Spa and Glenflesk met in the Minor Co League Division 3 Final on Thursday night and after a highly entertaining and competitive game that went right down to the wire, Glenflesk came out on top.
Callum Cronin opened the scoring for Glenflesk, and Spa responded with points from Timmy Moynihan and Ryan McCarthy before Oran Daly's goal shot went just inches wide of the post. Callum Cronin added a free for Glenflesk to level it at 0-2 apiece before raising the green flag moments later, his penalty kicked initially saved by Emmet Spillane before he collected the rebound and rattled the net in the 12th minute. Gearoid Healy extended the Glenflesk advantage but Spa responded well, Luke O'Neill racing towards the Glenflesk goal line, his kick expertly skimming under the crossbar for the first Spa goal. Timmy Moynihan added another point to make it 1-3 to 1-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Callum Cronin added two more for Glenflesk before the break with Spa replying with points from Joey McCarthy and Timmy Moynhan. At half time the sides were level at 1-5 apiece.
Glenflesk had a great start to the second half and had an extra 1-2 on the board within 3 minutes, Evan Lucey and James Moynihan with points and Callum Cronin with a second goal. Spa responded brilliantly and a goal from Oran Daly brought them right back into the game, making the score 2-5 to 2-7. Callum Cronin and Aidan Cronin swapped points to make it 2-6 to 2-8 at the end of the third quarter.
Spa had a penalty opportunity well saved by Liam O'Donoghue in the 20th minute. Glenflesk responded quickly and were soon bearing down on the Spa goal again, Emmet Spillane denying them with a great block. Joey McCarthy and Aidan Cronin added points for Spa while Darragh O'Connell added a score for Glenflesk to make it Spa 2-8 Glenflesk 2-9 with just minutes remaining.
Oisin Lynch extended the Glenflesk lead before the referee called another penalty, Emmet Spillane in the Spa goal saving the initial goal shot but Jamie Moynihan collected the rebound and slotted past the keeper. As full time approached, Glenflesk had moved into a 3-10 to 2-8 lead, and the final whistle was blown shortly after.
Well done to our minor team and management, a great achievement to compete in the final with the result only decided in the final minutes of a closely contested and highly entertaining game. Our congratulations to Glenflesk on the win.
Spa Team: Emmet Spillane, Donal Hickey, Evan O'Neill, Darragh Brosnan, David O'Sullivan, Danny Coffey, Aaron O'Connor, Oran O'Neill, Cian Russell, Joey McCarthy, Ryan McCarthy, Timmy Moynihan (captain), Aidan Cronin, Oran Daly, Luke O'Neill. Subs: Cormac Walsh, Chris Healy, Fionn Daly, Luke Doolan
Glenflesk Team: Liam O'Donoghue, Cormac Tangney, Ignatius O'Leary, Diarmuid Furlong, Brian O'Connor, Darragh O'Connell, Gearoid Healy, Jamie Moynihan, Eoghan Kelly, James O'Connor, Evan Lucey, Darragh McCormack, Pearce Moynihan, Callum Cronin, Shane O'Donoghue. subs: Jack Rudden, Oisin Lynch, Fionn Dineen, Aaron Murphy, Evan Kenneally
Referee: Mike Morrissey (Kilcummin)
Photos: Anne Holland
