McGuinness and Higgins goals provide platform for victory

Delvin/St Paul's 3-9 Cill Óige 1-6

A strong start by Delvin/St Paul’s laid the platform for eventual victory over Cill Óige in what was an entertaining Westmeath U15 Division 3 football final in Bunbrosna last Sunday.

Delvin/St Paul’s had 2-4 on the board, the goals coming from Jamie McGuinness and Finn Higgins, before Cill Óige registered a score. But the final scoreline is somewhat harsh on the Castledaly/Rosemount combination as Delvin/St Paul’s third goal, scored by substitute Cian Healy, came deep in stoppage time.

One could describe this game as a tale of two goalkeepers as Cayden Sheppard of Delvin/St Paul’s and Cill Óige’s Fionn Higgins both brought off several fine saves. And if it wasn’t for their excellence between the sticks, this final would have featured a plethora of goals.

Despite the wet weather last week, it was a very pleasant day in Bunbrosna for this final. Delvin/St Paul’s showed their intent from the start as a goal from Jamie McGuinness helped them into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead. McGuinness was to the fore in the point scoring stakes, while Finn Higgins and Sean Vaughan also raised white flags during the first half.

Finn Higgins, having previously been denied a goal by his almost namesake Fionn Higgins in the Cill Óige goals, swept the ball to the net for his side’s second green flag.

At the other end, Charlie Dolan had a shot well saved by Cayden Sheppard. The goal chances kept coming with a pass over the top from Delvin/St Paul’s midfielder Eanna Kiernan creating an opening for Jack McGuinness. Higgins came to Cill Óige’s rescue once again, with Jamie McGuinness clipping over a point in ensuing play.

Cill Óige were making determined efforts to reduce the deficit and they were rewarded when Charlie Dolan was fouled going through and a penalty was awarded. Darragh Deegan dispatched the penalty in impressive fashion to give Cill Óige a needed boost.

Another goal attempt by Dolan was saved by Sheppard, and the resulting ‘45’ led to a fine point from play by Deegan. The battle between Dolan and Sheppard continued with the Delvin/St Paul’s netminder again denying the Cill Óige attacker. Deegan did convert a free just before the break to leave Delvin/St Paul’s leading 2-6 to 1-2 at half-time.

The impressive Dillon Mooney, wearing number 4 but generally playing further out the field, opened the second-half scoring with a point via the crossbar. Mooney was involved in setting up another goal chance for Finn Higgins, but the other Higgins in the Cill Óige goals saved superbly once more.

At the other end, Michael Fox and Darragh Deegan threatened, leading to a pointed free from Deegan (36th minute). A forceful run forward by centre-back Michael Loddick then led to a point from Alex Mullen Adamson. Good play from Josh Duffy set up Dolan for a point as Cill Óige reduced the gap to five points (2-7 to 1-5).

Delvin’s/St Paul’s responded to the growing Cill Óige threat with points from Eanna Kiernan and Jamie McGuinness, before a fisted effort from Higgins hit the post and went wide.

After a Delvin/St Paul’s penalty claim for a possible foul on Dillon Ryan fell on deaf ears, Alex Mullen Adamson and Deegan tried to inspire a Cill Óige comeback but despite applying plenty of pressure, a point from substitute Daniel Murphy was their only reward.

Delvin/St Paul’s survived a few goalmouth scrambles and the 58th-minute dismissal of Sean Carroll to keep Cill Óige at bay. Finn Higgins earned a relieving free with a jinking run, before Sheppard again denied Deegan a goal. The resulting ‘45 was caught and cleared by Higgins and the winners embellished their victory when two subs combined, Shane Hendrick and Cian Healy, with Healy’s somewhat miss-hit shot trickling into the net.

Afterwards, the trophy was presented to Delvin/St Paul’s joint captains Eanna Kiernan and Caylyb Douglas by Pat Collins (on behalf of Westmeath Coiste na Óg), with Delvin man Michael Kelly also involved in the presentation.

The victory is a welcome boost to the Delvin and St Paul’s clubs, both of whom operate in the junior ranks at adult level. For a youthful Cill Óige side, no doubt there will be better days in the future.

Scorers - Delvin/St Paul’s: Jamie McGuinness 1-5; F Higgins 1-1; C Healy 1-0; S Vaughan, D Mooney and E Kiernan 0-1 each. Cill Óige: D Deegan 1-3 (1-0pen, 0-2f); A Mullen Adamson, C Dolan and D Murphy 0-1 each.

Delvin/St Paul’s: Cayden Sheppard; Conor Cassidy, Dillon Coonan, Dillon Mooney; Cathal Darby, Sean Carroll, Marcus Delaney; Eanna Kiernan, Caylyb Douglas; Sean Vaughan, Alex Walsh, Dillon Ryan; Jamie McGuinness, Finn Higgins, Jack McGuinness. Subs used: Shane Hendrick, Sean Coyne, Cian Healy, Jack Barry, Elliot Scully. Rest of panel: Cillian Newcombe, Luke Finnegan, Jack Murray, Ben Malone, Billy Murray.

Cill Óige: Fionn Higgins; Tiernan Farrell, Maxi Clevett, Tadhg Buckley; Oscar Casey, Michael Loddick, Eoin Higgins; Jacob Burke, Alex Mullen Adamson; Michael Fox, Charlie Dolan, Darragh Bradley; Josh Duffy, Darragh Deegan, Jamie Shortall. Subs used: Dara Fox, Daniel Murphy, Finian Turley. Rest of panel: Matthew Marsh, Ryan Larkin, John Finan, Philip Finan, Evan Turley, Joe Murray, Brian McCormack, Alex Pillion.

Referee: Michael Mulvihill (Garrycastle).