Camogs: Clare V Down Sunday 23rd April

Report by : James Gallagher

All Ireland U-16 vocational schools Final: St. Malachys High School (Castlewellan) 2-14 P.S. Sliabh Lucra (Rathmore) 2-7

 
Captain, Paul McPolin with the All-Ireland Cup

At Dr. Cullen park, Carlow the U-16 footballers of St. Malachys High School Castlewellan won the All Ireland U-16 vocational schools title for the second time in itheir history with a comprehensive victory over the Munster champions, Rathmore (Kerry). Right from the throw - in the Castlewellan team were in control of this game and it was obvious from the early stages that there was only going to be one winner. St. Malachys were superior in all departments and the final scoreline does not really do them justice as the Rathmore goals came in the dying minutes of the game. This was a complete team performance from a well prepared Castlewellan outfit who played with great flair throughout the hour, displaying all the attributes for which  Down football is well renowned.

What we have we keep - Gerard McAnulty passes to Paul McPolin [No 8]

Captain Paul McPolin opened the scoring with a point in the opening minute and then Paul Devlin converted a close in free in the 4^th minute. In the 6^th minute Paul McPolin showed great vision to slice open the Rathmore defence with a brilliant pass to Paul Devlin who strode through to beat the Rathmore ‘keeper from close range. St. Malachys continued their onslaught which yielded another point from Paul McPolin and then a Gerard Rice goal when

The corner forward unhinged the Kerry defence to beat the ‘keeper with a terrific shot into the top right corner of the net .Rathmore eventually lifted the siege and had points from Donal Murphy and Eoin Lawlor in the 13^th and 15^th minutes. St. Malachys quickly cancelled out these scores however with points from Colm Flanagan (0-2) and Paul Devlin (0-1). A good individual effort from midfielder Jerry O’Connor was followed by another point for Rathmore from Mark Kelliher but just before the break Paul McPolin sent over to leave the half-time score St. Malachys 2-7 Rathmore 0-4.

Paul McPolin attempts an accurate pass

In the early stages of the second half Rathmore threatened briefly with points from half-back George O’Keefe and corner forward Eoin Lawlor but St. Malachys refused to be ruffled and continued to play an intelligent brand of football. Paul Devlin hit two marvellous scores in the 37^th and 40^th minutes before Brian Kelliher replied with a point for the Kerry side. The Castlewellan lads then hit five  unanswered points in a devastating eight minute spell of attacking football with the scores coming from Gerard Smyth, Paul McPolin, Conor Flanagan, Colm Flanagan, and Paul Devlin. This left the Down lads 13 points in front and the All Ireland title was heading North. With time virtually up Rathmore eventually breached the magnificent St. Malachys rearguard and snatched two late consolation goals from George O’Keefe and David Casey.

Gerard Rice prepares to take on his man

This was a superb team performance from a well coached and well prepared St. Malachys outfit. The football they played was of an outstanding quality and with a swagger normally associated with Down teams in All Ireland Finals. The defeated Rathmore team had some fine individual performers but overall they just couldn’t match the teamwork and skill displayed by the winners.

A great victory for St. Malachys and for Down football in general. Congratulations to team manager PJ McGee who was also at the helm when St. Malachys won their first All Ireland U-16 title in 1982 and also to his fellow mentors Oliver Rooney, Jim Burns and Phil Hodge.

St. Malachy's - All-Ireland U-16 Champions '06

 
Happy group of winners

St. Malachys Team and Scorers: Rory Morgan, David Flanagan, David Milling, Fearghal McLaughlin, Miceal Devlin, Gerard McAnulty, Barry Kane, Paul McPolin-Capt (0-4), Conor Flanagan (0-1), Gerard Smyth (0-1), Ryan Flanagan, Donal McKibben, Gerard Rice (1-0), Colm Flanagan (0-3), Paul Devlin (1-5)

Subs Used: Noel McPolin, Conor Branniff

Rathmore Team and Scorers: Pat Noonan, Colm Kelly, Conor O’Sullivan, Philip Kelly, George O’Keefe (1-1), Dermot Hickey, Andrew O’Sullivan, David Casey (1-0), Jerry O’Connor (0-1), Mark Kelliher ()-1), Brian Kelliher (0-1), Donal Murphy (0-1), Eoin Lawlor (0-2), Paul Reen, Stephen O’Dononoghue

Subs Used: Diarmuid Goulding, Matthew Daly, William O’Connor, Padraig O’Leary

Brothers David & Colm Flanagan with the All-Ireland Cup