Mícheál Breathnach end 49-year wait for Minor A Football title
MÍCHEÁL BREATHNACH dethroned back-to-back champions Oranmore-Maree 3-14 to 2-10 in a Minor A final full of twists and turns on Sunday in Pearse Stadium. Goals from Oliver Ó Súilleabháin, Eoin Ó Gionnáin and Fionnán Ó Neachtain secured the Indreabhán club’s first honour won at this grade since their successive titles in 1976 and 1977.
The talented Mícheál Breathnach squad included six Galway minor representatives this season: Oisín Mahon, Rónán Ó Neachtain, Eoin Ó Gionnáin, Oliver Ó Súilleabháin, Oisín Ó Neachtain and Jamie Ó Diollúin. Most of the panel also compete at ‘A’ grade in hurling, while nine players started last year’s U17 B1 championship win over Ahascragh-Fohenagh, underscoring a winning habit over several campaigns.
Oranmore-Maree also boast a strong dual contingent, with ten starters featuring in their semi-final win over Turloughmore ahead of a bid for a fourth Minor A hurling crown in five seasons against Craughwell this weekend. The club recently claimed a third consecutive U19 A football title against Corofin, with Eoin Healy and Galway minor panellists Joey Cullinane and Aaron Hanrahan featuring.
The sides drew in the group stage before Mícheál Breathnach triumphed 1-23 to 2-10 in the West Board final, with Oranmore-Maree losing Galway minor hurling captain Gus Lohan to injury early on.
The U17 C final curtain-raiser went to extra-time before Caltra dramatically overcame Clifden. The wait proved worthwhile as this was a contest fought over inches, with the sides separated by just a point entering the final ten minutes.
Stephen Black was outstanding for Oranmore-Maree and opened the game’s scoring in the first minute. Ó Diollúin quickly reversed the lead with his impressive range, while Aaron Hanrahan levelled matters with a free he had earned himself.
Oliver Ó Súilleabháin’s long-range free arced dangerously and bounced into the net. That lead lasted just three minutes as Darren Joyce’s charges launched counter attacks. Cullinane was denied by Kian Ó Suilleabháin, before Cian Cusack goaled to level the sides for the third time, 1-2 each after 12 minutes.
The scoring slowed as Ó Diollúin and Hanrahan exchanged points ten minutes apart. Oranmore-Maree had a series of misses, allowing Oisín Ó Neachtain, scorer of 0-10 in the previous meeting, to punish them before Jamie Ó Diollúin raised an orange flag with a free.
Hanrahan recorded his third point to conclude the half’s scoring as Mícheál Breathnach maintained a 1-6 to 1-4 interval advantage.
Little changed in the third quarter as the teams remained well matched. Ó Neachtain converted frees on two occasions to protect the Connemara side’s lead, while Fionnán Ó Neachtain demonstrated both skill and strength to score from play. Lohan, Black and Jack Akman all pointed as Oranmore-Maree trailed by two.
Eoin Ó Gionnáin provided Mícheál Breathnach with their second goal after 45 minutes, increasing their advantage to five with a low finish. But as quickly as they had responded to the first goal conceded, Oranmore-Maree hit back with one of their own within three minutes. Hanrahan converted a free between the two goals, before Cian Mannion and Cusack combined to set up Black for an excellent finish. The reigning champions trailed by just a point once again.
Tomás Ó Neachtain’s charges refused to relinquish their lead however, and outshot their opposition 1-5 to 0-2 in the final ten minutes.
Their third and final goal arrived in the 58th minute. They then led 2-13 to 2-9, before turning over an Oranmore-Maree kickout. Ó Diollúin laid it off to Fionnán Ó Neachtain who goaled emphatically.
Though Black and Hanrahan kicked late responses for Oranmore-Maree, substitute Mártan Ó Cualáin, Ó Neachtain (free), Ó Gionnáin, Ó Diollúin (free) and De Búrca all pointed to ensure the McHugh Memorial Cup headed west of the city.
Mícheál Breathnach impressively overcame stern opposition. It’s an encouraging time for the club, and many of their young stars from this memorable win will also line out against Annaghdown in the U19 B county final next Wednesday.
Mícheál Breathnach: K Ó Suilleabháin; C Ó Braonain, O Mahon, E Norman; R Ó Neachtain, S Ó Neachtain (captain), C De Búrca (0-1); E Ó Gionnáin (1-1), O Ó Súilleabháin (1-0, 1-0 free); M Mac Aodha, O Ó Neachtain (0-4, 0-3 frees), J Ó Diollúin (0-6, one 0-2 free, 0-3 frees); C Ó Thuathail, F Ó Neachtain (1-1), A Ó Donnacha. Subs: M Ó Cualáin (0-1) for Ó Donnacha (36mins); L Ó Gradaigh for Ó Thuathail (47mins); D Ó Frighil for Mac Aodha (59mins).
Oranmore-Maree: B Kearney; Y Abdelmagied, L O’Halloran, L Dilleen; S Joyce, G Lohan (0-1), C Cusack (1-0); C Hanniffy, E Healy (captain); S Black (1-3), J Cullinane, C Mannion; J Akman (0-1), A Hanrahan (0-5, 0-2 frees), D Lawless. Subs: S Cleare for Lawless (52mins); R Griffin for Akman (57mins).
Referee: James Molloy.