Kildare U16 footballers win the county's first ever Fr Manning Cup with thrilling victory over Roscommon

Fr Manning Cup final

Kildare's U16 footballers claimed the county's first every Father Manning Cup title on Saturday afternoon when they edged to a thrilling four-point win over Roscommon in Longford.

The tournament, organised annually by Longford GAA, was contested this year by teams coming from 10 counties including Meath, Offaly, Wicklow, Leitrim, Louth, Carlow, Westmeath, Longford, Roscommon and Kildare. This final was a highly anticipated encounter as both teams had come through their respective group sections undefeated. Roscommon had also defeated Meath in the semi-final with Kildare accounting for Wicklow in theirs.

With good weather and field conditions for mid-November the game was played at a very fast pace with no quarter being asked or given by either side. Points were traded early on but Kildare made the break through to give themselves a cushion they would not relinquish with a well worked goal from captain Liam Broderick. Kildare were leaders by 1-04 to 04 but that lead was to be extended on the stroke of half time when Jack Smith superbly dispatched a penalty to now put two majors between them.

On the resumption Roscommon took the fight to Kildare as they fought hard for every ball and pushed up on Kildare possession. Their work was rewarded when from a number of frees and a goal the deficit was reduced to two points. However, Kildare defending stoutly, repulsed the Roscommon efforts and when Tom Brown bravely challenged a speculative ball into the parallelogram to score a goal, injuring himself in the process, the Kildare lads regained their momentum again. Roscommon continued to battle hard and scored another goal but Jack Smith put paid to any of their intentions with his second goal. With other second half points coming from Mikey McGovern, Alex Beirne and Paddy McDermott the full time whistle had Kildare victors by four points.

Team Manager Padraig Carbury was full of praise for his charges. “Everyone on that field today worked so hard. They gave it absolutely everything”. He also complimented the 35 panel members and fellow management and thanked them for their dedication and commitment all year. Liam Broderick received the cup on behalf of the team.

Scorers: Jack Smith 2-03(1 pen), Tom Brown 1-00, Liam Broderick 1-00, Alex Beirne 0-02, Nicky Jackman 0-01, Paddy McDermott 0-01, Mikey McGovern 0-01.

Team: John Ball (Clane), Jack Hammill (Raheens), Conor McGroary (Naas), Sean Hill (Kilcock), Dan Caulfield (Sallins), Kevin Kelleher (BME), Nicky Jackman (Athy), Drew Costello (Ardclough), Paddy Wall (Celbridge), Tom Browne(Naas), Liam Broderick capt (BME), Alex Beirne (Naas), Paddy McDermott (Naas), Aaron Kennedy (Kilcullen), Jack Smith (Carbury).