U14s end season on a high

On Monday evening Edenderry and St Vincent’s played out one of the most exciting games of football this year in the final round of the U14 football championship in Edenderry. At the end of a pulsating game, Edenderry emerged victorious by two points on a scoreline of 2-10 to 2-08.

With the aid of the wind, Edenderry took the lead early in the game through their centre-forward Ciaran Farrell who kicked a good point from a tight angle. But with St Vincent’s first attack of the game they scored a very good goal. Conor Farrell reduced St Vincent’s lead to a point when he sent over an excellent point after a good run and pass from Daryl O’Connor. St Vincent’s were soon in front by five points as they scored another goal and a point without reply. But Edenderry cancelled those two scores when Alex Kenny converted a free, and Ciaran Farrell jumped highest in the St Vincent’s square to punch an Alex Kenny free to the net. St Vincent’s grabbed the next point, before Edenderry hit a goal from Ciaran Farrell and two points from Alex Kenny (free) and Jordan Hayes. St Vincent’s scored the last point of the first half, when they sent the ball over the bar from a free.

Halftime, Edenderry 2-05 St Vincent’s 2-03.

Edenderry were playing against the wind after the break, but they made the better start to the second half with two points, the first point from Ciaran Farrell after he played a great one-two with Jordan Hayes, and the second point from an Alex Kenny free awarded for a foul on Ciaran Farrell. St Vincent’s nearly reduced Edenderry’s lead to a point, but Edenderry net minder Cain Brereton was in top form as he made a great save. However St Vincent’s did cut Edenderry’s lead in half with two points in a row. Daryl O’Connor nearly scored a third goal for Edenderry, as he went on a mazy run towards goal, but the St Vincent’s goalie made a fine save to deny him. Jordan Hayes then scored his second point of the game to increase Edenderry’s lead to three points. St Vincent’s then hit two points to leave the minimum between the teams, and then they nearly took the lead only for the alert Aaron Moules to clear the ball off his own goal-line to prevent a goal. The two team’s then swapped points, with Edenderry’s score coming from Daryl O’Connor after a fine bit of fielding and a good pass from Jordan Hayes. Yet again St Vincent’s threatened for a goal, this time Cain Brereton made a great save, and he then bravely pounced on the breaking ball when he was fouled and awarded a free out. The final score of the game came from another Alex Kenny free, which was awarded after Ciaran Farrell was hauled down after a fantastic run from his own halfback line.

This was an excellent performance from the Edenderry lads, but unfortunately results elsewhere on the night denied them a semi-final spot. Edenderry had good performances all over the field, but a special mention goes to man-of-the-match Ciaran Farrell who scored 2-02, while he also popped up in his own full back line making some good blocks.

Edenderry GAA would like to wish U14 selector Alan Hughes a speedy recovery after a recent accident.

Team: Cain Brereton; Aaron Moules, Dylan Maloney, Mark Abbott; Conor Groome, David Moloney, Peter McNamara; David Hughes, Adam Mahon; Jordan Hayes (0-2), Ciaran Farrell (2-2), Daryl O’Connor (0-1); Lee Hyland, Alex Kenny (0-4), Conor Farrell (0-1).

Referee: Ciaran Groome.