Mayo's Ardleathmaigh claim Connacht under-17 (B) club title

Ardleathmaigh recorded a memorable and historic victory as they defeated St. James’ 2-13 to 2-11 in the FBD Connacht Club Under 17 (B) Football Championship Final, held at the Centre of Excellence in Bekan.

The match was played at a high-octane pace, and the result was in the balance up until the sounding of the full-time whistle.

The Ardagh, Lahardane MacHales and Moygownagh amalgamated club began the first half brightly and they notched a crucial goal after 12 minutes. A side-line ball from Cillian Reilly found Conor Carey and the latter drove home an unstoppable effort past Evan Molloy which mustered a 1-3 to 0-2 lead for the Mayo side.

St. James’ tried to get back into the game and their full-forward Shane Fahy was always trying to find that vital pocket of space, and his free on 24 minutes reduced the deficit to five points, 1-5 to 0-3.

However, Ardleathmaigh stuck to their game plan, and they added a second green flagged effort on 27 minutes. In what was a free-flowing move, Ardleathmaigh’s Carey spotted the timely run of Declan Moran, and the latter palmed the ball to the back of the net.

The Galway city side ended the half the sharper though, and two frees from Fahy, one of which was a two-pointer, reduced the arrears to five points at the interval, 2-5 to 0-6.

A positive start to the second period was imperative for St. James’, yet it was Ardleathmaigh who began the half the sharper and singles from Reilly, Gallagher, Tadhg Coyne and Carey (free) gleaned a 2-9 to 0-6 lead.

However, a brave St. James’ refused to wilt and a majestic two-pointer free from Fahy was buttressed by a goal from his team-mate Dara McGrath. Fahy then landed a free on 42 minutes, and suddenly the deficit was reduced to just three points, 2-9 to 1-9.

The Ardleathmaigh game plan appeared to be unravelling, nevertheless the north Mayo side notched a huge score when the influential Carey guided over a peach of a two-pointer on 48 minutes.

The enthralling nature of the tie continued apace, and St. James’ added their second goal of the joust on 50 minutes when Alan Corcoran’s strike rustled the back of the net.

Trailing by just two points, 2-11 to 2-9, a gallant St. James’ upped the tempo during the final moments of the contest, however, Gallagher’s late point for Ardleathmaigh sealed the deal for his team-mates.