Mallon Foods U17 Division 2 Championship Final – 
St. Patrick’s 2-9 Clan na Gael 2-11
In Castleblayney last Wednesday night the 3rd of October Clan na Gael fought back from six points down in the middle of the second half to win this U17 Division 2 Championship Final with a last gasp goal, deep, deep into injury time, from defender Sean Callan against St Patrick’s.They were helped in a big way by county minor star Jason Irwin, who kicked 1-7 on a night when his high fielding was also a big asset in a team display of guts and determination against the odds.It was Irwin who opened the scoring with a free after two minutes, before St Patrick’s scored a brace to move a point in front by the 8th minute, including one from Dara McCann.St Patrick’s then moved two points clear thanks to two frees by Julius Sniaukska, before Jason Irwin reduced the gap to a point by the 18th minute. At this point, St Patrick’s had missed three goal chances, thanks to some heroic Gaels defending.Patrick McMahon now proceeded to kick two points without reply for Clan na Gael to move them from a point behind to one in front in first half stoppage time.Although Aodhan Brennan brought the teams level again then at 5 points apiece, Jason Irwin and Peter McGinn kicked a point each to leave Clan na Gael 7-5 ahead at the interval.
The second half began with Julius Sniauksta halving St Patricks’ deficit with a point in the opening two minutes, before Aodhan Brennan brought the sides level with a free.Following four more goal attempts either side of half time, St Patrick’s finally struck gold at the eighth attempt, with James McAdam slamming home from close range. Julius Sniauksta then hit a goal and a point within seven minutes to leave St. Patrick’s side seven points ahead midway through the second half, and seemingly on course for victory having broke their duck in front of goal.Step forward Jason Irwin. The county minor proceeded to take this game by the scruff of the neck and drag his team back from the brink.He began with a free on 46 minutes, followed by a long range speculative goal from the edge of the D with a low trajectory shot two minutes later. Two more points in the 54th and 55th minutes, and suddenly he had reduced his team’s deficit down to the minimum, 2-8 to 1-10. and when Aodhan Brennan struck a free in the second minute of injury time to move St Patrick’s two points ahead again, it seemed as if Clan na Gael’s luck had finally run out.However, Patrick McMahon reduced the margin to a point once more, five minutes into stoppage time, and there was still time for one last passage of play. Clan na Gael defender Sean Callan spun round and struck a fierce shot that evaded Patrick’s goalkeeper Jaden Lee and crashed into the roof of the net. There wasn’t time for anything else.
ST PATRICK’S: Jaden Lee, Aogan Smyth, Ciaran McKearney, Thomas Keenan, Ruairi Duffy, Daragh McElearney, Gerard Quinn, Mark Hughes, Paddy Quinn, Joseph Duffy, Aodhan Brennan 0-3 (2f), Shane Caraher, Dara McCann 0-1, Daragh Sherry, Julius Sniauksta 1-5 (3f). Subs: James McAdam 1-0 for Daragh Sherry, Cormac Duffy for Shane Caraher, Caolán Reilly for Ruairí Duffy, Daragh Sherry for Joseph Duffy, Lorcan Halpin for Gerard Quinn. They now play Magheracloone in the final round of the league this Sunday 14th of October with a 11am throw in, in Ballybay
