Two goals inside two minutes get Maynooth over line in minor final
Maynooth 2-6
Sarsfields 0-8
Maynooth were crowned Minor 'A' footall champions for the first time since 1960 following a four point win over Sarsfields in Manguard Park on Sunday afternoon.
In a low scoring, somewhat disappointing game, two goals inside two minutes saw Maynooth record their fully merited win following a season that saw the Maynooth club come up agonisingly short on a few occasions in both football and hurling, so no doubt this win will be savoured all the more.
Not for the first time in this weekend of minor finals, this 'A' decider was also a slow starter with fans having to wait until the eight minute before the opening score of the game arrived, Maynooth's David Eustace fining over with a lovely effort off his left peg.
Directly from that kick-out Daniel Ennis gained possession, passed to Paul O'Dea who made no mistake to make it 0-2 to 0-0 after nine minutes.
A minute later and The Sash opened their account with a 45m free converted with ease by keeper Cathal Moore.
However, Maynooth, who were enjoying a fair bit of possession, stretched that lead with a lovely effort from Cillian Geraghty, who dummied, made a bit of space for himself before splitting the posts and three minutes later that lead was pushed out to three with Paul O'Dea getting his second of the half, despite being in traffic still managed to get his kick away and over and when Cathal Flynn found the range on 18 Maynooth now led 0-5 to 0-1.
Maynooth were threatened big time, a fine move at the Sarsfields defence was smothered out with some good defending as the Newbridge boys beame to come more into it.
James Redmond fired over a free after a foul on Conor O'Donovan and added another free when Harry Redmond punished some sloppy defending.
As half-time approached more poor defending by Maynooth was not capitalised on but before the break Harry Redmond hit a fine effort to tie it up at 0-5 apiece at the break.
If the first half was a slow burner it had nothing on the second. Incredibly we had to wait until the 46 minute before another score came along and in that period Maynooth his three wides; had Conor O'Grady black carded; a free from Matthew Diamond come off the upright and cleared before a long ball in by Matthew Diamond saw Daniel Ennis get a touch in front of a defender and 'keeper to punch to the net and make it 1-8 to 0-8.
Donal O'Brien hit a fine point for Sarsfields but Maynooth were back for more when Cillian Geraghty made an incesive run through the middle, passed to Paddy Ryan who made no mistake from close range and the boys from the north of the county now led.
Ben Loakman gained possession for Sarsfields on the left side of goal, moved across the square and looked certain to find the Maynooth net but Jack Egan made a brilliant save to deny Loakman with the resultant 45 going left and wide.
Jack Egan was injured in that save and while he played on he eventually had to be substituted replaced by Joshua Flood.
Sarsfields give themselves some hope with points from Harry Redmond (free) and a similar score from Ben Loakman to reduce the gap to three points on 61 minutes.
However that was as close as they got with Maynooth hitting over the final point of the game, a free from Matthew Diamond as the long whistle arrived with Maynooth winning on a final score line of Maynooth 2-6 Sarsfields 0-8.
It was a real team performance from the winners, with some good displays from Alex Tilly; keeper Jack Egan with that vital save while others to catch the eye included Cillian Geraghty, Conor O'Grady, Paul O'Dea and goal scorers Daniel Ennis and Paddy Ryan, however midfielder Matthew Diamond was awarded the man of the match award.
Disappointment for Sarsfields, they started slow, came into it during the second quarter but the concession of those two goals was just too much.
Scorers: Maynooth, Daniel Ennis 1-0, Paddy Ryan 1-0, Paul O'Dea 0-2, David Eustace 0-1, Cillian Geraghty 0-1, Cathal Flynn 0-1, ,Matthew Diamond 0-1 (free).
Sarsfields, Harry Redmond 0-4 (3 frees), James Redmond 0-1, Cathal Moore 0-1 (free), Donal O'Brien 0-1, Ben Loakman 0-1 (free).
MAYNOOTH: Joshua Flood; Paul Bean, Kallum Gilligan, Ronan Martin; Andrew McGrath, Ryan O'Shea, Rian Martin; Harry Egan, James O'Sullivan; Joey McNulty, Ciaran Dunne, Daniel Hever; Niall Coogan, Finn Geraghty, Aaron Mahoney. Subs: Sean O'Donnell for Cillian Noone (38 minutes); Joshua Flood for Jack Egan (56 minutes); Oisín Ó Giolláin for Darren Ó Loinsigh (56 minutes).
SARSFIELDS: Cathal Moore; Robert Flynn, James Loughman, Senan Mackey; Cian Edmonds, Daragh Conlan, Thomas Flynn; Donal O'Brien, Cathal White; Ross Kenny, Ben Loakman, Conor O'Donovan; James Redmond, Jamie Coffey, Harry Redmond. Subs: Ryan Kearney for Jamie Coffey (20 minutes); Liam Gorman for James Redmond (47 minutes).
REFEREE: Jack O'Connell.