Five-goal St Nick’s blitz sinks Donoughmore in U21 B Football Championship final

St Nick’s 5-8 (5-0-8) 

Donoughmore 0-12 (0-0-12) 

Two black cards, two penalties and a total of five green flags from St Nick’s ensured their Blackpool blitz was sufficient in bringing down Donoughmore and securing the U21 B Football Championship title at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh’s 4G on Sunday.

An early Donoughmore point briefly nudged the Muskerry side in front, but it proved fleeting. Nick’s responded with a burst of 1-3 and from there established a grip they would never loosen.

Gavin O’Sullivan opened the scoring for Donoughmore, but within a minute – at the third time of asking – Kieran Kelleher struck the game’s first goal, steering to the net after a clever Michael Tadhg Brosnan handpass.

Conor McCarthy clipped over two more and Michael Tadhg Brosnan registered another assist as he set up Eoin O’Leary for a point inside nine minutes, 1-3 to 0-1.

Scott Barrett replied with one of his three points, but Nick’s were soon in again. Kelleher created the chance, O’Leary struck the post, and the same man was quickest to the rebound, finishing soccer-style to make it 2-3 to 0-2.

When a David McDonnell free left Donoughmore seven behind with 13 minutes played, the Nick’s response was yet another goal – this one after referee Conor McCarthy consulted with the umpires before awarding a penalty – which McCarthy slotted into the bottom corner.

By the 21st minute the northsiders were 11 ahead, though Donoughmore steadied themselves with three points on the bounce to stay within touching distance.

Jack O’Sullivan’s free proved Nick’s only placed point of the game, but the three-goal cushion remained at the break, 3-6 to 0-6.

If Donoughmore were to salvage anything, they needed a fast restart. Instead, the second half opened scoreless for almost eight minutes before another pivotal moment arrived.

Kelleher burst through on goal and was hauled down by goalkeeper Stephen McSweeney, earning a black card and conceding a second penalty.

With sub Daniel Honohan brought on to deputise between the posts during the sin-bin, McCarthy again showed composure from the spot, stretching the margin to 4-6 to 0-6.

A point straight from the kick-out followed, and with 21 minutes remaining Nick’s were 13 clear, and on their way to county glory.

Donoughmore battled on and briefly hovered within 12 points, tempers fraying as yellow cards accumulated and Nick’s Rory McLaughlin saw black. But the champions-elect had one final punch to land. Kelleher worked the ball through McCarthy to Rhys Dunne, and the Glen senior hurler powered a fifth goal past McSweeney to put the result beyond doubt in the 53rd minute.

Donoughmore tagged on the closing scores, but the contest had long since escaped them.

For St Nick’s, who were beaten heavily in this decider by Kilmurry last year, this was a fitting response. They delivered redemption in the most emphatic of ways.

Scorers for St Nick’s: C McCarthy 2-4 (2-0 pen), K Kelleher, E O’Leary 1-1 each, R Dunne 1-0, J O’Sullivan (f), MT Brosnan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Donoughmore: G O’Sullivan 0-5 (0-3 f, 0-1 45), D McDonnell (0-2 f), S Barrett 0-3 each, J McCarthy 0-1.

ST NICK’S: R Cronin; F O’Driscoll, B Heffernan, M Gayfor; D Wall, E Varian, Z Lynch; Jake Brosnan, Josh Brosnan; C McCarthy, E O’Leary, R Dunne; MT Brosnan, J O’Sullivan, K Kelleher.

Subs: J Murphy for Kelleher, E O’Sullivan for O’Leary (both 53), O O’Connell for O’Driscoll, E Murphy for MT Brosnan (both 57), C Connolly for J O’Sullivan (59).

DONOUGHMORE: S McSweeney; R McLaughlin, T Murphy, F Honohan; R Honohan, C Buckley, J Murphy; K O’Connell, L O’Sullivan; D Lawton, G O’Sullivan, D O’Connell; S Barrett, D McDonnell, D Holland.

Subs: J McCarthy for L O’Sullivan (16), B O’Sullivan for Buckley (26), P Murphy for Lawton (HT), D Honohan for O’Connell (37), DJ Foley for J Murphy (53).

Referee: C McCarthy (Carbery Rangers)