Dejected Ennistymon Community School players. Photograph: John Sheridan.
ENNISTYMON COMMUNITY School’s wait for All-Ireland colleges football glory goes on after they lost out to St Clare’s Manorhamilton after extra time.
St. Clare’s Manorhamilton 1-17
Ennistymon Community School 1-13
Venue: St Jarlath’s Park, Tuam
(after extra time)
There was some outstanding football played by both sides in a game that had to be decided by extra time. The outcome went right down to the wire with the crucial score coming a minute into ‘injury time’ at the end of extra time.
Ennistymon were on the attack in search of an equaliser when St. Clare’s turned over possession in their half back line and launched a counter attack which ended with Zach Gethins finding the net to break Ennistymon hearts.
It was a game which provided plenty of thrills and spills for the large attendance as both sides chased what would be a rare All-Ireland football title.
The game produced outstanding individual performances on both sides and plenty of talking points, not least some decisions by Sligo referee John Gilmartin, one in particular which came midway through the second half when Joe Concannon was dragged to the ground in the square while in possession.
In the end, however, huge credit must go to both sets of players for providing such an entertaining contest and while Ennistymon will be disappointed with the end result they can take huge solace from the fact that they played such a part in what was a marvellous game.
The respective full forwards proved to be the danger men in the first half and at the half way point they had 0-5 each to their credit, Conor Burke being the only scorer for the Clare side.
After they had exchanged scores inside the first five minutes, St. Clare’s landed three in a row.
By the midpoint of the half the margin was back to one after Burke hit the target twice.
St. Clare’s went on to lead by two, 0-7 to 0-5 at the half time break.
Ennistymon had the first score of the second half but, just as in the opening period, the Manorhamilton side responded with three in a row to open a four point lead for the first time in the game.
The margin was still four with five minutes remaining but Ennistymon weren’t giving up despite a number of refereeing decisions going against them.
Five minutes from time Ennistymon’s determination paid off when Jack Cullinan found the net and this was quickly followed by a magnificent Conor Burke score to level the tie.
Manorhamilton responded with a point from substitute Matthew Speers but Ennistymon had the last say in normal time and full back Conor Rynne tied up matters yet again with a well worked point.
Three minutes of additional time were signalled and the game was in the fifth added minute when the Clare side were awarded a 35m free. With the last kick of the game Conor Burke’s effort into the crossfield wind drifted narrowly wide leaving he score at 1-9 to 0-12.
Points were swapped twice in the first period of extra time and the teams again exchanged points early in the second period.
The Leitrim school had edged one clear and this was the position as the game went into two minutes of ‘added time’.
As they chased an equaliser and with goalkeeper Conor Gallagher up helping his attack, the ball was turned over and the counter attack ended with a goal for St.Clare’s.
There were wild scenes of celebration from the Leitrim side while Ennistymon players were clearly disappointed
Conor Rynne, Alex Leyden. Donncha O’Dwyer, and Conor Burke were particularly outstanding for the Clare side.
Scorers St. Clare’s: Jack Kelly (0-10, 5 frees); Zach Gethins (1-1); Bailey McBrde, Jack Attard (0-2) each; Ronnan Fox, Matthew Speers (0-1) each.
Scorers Ennistymon CS: Conor Burke (0-8, 4 frees); Jack Cullinan (1-0); Conor Byrne, Donncha O’Dwyer, Joe Concannon, Conor Rynne, Alex Leyden (0-1) each
St. Clare’s, Manorhamilton
1: Josh Sheridan (Glencar Manorhamilton)
2: Sea Brady (Glencar Manorhamilton)
3: James Hughes (Glencar Manorhamilton)
4: Eoin McLoughlin (Glencar Manorhamilton)
5: Cian McMorrow (St. Patricks Dromahair)
6: Evin Gilligan (Glencar Manorhamilton)
7: Luke Farrell (Glencar Manorhamilton)
8: Bailey McBride (Glencar Manorhamilton)
9: Ronan Fox (Glencar Manorhamilton)
10: Cathal Cuneen (Glencar Manorhamilton)
11: Zach Gethins (St. Patricks Dromahair)
12: Karl Gethins (St. Patricks, Dromahair)
13: Senan Kelly (Glencar Manorhamilton)
14: Jack Kelly (Glencar Manorhamilton) Captain
15: Jack Attard (Glencar Manorhamilton)
Subs:
20: Mathew Speers (St. Patricks, Dromahair) for C. Cunneen(45)
23: Ryan Kelly (St. Patricks Dromahair) for Zach Gethins (59)
Z Gethins for S. Kelly (70)
18: Colm Rooney (Glencar Manorhamilton) for K Gethins (75)
Ennistymon Community School;
1: Jack Galllagher (Ennistymon
2: Niall Twomey (St Joseph’s Miltown)
3: Conor Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona) Joint captain
4: Gavin Twomey (St Joseph’s Miltown)
5: Daniel Brody (Ennistymon
6: Alex Leyden (Inagh/Kilnamona) Joint captain
7: Louis Griffin (Ennistymon)
8: Colm Breen (Corofin)
9: Donncha O’Dwyer (St. Breckan’s)
10: Dominic Griffin (St Joseph’s Miltown)
11: Joshua Daniels (Kilmaley)
12: Conor Byrne (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
17: Joe Concannon (Ennistymon
14: Conor Burke (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
15: Jack Cullinan (Inagh/Kilnamona)
Subs:
13: Seanán Kirby (Corofin) for Daniels (44)
18: Darragh McGroary (Corofin) for C. Breen (50)
23: Jack Lavin (Ennistymon) for G. Twomey (52)
22: Daniel Healy (Clann Lir) for C. Byrne (56)
25: Jody McMahon (Ennistymon) for L. Griffin
8: Colm Breen started extra time in place of McGroary
7: Louis Griffin for J. Concannon (half time in extra time)
4: Gavin Twomey for J. Cullinan (half time in extra time)
11: Josh Daniels for C. Breen (half time in extra time)
Referee: John Gilmartin (Sligo)
