St. Barnabas lifted the first of this year’s championships when they accounted for defending champions Rangers in the U-10 final at Paddy’s Field on Saturday before a surprisingly large crowd, winning 5-11 to 2-6. Manager J. Dennehy had his team firing on all cylinders and in midfielders Brian McGovern (game MVP) and Padraig McDaid, they had the game of their young lives. Their pinpoint accuracy to their inside forwards, especially to Jack Hannon 1-6, Anthony Cienz 1-2, James Hannan 1-0, Oisin McKeever 1-0, Liam Deane 1-0, made sure the silverware was going to the Woodlawn boys. In defense, Pat and Kevin Hallinan, Mickey Butler, Conor Hogan, stopped many promising Rangers scoring attempts.
For Rangers, lionhearted Ronan McGoldrick (2-1), was outstanding, Brendan Cullinan (0-2), Brian Durkin, Anton Ramon (0-1), Garvan O’Shea, Brian Twomey, Denis Collins and Martin Lowery impressed.
St. Barnabas: Kevin Hallinan, Seamus Delaney, Pat Hallinan, Kevin Chambers, Conor Hogan, Mickey Butler, Shane Flanagan, Brian McGovern, Padraig McDaid, Brendan McMurrow, Anthony Cienz, James Hannon, Liam Deane, Jack Hannon, Oisin McKeever.
Rangers: Garvin O’Shea, Mike Brogan, D.J. Shannon, Brian Twomey, Denis Collins, Brendan Cullinan, Shane McIntyre, Ronan McGoldrick, Anton Ramon, Kevin Daly, Brian Durkin, Brian Flynn, Phil Kennedy, Martin Lowery, Keegan Talty. Referee Dave Ryan.
On Sunday morning at Gaelic Park, Rangers had a comfortable win over St. Barnabas, capturing the U-12 championship 4-6 to 0-. At halftime there was just a kick of the ball between them. With Rangers leading 1-2 to 0-2, Kevin O’Driscoll sent a pile driver to the net after a great sequence with Denis McGoldrick and Sean Twomey.
In the second half, Rangers changed tactics, manager Denis Twomey deciding to use full forward Erol Akiska as the target man.
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Midfielder and game MVP Mike Wiezorek had a brilliant half as did his midfield partner, Lorcan Malone, both sending a steady supply of good ball to Akiska, who scored 1-3 and set up many other scores. When St. Barnabas did threaten, Stephen Cassels, Peter Woods, (capt.) P.J. Wagner, Pierce Cassels closed them down in the back line. This was a tremendous team effort by Rangers with everyone working for each other, both in defense and attack.
For St. Barnabas, Tom McGovern, Bobby Chambers, Tom Brady, Tom Nelis, Danny Kocaj tried hard.
Rangers: Colin Murray, Danny Kenny, Peter Woods (capt.), P.J. Wagner, Ronan McGoldrick, Stephen Cassels, Pierce Cassels, Lorcan Malone 1-0, Mike Wiezorek 0-3, Denis McGoldrick 0-?, Sean Twomey 1-1, Kevin O’Driscoll 1-1, Mike Carrigy 1-0, Erol Akiska 1-3, Chris Cassels.
St. Barnabas: James Jandell, Gerard Dunleavy, Pat Hallinan, Shane Flanagan, Danny Kocaj, Bobby Chambers, Brian McGovern, Tom McGovern, Tom Nelis, Mickey Butler, Tom Brady, Jack Hannon, Timmy Murray, Anthony Ciena, Padraig McDaid. Referee, Danny McKenna.
In the U-16 championship final Rockland retained their title with a 3-8 to 1-5 victory over St. Barnabas.