Five star success for Newport Gaels
North Tipperary U14 'A' Football Final
Newport Gaels 5-11
Kildangan 2-3

by Liam Hogan in Portroe.

Newport Gaels powered their way to win the North U14 'A' football final when they defeated Kildangan last Monday evening week.

The Gaels (Newport and Ballinahinch) had strength all over the park with the powerful quartet of Cory Mooney, Jack Delahunty, Dara Carroll and Kealan Floyd forming the foundation for the win.
From the outset, the trio put Kildangan to the test and playing with the breeze in the opener they took a 3-7 to 1-2 half time lead. The size of the lead could have been much greater but for the magnificence of Kildangan goalkeeper, Tommy Holland. Team captain, Cory Mooney led the way with the opening point after two minutes and two minutes later, Kealan Floyd had a goal when his shot dipped under the crossbar.

But Kildangan looked to have recovered when Declan McGrath lobbed the Newport keeper for a goal after hard work by Ronan Ducie on the right wing. But Newport Gaels were very strong and two further points by Kealan Floyd gave enhanced their grip. Then in the ninth minute, Aaron O'Neill had their second goal after the Kildangan defence was stretched.

Jack Delahunty added a point but Kildangan began to recover when Dan O'Meara and Darren Ryan narrowed the deficit. The crossbar denied Kildangan and Ciaran Kelly had an effort go wide of the upright. Bryan McLoughney made a difference when switched to midfield.

But Newport were always in a position to score. Kevin Connolly was always available on the left wing and he stepped up to point. Another move saw Dara Carroll leave his midfield berth to score a brilliant point from the right wing.
With half time approaching, Newport remained camped in the Kildangan half as Carroll soloed through the defence and found an unmarked Michael O'Gorman who blasted past Holland. More Newport pressure forced Holland to make a great save and a forty five resulted which Dara Carroll scored to give his team an eleven point lead at the break.
After the interval, Newport Gaels extended their lead when Dara Carroll's free deceived Holland for a fourth goal. Yet, Kildangan's spirit never dipped but their attacks met a stiff resistance in the Newport defence where Cian Flanagan, Cory Mooney and Harry Sheehy never gave way.
Newport never lost sight of their attacking ploys and nine minutes into the half, Aaron O'Neill had their fifth goal. Four unanswered points from Carroll, free and 45 plus two more Connolly points from play left the outcome beyond doubt.

True to form, Kildangan's attacking spirit never went away and after an Eoin Sharkey pointed, the hard working Declan McGrath had his second goal, this time from a free.
Scorers: Dara Carroll 1-04 (2f, 2 45's), Aaron Floyd 2-0; Kealon Floyd 1-2; Kevin Connolly 0-3; Michael Gorman 1-0; Cory Mooney, Jack Delahunty 0-1each.

Team: Jonathon Coyle; Cathal Floyd, Sean Moloney, Paul Hogan; Cian Flanagan, Cory Mooney (Capt), Harry Sheehy; Jack Delahunty, Dara Carroll; Michael Gorman, Kealan Floyd, Kevin Connolly; Aaron O'Neill, Colin Floyd, Tiernan Ryan. Subs used: Sean Belfry, Ciaran ryan, Greg O'Gorman, Niall Harrington, Dade Richtar.