Played in very warm, sunny conditions the Gaels victory was well deserved as the lad’s gave a great display of unselfish passing and support play and also treated the large crowd present to an exceptional display of score taking.
The Gaels started well and with John Gallagher and James Jennings prominent in midfield were 1.05 to 0.01 up after the first quarter (the goal coming from James Jennings after a great move involving Ronan Commons & Patrick Murphy). The Eastern Gaels defense were finding it difficult to contain the scoring power and running of the Mayo Gaels forwards, particularly Ronan Commons and Eoin Duggan, and it was no surprise that the Gaels edged further ahead to leave the score at the interval : Mayo Gaels 2:10 Eastern Gaels 0.03.
A goal from Patrick Murphy early in the second half combined with points from John Gallagher and Ronan Commons appears to put the Gaels in an unattainable lead however towards the end of the third quarter Eastern Gaels rallied and in a six minute period of sustained pressure scored three successive goals – two from long range. Mayo Gaels responded strongly with Ronan Commons crashing the ball to the roof of the Eastern Gaels net after receiving an excellent long range pass from John Gallagher. With Conor Jordan and Cathal Heneghan in total command in defense the lads closed out the remainder of the game by adding several superb scores – the majority of these scores the end result of sweeping passing moves.
After accepting the Cup from County Board Na nOg Chairman, Seamus Touhy, Captain Conor Jordan led the cavalcade of delighted supporters to Mayo Abbey where a welcoming reception awaited in the Clubhouse.
The U14’s next outing is at home to ArdMoy in the Summer Championship (Group 4A) on Thursday the 27th of June.
Mayo Gaels: D. McGurrin, L. Gallagher, C. Jordan (Capt.), S. Keane, A. Commons, C. Heneghan, J. Gallagher (1.05), J. Jennings(1.03), P. Murphy (1.00), R. Commons (1.03), S. Joyce (0.01), E. Duggan (2.04), P. Morris (0.01); Subs : C. Ruane (1.00).
