Strong finish secures U16 Premier 1 football league title for Mallow

Mallow 3-12 (3-1-10)

St Finbarr’s 2-8 (2-1-6)

Mallow were crowned U16 Premier 1 football league final winners at Carrig na bhFear on Monday night.

A superb finish, which saw them hit 1-4 without reply, turned the game in their favour in what had been a close game until then.

Michael O’Regan got their third goal that helped his side to a four-point lead, with four minutes left, and there was no way back for a valiant Barrs from there.

Both sides had some outstanding performances with Ryan Cagney, Ben Galvin, and Harry Punch the pick of the winners side. For the Barrs Liam O’Regan, Chris Scully and Alex O’Herlihy were to the fore.

On these displays, both sides will be in contention for championship honours later in the season.

Two early O’Herlihy points had the Barrs in front, before Mallow had a goal chance, which was blocked by the Barrs defence.

With nine minutes gone, they were in front when Cagney found the back of the net, and two minutes later, it took a brilliant save from Kyle Dee to deny them a second green flag.

Punch added a point for the winners before scores from O’Regan and O’Herlihy had the sides level, 0-4 to 1-1.

But two late points from Donagh Nagle and Conor O’Shea saw Mallow in front at half-time, 1-3 to 0-4.

Two more from Punch in the first five minutes after the restart stretched their lead before the Barrs were awarded a penalty for a foul on O’Herlihy.

He got up and coolly slotted home to put only a point between the sides, 1-5 to 1-4.

Cagney made it a two-point tie with O’Herlihy replying at the other end for the winners.

With 40 minutes gone, the Barrs took the lead when O’Herlihy got his and his side’s second goal, to make it 2-5 to 1-6.

But their lead didn’t last long as Mallow worked the ball up the pitch for O’Shea to score.

A two-point free from O’Regan restored the Barrs lead, 2-7 to 2-6 before Mallow replied with a two-pointer of their own, when Cagney scored from play.

Fionn Power pointed for the Barrs, to make it 2-8 apiece, but this proved to be their last score.

Gerard Kingston put Mallow back in front before O’Regan got the all-important goal to put daylight between the sides.

Late points from Nagle, Conor Daly, and Punch sealed their win after a highly entertaining contest.

Scorers for Mallow: R Cagney 1-3 (1 2pt), H Punch 0-4, C O’Shea 1-1 (1f), D Nagle 0-2, M O’Regan 1-0, C Daly, G Kingston 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: A O’Herlihy 2-4 (1-0 pen, 2f), L O’Regan 0-3 (1 2pt f), F Power 0-1.

MALLOW: P Ryan; C Jones, C Daly, M Lucey; R O’Sullivan, B Galvin, C Casey; C O’Shea, D O’Donahue; J Galvin, G Kingston, D Nagle; K Plaku, H Punch, R Cagney.

Sub: M O’Regan for J Galvin (40).

St FINBARR’S: K Dee; C Healy, C Garvey, A Martin; E Naughton, CJ Barrett, K Kennedy; A Crowley, L O’Regan; R Dunne, K McCabe, F Power; A O’Herlihy, C Scully, C Harrington.

Subs: S Fleming Byrne for A Crowley (12 inj), L O’Donovan for E Naughton (27 inj), C McCarthy for A Martin (50), L O’Gorman for K Kennedy, T Cromie for S Scully (both 60).

Referee: Niall Hayes, Blarney.