| Thomas McCurtain's 0-7 John Mitchell´s 2-10 |
Report:
It’s curtains as Mitchels seal British Championship
John Mitchels 2-10 Thomas McCurtain 0-7
JOHN MITCHELS are champions of Britain after defeating Thomas McCurtains at Pairc na hÉireann on Sunday, with the Liverpool side’s firsthalf display owing much to the outcome in this year’s final.
Goals in either half from star man Paul Melanophy and substitute Shane McCann galvanised a sterling effort from the men in blue-and-gold whose midfield strength and clinical finishing put them on the path to glory.
The final began with a spurt of McCurtains’ dominance which was rewarded by a smart point from full-forward Mark Hutchinson. Mitchels struck back within a minute through Lorcan McGonagle’s looped effort from 20 yards before Melanophy struck his first point of the afternoon after capitalising on a breaking ball in front of goal.
Mitchels were exerting pressure from wide areas and it was Sean Rice who was to extend the lead to two points after some decent build-up play along the Mitchels’ right.
A trading of frees by opposing cornerforwards Melanophy and Donohue kept the gap at two points as the first-half reached the midway point. However some quick thinking from a set piece allowed John McDermott to stretch the lead to three with a clinical finish from 30 yards. With pace to burn in the full-forward line Mitchels sought to stretch the McCurtains’ full-back line and Pauric Brennan almost exploited this asset with a run through on goal.
However his low drive was superbly saved by Martin Keyes who showed great agility to reach Brennan’s low shot. McCurtains were drawing frees from some slick hand passing, from which Donohue capitalised with his second point of the afternoon from the dead ball. Yet the pace of Mitchels was proving a real thorn in the side of the McCurtains rearguard and this eventually told as Melanophy fired home the first goal of the game. A dynamic run by the corner-forward was accompanied by an excellent strike into Keyes’ left-hand corner. It was a vital moment that gave Mitchels a strong advantage as the sides switched ends.
Five points astray, McCurtains needed to strike fast and the omens looked good as the opening minute brought their fourth point from Dermot Gallagher’s well struck point. Yet Mitchels were causing more problems attacking from wide positions with McGonagle prising an alert save from Keyes at his near post. Another attack moments later along the right wing brought Brennan’s first of two virtually identical scores as the half-forward superbly curled a 30-yard effort from an acute angle. Another Donohue free kept McCurtains on course but their attacking play became sparse as the half gathered momentum.
Mitchels were proving themselves adept at stifling the intrinsic passing game of McCurtains leaving the London side with fewer chances in front of goal. A well taken Kevin Kane point was soon followed by another Melanophy free to stretch the Liverpool lead to six points and it seemed as though Mitchels were heading for the finishing line after Brennan’s second strike from the right wing sailed over the bar.
With time ticking onwards McCurtains rallied once more and almost dragged themselves back into the final after goalkeeper William Carter spilled a low effort in front of goal but full-back James Goggins was alert to the danger. Within moments Mitchels all but sealed victory as a low drive from Eamon Hughes was diverted past Keyes by an alert Shane McCann fist. McCurtains kept gamely to their task and almost grabbed a goal in the final moments of the game but Gallagher’s set-piece shot found the wrong side of the crossbar. It would prove the final act in an entertaining final and the final whistle brought jubilation for the mass ranks that had travelled down the M6 to witness a gifted John Mitchels side lift the championship trophy for this year.
John Mitchels:William Carter, Anthony Brady, Colin Philips, Daragh Aspel, Phillip Duddy, Sean Rice (0-1) ,Conal Cunningham, Eamon Hughes, John McDermott (0-1), Pauric Brennan (0-2), Kevin Kane (0-1), Ryan Mullan, Paul Melanophy (1-3), Peter McClenaghan, Lorcan McGonagle (0-2), Shane McCann (1-0)
Thomas McCurtains: Martin Keyes, Alan Mee, James Goggins, Eoin McHugh, Karl Lynch, Dan McDonald, Karl Rushe, Stephen Keegan, Jimmy Shanahan, Bernard Tynnon, Nigel Loughran, Colin Grant, Stephen Donohue (0-3), Mark Hutchinson (0-1),Dermot Gallagher (0-3), Danny O’Brien, John O’Donnelly
Report courtesy of the Irish Post |
