Brilliant Ballyroan Abbey claim back-to-back U-20 ‘A’ football titles

Courtwood-Emo and Ballyroan Abbey clashed in this year’s Laois U-20 ‘A’ football final Friday evening in the LOETB Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise. The two teams had previously met in the opening round of the group stages where Ballyroan Abbey came out victorious.

The result was the same this time around here as well, with this second meets ngnot even as competitive as the first time. Ballyroan Abbey claimed back-to-back U-20 ‘A’ football honours, with first half goals from Lawson Obular and Shaun Fitzpatrick setting them on their way to a comfortable victory.

Ballyroan Abbey 3-13

Courtwood-Emo 1-8

Courtwood-Emo struck first in the LOETB Centre of Excellence. Seán Kitchen curled over a free to get them on the scoresheet. Ballyroan Abbey quickly cancelled that out with a point from Brian Whelan, as he drilled over from close range.

Then the first of Ballyroan Abbey’s goals arrived. Shaun Fitzpatrick claimed the Courtwood-Emo kickout and strode forward at pace. Fitzpatrick found Ballyroan Abbey full-forward, Lawson Obular, with a hand pass and Obular rose highest to palm to the net.

Liam Kitchen responded for Courtwood-Emo with his second free. Brian Whelan restored Ballyroan Abbey’s three-point lead though, as his shot was tipped over the bar by Courtwood-Emo keeper Sam Krebs.

Ballyroan Abbey were dominating the Courtwood-Emo kickouts and that meant Courtwood-Emo were starved of possession. They did manage to get the next score though, as Davy Costello curled over a point from a mark.

Ballyroan Abbey’s dominance began to tell as the half wore on though. Brian Whelan landed his third point, this time from a free, before James McWey cracked over a sweet outside of the boot effort.

While Davy Costello replied for Courtwood-Emo through a placed ball, Ballyroan Abbey finished the half on top. James McWey placed over a point from a free before Ballyroan Abbey struck for their second goal.

Shaun Fitzpatrick assisted the first goal and scored the second. Ballyroan Abbey’s Odhran Delaney, who had just entered onto the field as a substitute, won the Courtwood-Emo kickout. The ball was eventually transferred into Fitzpatrick who fired into the top right corner of the net.

Ballyroan Abbey led 2-5 to 0-4 lead at the break. Courtwood-Emo though, to their credit, showed signs of life at the start of the second half. 

Centre-back Paul O’Flynn floated over a beautiful score before O’Flynn scored Courtwood-Emo’s sole goal moments later. O’Flynn’s effort from distance looped over Adam Jones in the Ballyroan Abbey goals.

However, that was as close as Courtwood-Emo would get for the remainder of the night. Brian Whelan hit back for Ballyroan Abbey with the next two points, one from play and one from a free.

Davy Costello curled over a free for Courtwood-Emo in response, but Ballyroan Abbey dominated the next ten minutes to put this contest to bed.

Ballyroan Abbey were running at pace through the Courtwood-Emo defence, as strong running from Shaun Fitzpatrick and Sam Quinn set up another Whelan score. Midfielder Davin McEvoy added another before Ballyroan Abbey struck for goal number three.

Odhran Delaney was dispossessed running through the wing. However, Courtwood-Emo’s luck was just not there on the night, as the loose ball fell to Padraig Rafter and he volleyed home.

Shaun Fitzpatrick was exceptional throughout and he fisted over two points either side of a sublime individual score from Ballyroan Abbey wing-back Sam Quinn. Whelan then added another fisted effort before Courtwood-Emo put some respectability on the scoreboard near the end.

Davy Costello and substitute Aron Whelan added consolation points for Courtwood-Emo. They were completely outmatched by a brilliant Ballyroan Abbey outfit, who deservedly claimed another underage trophy.

Ballyroan Abbey will be hopeful that this core of excellent youth players can be their backbone as they attempt to land a Senior championship in the near future. 

With an exciting management team in place for next year that includes former All-Ireland winning Meath Ladies manager, Shane Wall, at the helm, Ballyroan Abbey will most certainly be one of the contenders for Portarlington’s throne.