club | Molloy's late point wins Minor 'A' title for St Michael's
St Michael's 1-12 St Fechins 0-14
Substitute TJ Molloy kicked the winning point as St Michael's claimed the Louth GAA LMFM Minor 'A' Football Championship title with a dramatic one-point victory over St Fechins at the Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda on Sunday afternoon.
The talented Dundalk FC youngster came off the bench in the second half and scored a fine left-footed point in the 60th minute to settle an entertaining final.
There was little between the sides throughout, with St Fechins producing several excellent long-range scores through Cillian Duff, but Michael's held on to secure the title. St Michael's made a flying start and found the net inside the opening minute.
Charlie McBride played the ball to Eoghan McEneaney, who drove a low shot past Fechins goalkeeper Fiachra Dunne. McBride added a free shortly afterwards to give his side an early four-point advantage.
Aaron Reilly opened the Fechins account with a long-range point before Harry Dowd finished a good team move to reduce the gap.
Pauric Maguire then landed an excellent left-footed two-pointer for Michael's, and another McBride free made it 1-4 to 0-2 after nine minutes.
Fechins began to settle and had a good goal chance when Ben Marron's low effort was saved by goalkeeper Dylan Smith. Reilly converted a free before Duff brought Fechins right back into the contest with two outstanding two-pointers in the space of a minute.
His first arrived in the and he followed with another from his left foot to bring the teams level at 0-7 to 1-4.
Patrick Reynolds restored Michael's lead with a point, but Duff struck another two-pointer to put Fechins ahead for the first time. Oisín Murray replied with a fisted point before McBride converted another free to leave Michael's narrowly ahead at the break.
Half-time: St Michael's 1-7 St Fechins 0-9.
Fechins made a strong start to the second half when Duff landed another two-pointer to move his side back in front. Maguire responded with his second two-pointer to restore Michael's advantage.
Both teams continued to create chances, with Fechins defender Michael McGinty making an important goal-line save to deny Reynolds.
McBride converted the resulting 45 to put Michael's two points ahead, but Fechins kept themselves in contention. James Cooney kicked a point before Duff converted a free to bring the sides level once again.
Fechins then had a great chance to take the lead when Cooney found himself through on goal, but Smith produced another excellent save. Reilly converted a free in the 54th minute to put Fechins ahead by the minimum.
Michael's needed a response and McBride provided it with a free in the 59th minute to make it 1-11 to 0-14. The winning score arrived a minute later when substitute Molloy kicked a fine left-footed point to put Michael's back in front.
Fechins were unable to find an equaliser in the closing moments as the Michael's held on for a memorable victory. Molloy's late contribution proved the difference as the Michaels secured the Minor 'A' Championship title.
Full-time: St Michael's 1-12 St Fechins 0-14
St Michael's scorers: Charlie McBride 0-5 (4f, 1 45), Pauric Maguire 0-4 (2tp), Eoghan McEneaney 1-0, Patrick Reynolds 0-1, Oisín Murray 0-1, TJ Molloy 0-1.
St Michael's: Dylan Smith; Adam Finegan, Ciaran Titley, Seán Culligan; Shay Woods, Darragh Murray, Josh Horwell; Pauric Maguire, Eoghan McEneaney; Patrick Reynolds, Arthur Sands, Tadhg Gorman; Shea Doyle, Charlie McBride, Oisín Murray.
Subs: TJ Molloy on for Shea Doyle (35’), Max Halpenny on for Josh Horwell (45’).
St Fechins scorers: Cillian Duff 0-9 (3tp, 1tpf, 1f), Aaron Reilly 0-3 (2f), Harry Dowd 0-1, James Cooney 0-1.
St Fechins: Fiachra Dunne; Brian Mulholland, Jamie McCabe, Michael McGinty; Tom O'Reilly, Harry Dowd, Tom Rock; Michael McGlew, Jake Flynn; Jack Gallagher, Cillian Duff, Tom Meegan; Ben Marron, Aaron Reilly, James Cooney.
Subs: Cormac Cooper on for Ben Marron (36’), Brian O'Neill on for Jack Gallagher (40’), Isaac Smith on for Michael McGinty (59’).