Maigh Cuilinn 3-7

Claregalway 1-12

Ivan Smyth at Duggan Park

MAIGH Cuilinn survived a late Claregalway onslaught in extra time as they were crowned Minor A champions for the first time since 2013 at Duggan Park on Saturday.

The Gaeltacht side secured their third ever county title at this grade as they dethroned the holders in a rip roaring decider. With Maigh Cuilinn pegged back late on by an Éanna Monaghan free, the winners showed no shortage of resolve to engineer a one point lead by the sixth minute of extra time. Between added time at the end of both halves, they kept Claregalway scoreless for the final 17 minutes of the contest.

Maigh Cuilinn manager Martin Cooke, whose son Peter played a key role in the club’s first ever Connacht senior title the follwoing day, managed to accurately sum up the palpable tension at the end of normal time and in the 20 plus minutes that followed. “It’s an amazing day for Maigh Cuilinn. There’s a reason my hair is as grey as what it is and it isn’t about having four children in their 20s, it’s about managing football teams.”

Although the nerves of every supporter in Duggan Park were tested as Maigh Cuilinn held on desperately to a one point lead, Cooke was quick to hail the resolve shown by his side. “These guys are amazing. We have 35 guys on the panel. They give you everything. Every time their character is questioned, and they have to go to the well again they go there. They went there time and again today.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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