On a fine evening at Murt Scott Park, Ballyhar hosted table toppers St Brendans in their last game of the season. It was a bid to knock them off their perch at the top of the U14 premier table.
Evidence of the long hard season was evident by the fact that just 12 fit players were available on the evening for Ballyhar. Nevertheless, the lads who togged out gave it everything and were unlucky not to get something from the game on the night.
From the outset, Ballhar brought an intensity to the game with the defence of Adam Fleming, Jamie O'Brien, Dáire Cornally and Brendán Allman closing down and breaking up attacks on a consistent basis. The midfield worked tirelessly, and halfway through the first half, Ryan Quilter was unlucky to see a driving shot rattle off the crossbar. Despite some great work, Ballyhar were unlucky to go a goal down at the break as St. Brendans were to find the back of tge net, 5 minutes before halftime. H/T 0-1
The lads came out with determination and passion in the second half, threatening on a number of occasions down both wings,with Dylan Fitzgerald and Ryan Vickers to the fore. Up front, Alex Finn was linking well with the midfield, with Sean O Leary and Jamie Murphy working tirelessly. St Brendans continued to pose a threat, and a mixture of good defending and excellent saves by Daniel Duggan in goals kept them at bay. At stages in the second half, it was end to end stuff and credit to both teams on the night who served up an excellent and thrilling game of football.
Despite creating a number of chances, Ballyhar could not get back on terms, and St Brendans took the points and with it, the U14 Premier title, with Ballyhar finishing an excellent second in their first season at this level. Congrats to St. Brendans.F/T 0-1
On the evening, it was very difficult to pick a man of match as all the lads played excellently. A special mention for Daniel Duggan in goals and Dáire at centre back, but this week Jamie O'Brien, who was the other half of the steong centre back pairing, gets the nod for his great display in defence.
As the season comes to an end we want to thank all the players on the panel, with a special mention to the u13 lads who helped us throughout the season when called upon - Alex Finn, Calum Templeman and Adam Fleming.