*Lissycasey’s victorious panel and management. Photograph: Lissycasey GAA
LISSYCASEY produced a powerful first half display to propel themselves to win the Minor A football championship for the fifth time.
Lissycasey 3-12
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 3-5
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
With a fourteen point half-time lead, Lissycasey were well on their way to winning the championship for the second time in three seasons.
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield put in a strong second half showing but Lissycasey held firm and deservingly captured the title.
As the scoreline of 2-9 to 0-1 suggests, they held the upperhand from the start. They opened the scoring in the first minute through Cathal Casey and when the kickout was intercepted they pounced for a Diarmuid McMahon goal.
St. Joseph’s had their only score of the half through Darragh Ball in the third minute but a string of points from Lissycasey through Evan Cleary and Diarmuid McMahon had them 1-8 to 0-1 in front after twenty minutes.
Lissycasey’s second goal came seven minutes from the break when James Murphy got the vital touch and they finished the half with an Evan Cleary point.
Doora/Barefield made a number of changes to their line up at the interval and they hit back strongly after the break, scoring 2-2 without reply but a powerful move involving Diarmuid McMahon and Evan Cleary ended with McMahon striking for his second goal of the tie at the mid point of the second half and this settled Lissycasey.
The Parish battled to the finish and in injury time Darragh Ball drilled a 13m free to the net.
Overall, Lissycasey had the better of the exchanges and they emerged as worthy winners on a day when Ben Wragg, Cathal Casey, Conor Hill, Evan Cleary Cian O’Callaghan and Diarmuid McMahon led the way.
Conor Boyle, Liam Clune, and Darragh Ball were prominent for St Joseph’s, the outcome meaning they were beaten finalists in both the Minor A football and hurling deciders.
Scorers Lissycasey: Diarmuid McMahon (2-4); Evan Cleary (0-6) James Murphy (1-1); Cathal Casey (0-1).
Scorers St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Darragh Ball (2-2); Joe Mannion (1-0); Diarmuid Boyle, Graham Ball, Robbie Whelan (0-1) each.
Lissycasey:
1: David King
2: Ben Wragg
3: Aaron Killeen
4: Josh Marrinan
5; Caelum Killeen
6: Ewan Wragg
7: Cathal Casey
8: Conor Hill (captain)
9: Aidan Weaver
17: James Murphy
11: Darren Garry
12: Padraig Healy
13: Cian O’Callaghan
14: Evan Cleary
15: Diarmuid McMahon
Subs:
19: Odhran Murphy for D. Garry (45)
10: Alex Griffin for P. Healy (50)
18: Shane Cotter for J. Murphy (58)
20: Eoin Griffin for C. Killeen (59)
21: Michael Donnelly for E. Cleary (60)
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield:
1: Cillian Foley
2: Sean McMahon
3: Dara Fahy
4: Micheal Ó Coilean
5: Cian Breslin
6: James Rafferty
7: Diarmuid Boyle
8: Daragh Monaghan
9: T.J. Moran
18: Joseph Kelly
11: Liam Clune, Captain
12: Joe Mannion
22: Leon Talty
14: Shane Mescall
15: Darragh Ball
Subs:
20: Graham Ball for T.J. Moran (half time)
10: Jack McAllister for J Kelly (half time)
13: Robbie Whelan for D. Fahy (46)
17: Matthew Corey for J. Mannion
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
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