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Our U14 footballers were seconds away from landing the Thomas Devlin Car Sales League Shield on Sunday past against a resilient Sean Stinsons at St.Enda’s, but cruelly lost out when Stinsons second half substitute Ciaran McAleese toe-poked to the back of the Rasharkin net, much to the disappointment of the sizable St.Mary’s contingent to snatch a slender one point victory. A spirited display from the young Naomh Muire boys saw them pull back a four point deficit midway through the second term to lead by two going into the last minute of normal time before the sucker blow.

A soggy Hightown Road venue provided the setting for all three South West U14 Championship finals, St.Mary’s V Sean Stinsons started proceedings with Tir na nOg clubman Sean McAtamney on the whistle. The Dreen lads got away first through a pointed effort from team captain Odhran McGarrell. Tiernan O’Boyle got in on the act landing back to back points, the second a mighty 45 yard kick. However, the Bann siders finished the half strongest to raise the white flag four times to leave half time scoreline - St.Mary’s Rasharkin 0-3 Sean Stinsons 0-6.

Stinsons opened up a four point lead three minutes into the second period, but this seemed to rally our young charges who went on to completely dominate the final quarter scoring 1-3 without reply and open up at two point lead with two minutes on the clock. Then heartbreak for the young men struck inside the last minute when Stinsons saved victory from the jaws of defeat following a major from Ciaran McAleese.

This was a harsh way to lose any fixture, particularly a decider, although it’s not much consolation our young lads can take a great deal from this performance. They showed incredible determination and character throughout, an honest group of players who play hard quality football for each other, indeed many adult teams could learn from this group. They have done themselves, their coaches, the club and their families proud. I feel it mustn’t go unmentioned the tremendous display of sportsmanship at the end of the game forming a guard of honor for the victorious Sean Stinsons team after losing the fixture in such a manner.

Paddy Kelly, Aidan McMullan, Donal McLernon and Enda McFerran deserve much credit for these guys, well done one and all.

U14 Panel 2015: Ethan McAfee, Ryan McKenna, Rory Kelly, Rory Telfer, James Higgins, Ruairi Hawtorn, Calum Condron, Colm Kennedy and Ruairi O’Boyle, Odhran McGarrell, Liam Quigg, Tiernan O’Boyle, Ethan McMullan, Christopher McNally, Aidan McFerran, Cathal Darragh, Tiernan Conor Steele, Darrach Duffin and Sean McKay.