St Marys 1-12 Syddan 0-12 

St Mary’s seen off the stern challenge of visitors Syddan to claim their first trophy at adult level since 2010 at a well presented Donore. 

Marys arrived into the final off the back of a convincing victory over Bective on Sunday last, leading to a sense of optimism in the camp ahead of the game. 

The early minutes of the game seen the home side take a little time to find their rhythm, Syddan taking advantage of the first half wind in their favour and gaining an upper hand with a couple of early points. 

Marys got on the scoreboard when Fionn Brereton blazed over following an excellent surging run through the middle by Eoin Jackson. This gave the home side extra impetus and they started to win more primary possession around midfield, with Cathal Sheridan and Jackson getting through a mountain of work to secure possession for Marys. As the half developed, Marys were growing in confidence, with Cian O’Brien and Adam Craven kicking impressive scores to keep the home side in touch. Jackson was faultless on frees, while the full back line of Locky Hill, the very impressive Neil Floyd and Tadhg Lynch were kept busy with a dangerous Syddan attacking unit carrying a substantial threat. 

At half time, the scoreline read 0-7 0-6 to the away side, with Marys knowing they would have to improve further in the second half if they were to get over the line. 

In the opening moments of the second half, Syddan found themselves clean through on goal, but they found an inspired Peter Waters in the Marys goal who made an excellent point blank save to keep them right in the game. 

Both sides started to use their bench as the intense encounter began to drain both sides resources. Syddan were beginning to fashion more chances with sub Patrick Farrelly especially prominent from full forward as the link man. The Marys defence again held firm though, and more points from James Lynch and Jackson ensured heading into the final quarter it remained neck and neck. The defining point of the game then arrived. Brereton managed to make an excellent turnover and found James Lynch, who in turn found substitute Robbie Callaghan. He then found the onrushing Sheridan with a well threaded pass, and he lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper to find the corner of the net to the delight of the sizeable home crowd watching on. 

Syddan to their credit never bowed their heads, and responded with scores of their own to make it 1-8 to 0-11 heading into the final stretch of the game. At this point it was anyone’s game, but when needed Marys rose to the occasion. 

A well taken score by James Lynch regained the lead before a free brought forward for dissent was dispatched by Jackson. Callaghan rolled back the years with a fine score on the loop, which brought the lead back to 3. The result could have been secured earlier, but some wild shot selections from the home side gave the visitors that chance of sneaking the win. A close range free brought Syddan back to 2, and they were pushing hard for a late winner. Marys countered and won a free on the edge of the arc, which was sent narrowly wide. From the resulting kickout, Jackson again won the ball and descended on goal before playing the ball to substitute Nicky Gogan. The return pass was perhaps on but Gogan elected to send the ball sailing between the posts from the angle, which drew an enormous roar from the massive Marys support that had congregated in Donore. This was the last meaningful action of the game, as referee Sean Clarke blew the full time whistle on the next play. 

Scenes of delight greeted the final whistle, and in the immediate aftermath St Mary’s Captain Eoin Kelleher was presented with the trophy from club chairman Pat Lenehan. 

St Mary’s will hope to continue the good momentum at home to Kilmainhamwood in Saturdays Tailteann Shield Semi Final, with the prize of another final spot hopefully up for grabs. 

Special mention to referee Sean Clarke who had a fine game, as well as our opponents Syddan, who heavily contributed to a hard hitting and enjoyable game of football. 

St Marys: Peter Waters; Tadhg Lynch, Neil Floyd, Locky Hill; Ruairi Condra, Gary Slevin, Adam Craven; Cathal Sheridan, Eoin Jackson; Ronan Everard, Cian O’Brien, Fionn Brereton; Peter Gogan, James Lynch, Eoin Kelleher (C)

Subs: Darragh Maher for Slevin, Robbie Gallagher for R Everard, Tom Loughran for P Gogan, Robbie Callaghan for Kelleher, Nicky Gogan for Hill, Eoin Everard for O’Brien, Brian Smith for Floyd, Brian Everard for Brereton, Eirin Madden

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