Convey and McGauran majors steer Fr Dalton's home

MJS Building & Development Westmeath U-13 Hurling League Division 2 final replay

Fr Dalton's 4-6 St Brigid's 2-4

On a day when the Munster and Leinster hurling finals provided thrilling spectacles, the young hurlers of Fr Dalton’s and St Brigid’s had a meaningful decider of their own in Ballymore last Sunday.

Ultimately, Fr Dalton’s took the spoils in this Westmeath U-13 Division 2 league final replay, as a scoring burst early in the second half laid the platform for victory.

Fr Dalton’s led by 2-1 to 1-2 at half-time and three rapid fire points shortly after the restart, followed by Danny Convey's second goal, gave St Brigid's too much ground to make up.

The sides played out a gripping 4-8 apiece draw, after extra-time, in Rochfortbridge on May 31, and there was a sizeable crowd in attendance for the rematch.

Amid pleasant weather conditions in Ballymore, Danny Convey opened the scoring with a point from close range. St Brigid’s goalkeeper Aodhan Dunbar then did well to deal with Ben Whyte's goal attempt.

In the tenth minute, St Brigid's (whose jersey numbers were very hard to read) struck for a goal. Michael Glennon's delivery was batted out by Fr Dalton’s goalie Ruairí Connaughton and Cameron Gove finished the sliotar to the net.

Points by Aidan Clarke and Liam Brogan (a free) gave the Dalystown/Rochfortbridge side a 1-2 to 0-1 lead shortly after the 20-minute mark.

Fr Dalton's were struggling to make inroads up front, but an opportunist goal from Convey, who whipped a ground shot to the net, provided a major boost (23rd minute).

A second Fr Dalton's goal arrived some five minutes later. Dara Fox delivered the ball inside and Matthew Kiernan executed a fine catch, before firing to the net.

At the other end, the Ballymore side then survived two goalmouth scrambles in quick succession after Gove's initial shot had been blocked. This meant a physically stronger Fr Dalton's side held on to their two-point lead at the interval.

With Fr Dalton's having struggled to convert some scoring chances in the first half, whatever was said to the players at half-time had the desired effect. Inside a minute and a half of the restart, they fired over three points, the first of them one of the best scores of the match from Tristan Duncan. Conor Cunniffe and Ben Whyte swiftly followed up with points of their own.

A free out was correctly awarded to Brigid's as the boys in green and gold threatened to score a goal, but their third green flag would soon arrive in any case (35th minute). The excellent Joe Maguire played the ball forward and Convey managed to beat the Brigid's goalie to the ball before guiding it into the net from an acute angle. Convey celebrated in style to match his finish.

A superb point by Whyte, despite being under pressure, put the home side 3-5 to 1-2 ahead.

Brigid's needed to respond and they did so, with Niall O'Byrne Cleary leading the way. Firstly, O'Byrne Cleary landed a great point from long range and then the centre-forward kicked the sliotar to the net after the Dalton's defence couldn't clear their lines (44th minute).

Whyte's third point kept the Ballymore outfit ticking over, before O'Byrne Cleary replied with a splendid fetch and finish.

But all doubt was removed about the outcome when a shot from Charlie McGauran, aiming for a point, dipped into the Brigid's net (58th minute).

Afterwards, the winners' shield was presented to Fr Dalton’s captain Dara Fox by Pat Collins, Westmeath Coiste na nÓg vice-chairperson.

Player of the match: Joe Maguire (Fr Dalton’s). The centre-back was outstanding in the second half, with his fielding and striking ability regularly to the fore. The scoring contributions of Danny Convey and Ben Whyte were crucial. For St Brigid's, Niall O'Byrne Cleary did all he could to instigate a comeback, while Aidan Clarke had a fine game.

Scorers - Fr Dalton’s: D Convey 2-1; M Kiernan and C McGauran 1-0 each; B Whyte 0-3; T Duncan and C Cunniffe 0-1 each. St Brigid’s: Niall O'Byrne Cleary 1-2; C Gove 1-0; A Clarke and L Brogan (free) 0-1 each.

Fr Dalton’s: Ruairí Connaughton; Luke McCormack, Niall Gaughan, Cathal Mulvey; Dara Fox, Joe Maguire, Ollie Hughes; Conor Cunniffe, Tristan Duncan; Cathal Donoghue, Charlie McGauran, Matthew Kiernan; Callum Maloney, Ben Whyte, Danny Convey. Subs used: Patrick Scally, Tiernan Connell. Rest of panel: Ryan McCaughey, Bryan Pendred, Fionn McLoughlin, Max McGauran, John Creagh.

St Brigid’s: Aodhan Dunbar; Stephen Gorry, Tom Moore, Jamie O'Reilly; Aodhan Berry, Dylan Gammell, Aidan Clarke; Liam Brogan, Ciaran Berry; Michael Glennon, Niall O'Byrne Cleary, Sean Gavin; Cameron Gove, James Geraghty, Stephen Clarke. Subs used: Darragh Tone, Daniel Healy, Daibhin Mitchell, Ciaran Weblin, Zach Hunter. Rest of panel: Will Casey, Conan Earley, Conor Kiernan, Evan Dunbar, Fionn Bradley.

Referee: Pat Fox (Rosemount).