Paul Gannon Heritage

Gráinne Mhaols 2-6   An Cheathrú Rua 0-5

Gráinne Mhaols Under 11s retained their West Galway A title on September 1^st last when they overcame the spirited challenge of An Cheathrú Rua in an entertaining final in Clifden.  An Cheathrú Rua’s most impressive player, midfielder Mary Nic Dhonnacha, opened the scoring with a well executed point on 4 minutes but Gráinne Mhaols responded immediately with a clinical goal finish from corner forward Una Coyne after great approach play by Ríona Coyne and Isobel Ruddy.  Coyne added a point on 6 minutes as her side went on to dominate in general play for the remainder of the opening half.  Half backs Katie Flaherty and Ciara McDermott were tight, tenacious and disciplined in their defensive duties, while Emily Mc Conway was showing great industry up front.

Gráinne Mhaols, 2013 West Galway U11A Champions
Back Row (L to R): Eddie Flaherty (Manager), Erica Pollington, Katie Flaherty, Camilla Coyne, Emily McConway, Seren Griffiths, Noelle Joyce, Majella Coyne (Manager). Front Row (L to R): Una Coyne, Ríona Coyne, Noreen Coyne, Megan Walsh (Captain), Ciara McDermott and Isobel Ruddy.
Photo courtesy of Bernie Coyne.

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St Michaels 0-17   Renvyle 2-10

Renvyle’s gallant Minors went agonisingly close to writing themselves into the history books on Saturday, December 21^st last when they lost out by the bare minimum to their city rivals in an enthralling West Board Under 18 Division 2 championship Final in Rosmuc.  The West Connemara lads steadfast refusal to throw in the towel in the face of a sustained second half onslaught from the pre-match favourites saw them claw their way back into contention and ultimately almost snatch the most unlikeliest of victories against all the odds.  St Michaels were hanging on in those final few frantic moments and went perilously close to paying the ultimate price for not closing out this match at a much earlier juncture.

The opening quarter was tight and tense for the most part, with both sides taking a long time to get into their stride.  Renvyle wing back Brendan Regan opened the scoring on 3 minutes after a great individual solo run.  St Michaels captain, Dylan Thornton replied with a converted close range free on 5 minutes before powerful midfielder Eamonn Brannigan edged the city side head with the first of his eight points on 7 minutes.  Renvyle wing forward Cathal Acton clipped over a neat equaliser three minutes later following a well worked move involving Conor Clarke, Josh Lydon and Barry John Salmon.  Slowly but surely, however, St Michaels were gaining the upper hand in midfield and their policy of running directly and at pace through central channels led to the creation of no less than four clear cut goal chances throughout the remainder of the half.  None of these opportunities were availed of, however, much to the chagrin and disappointment of their supporters. Continue reading →