Irishtown 0-13  Ballindine 2-6

Irishtown deservedly captured the Michael Mooney Jnr. Memorial Cup, after an entertaining St. Stephen’s Day clash against Ballindine in Davitt Park. The large attendance was also treated to a most enjoyable running commentary by an enthusiastic and emotional Liam Griffin, the former manager of the Irishtown team. Well done to all involved, especially JP Kirrane, who does Trojan work organising this annual event.

The game, played over three fifteen minute periods, was surprisingly slow to take off, with both sets of defenders on top in the opening third. Gerald Griffin, Colm Roche and William Freeley scored for Irishtown, with Ballindine replying via Pat Coyne and Keith Glynn, as Irishtown led by 0-3 to 0-2 at the first break.

The second third saw Irishtown add points from Fearghal McGrath, Michael Waldron, Seamus Roche (2), Johnno Clarke and Gerald Griffin (2) to take their tally to 0-10 with Ballindine adding just two points, from the lively Richie Kilkenny, to double their score to 0-4.

Ballindine started the final third most impressively with an Andrew Peters point and an opportunistic goal flicked home by Richie O Connor in the first three minutes. Points from John Huane and Fearghal McGrath in the 35^th and 36^th minutes steadied things for Irishtown. Ballindine were getting on top now though and an Andrew Peters goal in the 41^st minute and an equalising point from Richie Kilkenny, set up a grandstand finish. It was the Irishtown lads that got the winning point in the 45th minute of the game through Fearghal McGrath. Referee, Garryowen McMahon, blew the final whistle shortly afterwards and Michael Mooney presented the cup to his son Kieran, the joint captain of the Irishtown squad.

Irishtown squad: David Mitchell, Padraig Moran, John Huane (0-1), Michael Waldron (0-1), Johnno Clarke (0-1), Pat McGee, Matthew Nicholson, Tommy Mitchell, Alan Canny, Chris McTigue, Gerald Griffin (0-3), Michael Ronayne, Mark Ronayne, Dylan Keadin, Colm Roche (0-1), Cathal Moran, Derek Mooney, Kevin Cullina, Seamus Roche (0-2), William Freeley (0-1), Kevin Daly, Kieran Mooney (joint capt), Glendan Roche, Alan Roche, Tommy Nolan, Ger McWalter, Fearghal McGrath (0-3). Manager: Jimmy Roche.

Ballindine squad: Mark Diskin, Adrian McNamara, James Cummins, Andrew Peters (1-1), Anthony Gallagher, John Costello, John Heneghan, JP Kirrane, Keith Glynn (0-1), Lawrence Daly, Matthew Trench, Pat Coyne (0-1), Richie O Connor (1-0), Ryan McLoughlin, Richie Kilkenny (0-3), David McDonagh, James Joyce, Kevin Burke, Martin Sheridan, Paul Carey, Tom Murphy. Manager: Pat Kearns.

Well done to all that supported this year’s event. The proceeds will be used to support the former Davitts footballer, Martin Cosgrove, who now resides in County Armagh. Martin suffers from Primary Lateral Sclerosis, a rare neurological disease, and is now confined to a wheelchair.