Claremorris beats Beirne in extra time – GAA

Connacht Gold Primary JFC 'A' Final

Claremorris 2-15

Knockmore 1-13

(AET)

Paul O'Malley at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park

Claremorris are champions of the Primary Junior A after their striker Adam Beirne took control of the game late on and scored the 2-3 goal in extra time to secure the win.

It was a frustrating game for both sides: Knockmore missed 15 shots from start to finish and Claremorris wasted numerous scoring opportunities.

The first half was a slow one and both sides struggled to get going. Knockmore's Declan Melvin put them ahead after four minutes and Stephen McGreal responded immediately for Claremorris. Charlie Bourke then put Knockmore ahead before their opponents scored the next three unanswered goals through McGreal, Cathal Joyce and an Adam Beirne strike. Nathan Hardy and Fergal Keane responded to level the scores.

Bourke and Darragh Staunton put Knockmore ahead before Joyce equalised with a brace for Claremorris. Caolan Hopkins came off the bench to put Parish of the Backs ahead 30 seconds after coming on. Claremorris' Matthew McCormack made a good save from a close-range shot and then Adam Vahey levelled the game at one point.

Bourke and Hopkins were next to score for Knockmore and they looked to be in control in the closing stages. Dylan Coleman came off the bench to score two points, both in response to efforts from Cathal Joyce and Craig Cassidy.

Claremorris were not dead yet and were able to get within a point thanks to Johnny Cummins who fired over from close range after Brendan Walsh's shot was blocked. About 35 yards from goal Brian Quinn called a goal in stoppage time, staying cool and composed and firing the ball over the bar.

The first half of extra time was similar to the first half of normal time as both teams were slow to get going. Adam Beirne and Adam Battle scored for their respective teams to level the scores. Both teams were starting to feel tired but Beirne found new life for Claremorris.

Oran McNulty put them ahead 30 seconds into extra time before Beirne added another 40 seconds later. Beirne scored again to make it three points. Then Johnny Cummins found Beirne in space and he stayed calm and finished.

Knockmore were not out of the game yet and Peter Naughton responded with a brilliant goal. He stared at the Claremorris blockade on the pitch, went left, right, left again and hammered the ball into the net with his left foot.

Tadhg Staunton then sent a long-range shot into dangerous territory and every member of the Claremorris squad, management team and fans breathed a sigh of relief as the ball bounced over the bar. At the other end, Adam Beirne put an end to any thoughts of a penalty when he rounded the goalkeeper and put the ball back into the net.

Goalscorers – Claremorris: Adam Beirne 2-4 (0-1 m), Cathal Joyce 0-4 (1 f), Stephen McGreal 0-2, Adam Vahey, Craig Cassidy, Johnny Cummins, Brian Quinn (m) and Oran McNulty 0-1 each.

Knockmore: Peter Naughton 1-0, Charlie Bourke 0-3, Caolan Hopkins and Dylan Coleman 0-2 each, Declan Melvin, Nathan Hardy, Fergal Keane, Darragh Staunton, Adam Battle and Tadhg Staunton 0-1 each.

Claremorris: Alvin McCallig: Conor O'Brien, Darragh Fitzpatrick, Conor Howard: Dacin Feerick, Brian Quinn, Adam Vahey: Brian Gallagher, Mark Maloney: Cathal Joyce, Conor Diskin, Johnny Cummins: Stephen McGreal, Matthew McCormack, Adam Beirne. Substitutes: Mickey Mullins (for Diskin ht); Brendan Walsh and Craig Cassidy (for McGreal and Gallagher 39); Oran McNulty (for Feerick 46); Sean Niland (for Howard 53).

Knockmore: Ryan McDonnell: Martin Orme, Ryan Casey, David McHale: Mikey Lowther, Nathan Hardy, Keith Coleman: Darragh Staunton, Tadhg Staunton: Declan Melvin, Ronan Melvin, Charlie Bourke: Alan Loftus, Adam Naughton, Fergal Keane. Substitutes: Caolan Hopkins (for A Naughton 40); Adam Battle (for Loftus 46); Dylan Coleman (for Keane 51); Peter Naughton (for Lowther 53).

Reference: John Clancy (Eastern Gaels)