An Cheathrú Rua boys hold nerve to take Minor B glory

Monivea-Abbey 1-4

By Tommy Devane at Pearse Stadium

THE County Minor B Football Final ended in a dramatic fashion on Sunday morning with a late injury time point from Eoinín Ó Cualáin captured the spoils for An Cheathrú Rua and broke the hearts of Monivea Abbey.

The early throw in time of 11am in Pearse Stadium did not deter the large travelling support from both parishes who turned up in vast numbers for this intriguing final. End to end from start to finish, it was a great advertisement for underage football in the county.

Both sides played the game as it should be played and, in the end, it was a pity there had to be a loser. Indeed, the decider looked destined for extra time before the late winner arrived three minutes into added on time.

An Cheathrú Rua started the contest brightly taking the game to Monivea Abbey in the early stages. They opened the scoring after only 40 seconds when Pat Ó Murchú fired over after good build up play from the throw-in. Showing early signs of nerves, Monivea Abbey settled into the pace of the action, and it was their inspirational captain at centre back Jack Finn who burst forward to score a fine levelling point on eight minutes.

However, the next 15 minutes would be dominated by the winners who began to excel in most sectors. Three unanswered strikes from Eoinín Ó Cualáin, Kieran Mac Diarmada and Conaill  Ó Conghaile saw them open significant daylight between the teams.

Monivea Abbey needed something before the break and were rewarded with a late point from corner forward Eanna Dolan who sent a beauty between the posts. After a low scoring first half, An Cheathrú Rua’s advantage was just two points and this final was still very much in the balance.

An early second half point for the Gaeltacht side from Ryan Ó Domhnail pushed the gap out to three once more. Monivea Abbey manager Mak Harrison made a number of changes in endeavouring to change the course of this final. Two frees from busy corner forward Eanna Dolan reduced the gap to the minimum with 12 minutes to go.

Pictured: Cormac Furey of Monivea/Abbey eyes up his options against Conaill Ó Conghaile of An Cheathrú Rua during Sunday's County Minor B Football Final at Pearse Stadium. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.