Match Report-South Board U13 Semi-Final

Cúchulainn Gaels, Kildangan GAA underage amalgamation with Athgarvan secured a spot in the South Board U13 Division 2 final for the second time in as many years, with a four point win over Ellistown Sunday. The final score of 2:05 to 1:04 is a fair reflection of the days proceedings, with both teams playing an open, lively style of football. A difficult cross field wind made points hard to come by, resulting in a low scoring game.

Ellistown started the best and had two points on the board, both by half forward Eoin O'Loughlin, before the Gaels registered their first score, a point from J.B Murphy. The sides traded wides, then in the move of the half Ryan Moran secured possession and buried the ball in the back of the Ellistown net, only for play to be brought back for an earlier free on Ryan, the referee not allowing advantage. The resultant free skimmed the side of the upright before going wide. Justice prevailed, as in the next move Cormac O'Mahony scored a superb point to tie the game at two all. The Gaels were attacking in waves, however finishing was a problem as several wides from score-able positions let Ellistown off the hook. Midway through the half, Ryan Moran popped over the simplest of points, followed by a cracker of a goal when Luke Barry secured possession and selflessly laid off to Moran who made no mistake in dispatching the ball to the back of the Ellistown net. Several more Gaels wides left the half time score 1:03 to 0:02 in favour of the home side.

Ellistown, after an extended half-time break scored the first point of the second half, the Gaels added another to the tally. Ellistown were looking dangerous, none more so than full forward Darren Kelly. Kelly made no mistake when good mid-field play left him one on one with the Gaels keeper Daniel Cawley, the Ellistown man dispatching the ball to the back of the Cúchulainn Gaels net to leave the minimum between the sides. The game was now being played at a ferocious intensity, with both sets of backs defending for all they were worth, none more so than Gaels centre half back Josh Clinton. With the thinnest of margins it was down to which team wanted it most and when Clinton won the ball and passed off to Jordan Kaye it proved decisive. Kaye took the ball up the left wing at speed, passed off to Robert Hanley and from point blank range Hanley gave the Ellistown keeper no chance, the margin back to four.

Ellistown had time for one more attack, a point the result, this was cancelled by a JB point on the stroke of full time to leave the score 2:05 to 1:04.

For Cúchulainn Gaels, Robert Hanley and Ryan Moran featured prominently, along with centre back Josh Clinton, JB Murphy, and Cormac O'Mahony in midfield. Jordan Kaye and Stephen Keogh also played their part, especially when the game was turning in Ellistowns favour.

For Ellistown Darren Kelly at full forward was their danger man, others to feature were midfielder "Like", Tom Byrne, Noel Lawlor at full back and Eoin O'Loughlin who contributed three points to their final tally.

Scorers for Cúchulainn Gaels: Ryan Moran (1:1), Robert Hanley (1:0), JB (2), Fergal(1) and Cormac (1)

The final at a venue and date to be decided will pit Cúchulainn Gaels against Milltown. In the meantime Cúchulainn Gaels will meet Raheens in the All County Under 13 Div 2 Shield final, Sunday 25 at 11am in Kildangan.