Our Spa minors contested their third final of the year and this time it was the County Minor B Club Championship Final against Listowel Emmets. After two entertaining qualifying rounds, we travelled to Ballymacelligott GAA grounds on Saturday afternoon. Having met earlier in the year in the Minor Co League, and missing a couple of regulars, the team and management knew there was a big task ahead of them. In the first half both sides were evenly matched and went in level at the break, but a strong performance from the north Kerry side in the second half secured their victory by 0-9 to 3-10.
It was point for point in the opening quarter, Joey McCarthy opening the scoring with a lovely point before Aaron Carey and Robert Heffernan replied for Listowel. Timothy Moynihan curled a lovely shot just inside the post, and added another two minutes later but Robert Heffernan punched over the next Listowel point to level the sides at 0-3 each. The first Listowel goal game in the 19th minute from midfielder Eddie Healy. Timothy Moynihan and Aaron Carey swapped scores before Spa were soon descending on the Listowel goal, Luke O’Neill’s effort flying just left of the post. Spa finished the half strongly, Timothy Moynihan (2) and Luke O’Neill points making it 0-7 to 1-4 at half time.
On the restart Conor Sweeney and Aaron Carey (2) quickly edged Listowel in front before their second goal in the 42rd minute, corner forward Conor Sweeney raising the green flag. Luke O’Neill responded with a point for Spa, but Listowel had began to dominate the game and Aaron Carey and Conor Sweeney had two more points on the board. Timothy Moynihan kicked one final point for Spa but Listowel hit their third goal on 60 minutes, Aaron Carey the goal scorer and then Aaron kicked one final point before the final whistle, Listowel Emmets winning by 0-9 to 3-10. Congratulations to Listowel Emmets.
Hard luck to the team and the management of Paul Casey, Des Spillane, Adrian McCarthy, Denis Doolan and Mike Finnegan and wishing all our injured players a speedy recovery. Next competition for our minor squad is due be confirmed shortly.
Spa: Emmet Spillane, Donal Hickey, Evan O’Neill, Darragh Brosnan, Aaron O’Connor, Danny Coffey, Shane O’Sullivan, Oran O’Neill, Timothy Moynihan (0-6), Fionn Daly, Luke O’Neill (0-2), Joey McCarthy (0-1), Luke Doolan, Oran Daly, David O’Sullivan. Subs: Chris Healy, Cormac Walsh, Eric Moriarty, Cian Russell
Listowel Emmets: Jack Enright, Thomas Kelly, Aindreas Rodriguez, Tristan Barry, Sanuel Sheehan, Patrick Walsh, Ben Carey, Aaron Kennelly, Eddie Healy (1-0), John Carmody, Jack Chute, Aidan Chute, Aaron Carey (1-6), Robert Heffernan (0-2), Conor Sweeney (1-2)
Referee: Jim O’Connor (Scartaglin)