Ballyroan- Abbey claim third consecutive U-20 title after battle with St Joseph's

The three in-a-row seeking Ballyroan Abbey took on the Senior county champions, St Joseph’s, in the U-20 ‘A’ football final in Laois Hire O’Moore Park. The reigning holders at this grade went in as slight favourites but an exciting affair was predicted with the talent on display.

It was a tight and competitive battle throughout but Ballyroan Abbey did just enough to claim a historic three in-a-row at this grade. The club will now be hoping they can turn this underage success into a Senior title soon.

Ballyroan Abbey 0-13

St Joseph's 0-10

St Joseph’s struck first on a wet November’s day in Portlaoise. Sean Brennan stepped up from midfield to get ‘The Saints’ on the scoreboard in Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

Davin McEvoy was inspiring in Ballyroan Abbey’s comeback victory in the semi-final against Portlaoise. He scored a brace of goals in the second-half to help see them past Portlaoise and the Ballyroan Abbey midfielder began this game where he left off.

His first point came from a free and then McEvoy knocked over a fine score from play under pressure off his left boot. Padraig Rafter rattled over another and Ballyroan Abbey had opened up an early two-point lead.  

St Joseph’s responded in a positive fashion though. Cormac Murphy kicked a cracking score and then the St Joseph’s full-forward, Jamie O’Brien, came to life for his side.

O’Brien blasted over a free to level matters. Then he showed his skill from play, as O’Brien received a pass inside from Darragh Farrell and turned his marker before O’Brien pushed St Joseph’s ahead.

Alan McWey replied for Ballyroan Abbey with an impressive score of his own but O’Brien nudged St Joseph’s back in front by the minimum. Davin McEvoy again levelled for Ballyroan Abbey but St Joseph’s swiftly went down the other end and Jeremy Kelly kicked over a brillian point.

Ballyroan Abbey had several hugely talented players on the field and Shaun Fitzpatrick was certainly one of them. After being closely marked for most of the first half, Fitzpatrick finally found some space in the last ten minutes to showcase his ability.

Fitzpatrick played a one-two with Killian Byrne before splitting the posts from distance. Then, a minute later, Fitpatrick used his opposite foot to fire over with his left and give Ballyroan Abbey the initiative.

McEvoy pushed Ballyroan Abbey two to the good but St Joseph’s would grab the last score of the half. St Joseph’s claimed the Ballyroan Abbey kick-out and Michael Fleming took advantage by firing between the sticks.

Ballyroan Abbey held a 0-8 to 0-7 lead in a very competitive and enjoyable first half. They looked the better team but the challengers, St Joseph’s, were matching their physicality and intensity.

The second-half, unlike the first half, was more of a slow and tactical affair. Neither side were attacking with the same pace and ambition as fatigue began to settle in a little bit.

St Joseph’s did strike first to level the contest once more. Cormac Murphy knocked over his second point, another fine effort, to leave the teams deadlocked.

Ballyroan Abbey’s shooting radar was off at the start of second-half and that left their supporters and management visibly frustrated. They were dominating possession but the champions  were not making it count.

Eventually, Ballyroan Abbey did settle down in front of the posts though to regain control of this county final. Padraig Rafter really stepped up to the plate when they needed him to, as the Rathdowney-Errill hurler curled over a beauty that came in off the left post.

Ballyroan Abbey went two to the good when they turned St Joseph’s over in their own half and Davin McEvoy swung over on the half-turn. The gap was three then five minutes later when Padraig Rafter floated over his second point.

St Joseph’s simply refused to lie down though and came back at the champions again. Darragh Farrell claimed a mark and showed composure to float it over off his right foot.

Oisin Hooney then set up Eoin Johnson to inside and fire over from close-range for St Joseph’s If Johnson had settled himself, the goal chance was very much on.

That left the minimum between the teams again but Ballyroan Abbey edged two ahead once more. Alan McWey curled a free to settle the champions down again.

St Joseph’s had another sight a goal but Sam Lynch’s shot was straight at Ballyroan Abbey goalkeeper Adam Jones. Alan McWey’s and Davin McEvoy placed over frees for Ballyroan Abbey and that proved enough for them secure the silverware again.