Just four weeks after meeting in the Minor Co League Final, Spa and Glenflesk did battle again on Monday night in the East Region Minor League Division 2 Final.
After a toss for venue, Spa made the short journey to Glenflesk and supporters were treated to another cracking final between these two sides, with the game in the melting pot right up to the final whistle.
Before the game began, both teams and the referee lined up for a minutes silence to remember two former players who passed away recently, Spa's Tom Morris RIP and Glenflesk's Conor Daly RIP.
Spa started the game well and within the first few minutes had three scores on the board from Luke O'Neill, Timmy Moynihan and Aidan Cronin. Callum Cronin opened the Glenflesk account and shortly after Aidan Cronin and Eoghan Kelly swapped scores. The first goal of the game came in the 11th minute, Timmy Moynihan on a brilliant run right through the Glenflesk defence and he blasted the ball to the back of the net. Two points from the outstanding Aidan Cronin followed while Glenflesk added two points of their own at the other end from Darragh O'Connell (f) and Callum Cronin (f) to make it Spa 1-6 Glenflesk 0-4 at the end of the first quarter.
Glenflesk had a much better second quarter, and after two more Spa points from Timmy Moynihan, the first Glenflesk goal came in the 20th minute, Eoghan Kelly slotting past the Spa keeper. They nearly had two more green flags but some superb Spa defending denied them, Emmet Spillane making a vital clearance from the goal line in injury time and David O'Sullivan with a great block to send the ball out for a '45. Jamie Moynihan added one more point for the home side before the break, and at half time Spa were leading at 1-8 to 1-6.
As the second half began, Aidan Cronin and Timmy Moynihan extended that Spa lead but Glenflesk were soon threatening the goal again, Emmett Spillane once more with a brilliant save. Callum Cronin and Evan Lucey pointed for Glenflesk to reduce the gap and in the 42nd minute they took the lead for the first time when Callum Cronin made a burst for the goal line and lobbed the keeper to make it Spa 1-10 Glenflesk 2-8.
Aidan Cronin pointed a free to draw the sides level, and then Aidan and Evan Lucey swapped scores to keep it level at 1-12 to 2-9 in the 50th minute. Glenflesk yet again threatened the Spa goal, this time the goal shot edging just inches wide. Callum Cronin put Glenflesk ahead once more but a brilliant pointed free from Aidan Cronin soon made it level again with just five minutes left on the clock. Aidan again with a great score put Spa ahead and Luke Doolan gave Spa a two point advantage shortly after.
With just two points separating the sides in injury time, the most dangerous of leads, there was a fierce intensity for the final minutes. In the third minute of injury time Glenflesk were reduced to 14 men, but just two minutes later Spa also saw black and were down to 14 men. Glenflesk had one final attack and aimed straight for goal with both teams packing the goal area, but Spa emerged from the scramble in possession and as they did, the final whistle blew.
East Kerry Board Chairman Johnny Brosnan presented the Cup to Spa Captain Timmy Moynihan after the game.
Congrats to our minor team on a great win in a highly competitive and entertaining final and also well done to our minor management team of Paul Casey, James Fitzgerald, Eoin Fitzgerald and Des Spillane.
Spa Panel: Emmet Spillane, Donal Hickey, Evan O'Neill, Chris Healy, David O'Sullivan, Danny Coffey, Aaron O'Connor, Oran O'Neill, Cian Russell, Joey McCarthy, Ryan McCarthy, Timmy Moynihan (1-4(2f)), Cormac Walsh, Oran Daly, Luke O'Neill (0-1), Aidan Cronin (0-9(5f)), Darragh Brosnan, Fionn Daly, Luke Doolan (0-1), Kalvin O'Sullivan, Shane O'Sullivan
Glenflesk Panel: Liam O'Donoghue, Brian O'Connor, Ignatius O'Leary, Diarmuid Furlong, Cormac Tangney, Eoghan Kelly (1-1), Darragh O'Connell (0-1f), Jamie Moynihan (0-1), Darragh McCormack, James O'Connor, Evan Lucey (0-2), Gearoid Healy, Pearce Moynihan, Callum Cronin (1-5(5f)), Shane O'Donoghue, Oisin Lynch, Aaron Murphy, Evan Kenneally, Jack Rudden, Fionn Dineen
Referee: Jim O'Connor (Scartagin)
Photos: Anne Holland
