Oranmore-Maree 4-14

An Cheathrú Rua 0-11

The production line of talent continues out Oranmore-Maree way and last Wednesday evening at Pearse Stadium, the reigning county U-19 A champions continued their defence of their title with a comfortable success in the West Board final.

Backboned by eight players who were involved with the club’s Intermediate relegation semi-final win over Clifden the previous weekend, Oranmore-Maree carried way too much physical strength and ability against an An Cheathrú Rua side who lived off about a quarter of the possession of their opponents and, in the process, were never in a position to win the game.

With the likes of Harry Keady, James Murphy, Shay Rabbitte, and Ciaran McDonagh mopping up all the ball in the middle third of the pitch, they provided the perfect platform for a busy forward line to thrive on.

Oranmore-Maree laid the seeds for their success in the opening quarter after which they enjoyed a 1-7 to 0-1 advantage. They also made an impressive start to the second-half as they outscored the Connemara side by 1-5 to 0-1, and there was no way back for Páraic De Paor’s charges.

Two late goals in a minute in the latter stages just rubber-stamped their dominance, but despite Oranmore-Maree’s superiority, An Cheathrú Rua were to convert three two pointers in the closing stages to close the gap somewhat.

An Cheathrú Rua were competitive, but just could not get enough ball to an inside line of good players to display their talents in the best fashion possible. Conaill Ó Conghale, Fionan Ó Conghaile and Eoinin Ó Cualáin did the majority of their scoring, but credit also to an Oranmore-Maree full-back line which marshalled them well as they crowded the space and seldom gave them a clear sight of goal.

Oranmore-Maree had a forward line to envy and getting plenty of possession, they made the most of the opportunities that came their way. After a Neil De Paor free put them ahead, they struck for their first goal on four minutes when a McDonagh pass set up De Paor and after turning inside his marker, he buried a low shot past Seosamh Mac Donnacha.

McDonagh was quickly add their next point, before Eoinin Ó Cualáin got An Cheathru Rua off the mark with a pointed free. With the Connemara side continuously under pressure from their own kick-out, they were struggling to gain forward momentum, but there were no such issues for their opponents. McDonagh led the line very well with his distribution and his ability to find space and the next two scores were his reward.

Pictured: An Cheathrú Rua’s Colm Ó Loideáin is chased by Ciaran McDonagh and Alan Burke of Oranmore-Maree during last Wednesday’s West Board U-19 Football Final at Pearse Stadium. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.