U16 Football Championship – Round 1 – Saturday 7th September 2024

Posted September 11, 2024

Naomh Mearnóg 3-7
Thomas Davis 2-9

For the second time in 6 months Naomh Mearnóg U16 footballers beat Thomas Davis by the
finest of margins in a thrilling match played at Carrickhill on Saturday afternoon.
Mearnóg team selection was hampered by injuries and unavailability of players. Jack Clarke
(concussion), Theo Dunne (ankle), Liam Hogan (calf) and Ethan Fitzgibbon (ankle) all
missed the game and the team management, of Rob Wall and Mike Miland, were very
grateful to be able to call on support from U15 players Alex Harris, Cillian McCauley and
Frank May.

Mearnóg won the toss and played with the aid of a strong wind in the first half but it was
Thomas Davis that made the brighter start. With just two minutes gone, Gareth Hayes burst
forward on a strong solo run and was brought down inside the large square. Davis were
awarded a penalty and corner forward Luke Collins slotted it high into the net.
Full forward Finn O’Donnell registered Mearnóg’s first score after 5 mins before Dean
Lennon landed one back for Davis. At this stage Thomas Davis were dominant and should
have had a healthy lead were it not for some very wayward shooting.

On 15 mins and against the run of play, Mearnóg’s first goal arrived, when Shane Rafter
finished off a fine move by the Mearnóg forwards. Two minutes later Finn O’Donnell popped
over a point to leave the score 1-3 to 1-1.

Thomas Davis continued to control general play but couldn’t score. By the 20 minute, they
had 6 wides, twice crashed balls off the crossbar and blasted an open goal wide from close
range.

On 22 mins, O’Donnell came to midfield and Burns went to full forward and the change bore
immediate results. On 23 mins, O’Donnell tapped over his third point and on 27 mins Burns
hit the net with a low drive after a strong run. Cillian Brennan curled over a left legged free
on 28 mins to give Mearnóg a six-point lead before Sean Pettit scored 2 excellent points
against the wind to reduce the margin again.

Shane Rafter had the final word of the first half when he scored a dainty point on 31 mins to
leave the half time score Naomh Mearnóg 2-5 to Thomas Davis 1-3.
The big question at the break was whether 5 points would be a big enough lead for Mearnóg
while playing against the wind.
Shane Rafter kicked over the first score of the second half on 32 mins before Thomas Davis
took control again.

Points from Ben McDonnell, Caden Delves and Luke Collins reduced the lead to 3 points
and Thomas Davis were coming forward in waves. Mearnóg were under severe pressure but
the defence stuck to their task admirably. In goal, Alex Harris kick outs were assured and he
brought off a point blank save on 40 mins to deny a certain Davis goal. The work rate by the
6 defenders was immense but special mention to Adam Kerr who had a magnificent game at
full back. His reading of the game and defensive awareness was excellent throughout and a
moment of brilliance ‘block down’ on 42 mins will long be remembered.

On 47 mins, following another attacking wave, Dean Lennon crashed home Davis’ second
goal but the response from Mearnóg was immediate. Cillian McCauley, who was introduced
at half time, showed well for an O’Donnell pass and went on a direct run on goal. His shot
struck the crossbar and Cillian Slevin was on hand to collect and tap it to the net. A ‘square
ball’ call by the umpire was overruled by the referee, the goal stood and Mearnóg took a 4-
point lead into the last 10 mins.

The tension and excitement mounted on and off the pitch as the match entered the final
minutes.  Three consecutive points from Thomas Davis reduced the score to the minimum.
As Davis pressed for an equaliser Finn O’Donnell, Cillian Lyons and Cillian Slevin all
stepped up with some crucial tackles. The game threatened to boil over when Ben
McDonnell was sent to the line for a second yellow card offense but time ran out and
Mearnóg held on for a super championship win.

The final score was Naomh Mearnóg 3-7 to Thomas Davis 2-9.

Mearnóg Scorers: Shane Rafter 1-2, Finn O’Donnell 0-4, Daniel Burns 1-0, Cillian Slevin 1-0,
C Brennan 0-1.
Thomas Davis scorers: Luke Collins 1-2, Dean Lennon 1-1, Sean Pettit 0-2, Gareth Hayes 0-
2, Ben McDonnell 0-1, Caden Delves 0-1.

Panel: Alex Harris, Patrick Corcoran, Adam Kerr, Jake Beckett, Ronan O’Brien, Jack
Dowley, Oisin Carroll, Cillian Lyons, Daniel Burns, Finn O’Donnell, Shane Rafter, Cillian
Brennan, Senan Miland, Daragh Fahy, Sam Reid, Cillian Slevin, Jacob McCann, Cillian
McCauley, Frank May.