St. Aidan’s end 60 year wait for county Junior A title
St. Aidan's celebrate after their first county Junior A title in 60 years.
St. Aidan’s were crowned county Junior A champions for the first time since 1966 as they withstood a determined Ballinameen fightback.
Thomas Finneran’s side were deserving victors as their superior physicality and pace on the counter attack proved troublesome for Ballinameen throughout.
Even though they kicked 11 wides, St. Aidan’s’ three opening half goals paved the way for them to add another piece of silverware after claiming the Tansey Cup in the summer. It means a third county title returning to Ballyforan and the surrounding areas after the Four Roads hurlers and the Four Roads Junior LGFA team claimed silverware last weekend.
St. Aidan’s enjoyed the dream start as after just 48 seconds, Eoin Fallon managed to get inside the Ballinameen defence and rifle to the net to give the Ballyforan side the dream start. Dean Casey, who was tracked by Tommy Morris, helped his side fight back as his brace of scores ensured Ballinameen trailed by just 1-1 to 0-3 after the first quarter.
But, St. Aidan’s’ greater physicality and their pace on the counter was apparent throughout. Those qualities shone through as they bagged two goals inside 90 seconds to place clear daylight between the sides.
Keith Waldron earned his side a turnover in defence before a lightning quick counter culminated in Liam Óg Coyle squaring for Conor Morris to palm to the net. Once more, St. Aidan’s profited off turnover ball as a flowing move culminated in Jamie Kelly teeing up Fallon for his second major.
Even though St. Aidan’s kicked six opening half wides, a Liam Óg Coyle score left St. Aidan’s 3-2 to 0-3 up at half time. The winners appeared to be cruising when Adam Kenny and Rory Coyle (free) bolstered their lead out to nine points after 40 minutes.
But, to their credit Ballinameen came back with 0-4 without reply including a Ronan Garvin two-pointer. Dessie Carlos saw a goal chanced fly over during this period as the north Roscommon side began to get on top in midfield.
A Rory Coyle free stopped the rot but a Thomas McGrath effort on the counter-attack and a superb individual effort from David Wynne left three points between the sides approaching the 58th minute.
However, St. Aidan’s boosted by the energy from their bench responded as Player of the Match Gavin Meares kicked a settling score and when Liam Óg Coyle curled over a sweet effort, St. Aidan’s could toast their first county Junior A title in 60 years.
