Charlestown Sarsfields won their third East Mayo Under-16 B title in a
row with a hard fought 1-10 to 1-7 over Ballaghdereen in an exciting final
played at the Kilmovee G.A.A. grounds recently.
The Sarsfields had to go to the bottom of the well to eke out the
victory as Ballaghdereen brought lots of passion and intensity to the paddock
and were in the game right up until the last kick.
The game was always a contest save for the opening fifteen
minutes when it looked as if the Sarsfields were going to win in a canter such
was the dominance and authority they were exuding.
Early points from James Conway, Niall Towey, Mark Lowther and
Sean Kilroy had them in firm control with Ballaghdereen mustering just two in
reply.
The Sarsfields looked to have turned the screw midway through
the half when Niall Towey raced through the heart of the Ballagh defence and
slammed a terrific shot to the rook of the net to put the green and white five
clear with the goal the result of some intricate play involving James Conway
and Towey .

Ballagh replied with a point from their ace full forward who
accounted for all of his side`s 1-7 tally and was always a threat when the ball
arrived deep into the heart of the Sarsfields defence.
The Sarsfields were in a rich vein of form however and two excellent
points from Sean Kilroy and Conor McArdle left them 1-6 to 0-3 in front with
seven left on the clock.
Indeed the Sarsfields lead could have been much greater but for some
errant shooting as they kicked eight first half wides many of which were from
good scoring positions.
Ballaghdereen`s challenge ignited in the final stages of a frantic first
half as they hit the last four scores to whittle the Sarsfields lead down to two
which left the game beautifully poised as the green and white went into the
interval just two clear having lost their way somewhat in the closing minutes of
a topsy turvy first period.
The second half was an enthralling affair as both teams stated their
cases for success. Ballaghdereen made the initial thrust when their full forward
slipped inside the Sarsfields cover to blast the ball to the net to put them one
in front for the first time in the match.
The Sarsfields were struggling to impose themselves as scores
became increasingly hard to come by. Ballaghdereen were keeping the
Sarsfields forward line at bay with some intelligent defending while the
Sarsfields management made a crucial positional change when Daniel
Harrington was switched to full back and he put the shackles on the
Ballaghdereen dangerman and allowed him little or no latitude in front of goal.
The green and white were beginning to assert themselves in the
middle mainly through the promptings of Niall Towey and Michael Marren but
the scores they so craved were slow in arriving as chances were frittered away
with alarming regularity.
Sean Kilroy was the man to step forward for the Sarsfields however
as he pinged over two beauties in quick succession to edge the Sarsfields one
in front. Mark Lowther raced forward from wing back to clip over a superb
score for the green and white as, finally, it looked as if they had weathered
the Ballagh storm.
Another good point from James Conway five minutes from time put
the Sarsfields three clear with momentum firmly with the green and white.
Ballaghdereen were far from finished however as they remained a threat in

attack and they very nearly forced a replay but for a brilliant save from
Sarsfields goalkeeper Ryan Maye who kept his goal intact with some wonderful
agility.
That was to be Ballagh`s last throw of the dice however as referee
Frank Flynn sounded the final whistle seconds later much to the relief and joy
of all connected with the Sarsfields team and panel. They have played much
better in previous rounds but got the job done albeit in industrious and
workmanlike fashion in a performance with nerves and the tension of the
occasion getting the better of players on both sides. .
The green and white had enough steel however to get over the line
with Ryan Maye, Daniel Harington, Eoin Flannery, Adam McGowan, Mark
Lowther Conor Gavaghan, Gavin Honeyman and Alex Cullen excelling in
defence as they got to grips with a slick and dangerous Ballagh attack after
some early second half scares.
The tireless and energetic Niall Towey was perpetual motion in the
centre of the field and worked his socks off to drive the Sarsfields forward at all
times with Michael Marren offering good support and winning a plentiful
supply of possession.
In attack Sean Kilroy was the ace marksman as he fired over four classic
points from play. James Conway was always a threat on the edge of the square
and hit two good points while Conor McArdle, Sean Gallagher, Eoin McQuillen
had some good moments as did subs Paddy Joe Dunleavy , Denis Stephens and
Tadhg Horkan. The other panel members were Kyle McLoughlin, Craig Buckley,
Dylan McGuinness and Michael Honeyman.
Captain Niall Towey was presented with the cup amidst great scenes of
jubilation and celebration in the Sarsfields camp.
Well done to the management team of Tommy Harrington, James Kilroy
and Alan Woods who got the best out of the talent available to them. They had
them in good physical shape and the lads showed lots of character and
tenacity to dig out a result in a game that looked to be going away for them at
times. The management have a good rapport with the lads and this was very
evident when the game was there to be won as it was the Sarsfields who found
the inspiration to cap a good night`s work for the all involved.