Brilliant Kinsale power past Carrigaline to land first Carrigdhoun U21 A football title in 15 years

Kinsale: 2-18 (2-2-14)

Carrigaline: 1-12 (1-2-8)

Magnificent Kinsale are history-makers after comfortably defeating a strong Carrigaline side in the Huntsman Bar and Restaurant Carrigdhoun U21 A football final at Belgooly on Friday evening.

The team in blue and white have claimed divisional glory at this particular grade for the first time since 2010. They were full value for it too despite being down six points midway through the opening 30 minutes. Had Kinsale taken some of their goal chances, the margin of victory would have been greater.

Once they got going, they always looked like the likely winners. They had power and pace and also quality. Noah Ryan was awarded the Player of the Match and deservedly so after scoring 2-3. James Murphy was also influential as well as Gearóid Looney and Aaron Keane.

Kris O’Callaghan was fantastic in defence, but you could pretty much name every Kinsale player.

Carrigaline have now lost a second successive final. Ben Corkery-Delaney was their main man, but they weren’t helped by key player Ryan Delaney going off injured after eight minutes.

Carrigaline's Ben Corkery-Delaney has a shot on goal despite the attempt to block from Kinsale's Conor Fitzpatrick. Picture: Howard Crowdy

The eventual winners had a strong wind advantage in the opening 30 minutes. Rory O’Brien and David Looney had goal chances in the first two minutes but the pair were unable to find the back of the net albeit they were difficult chances.

Despite playing against the wind, Carrigaline settled quicker with a pair of Corkery-Delaney points, one which was a free.

Kearney did get Kinsale off the mark with a sweet point after eight minutes.

Carrigaline though were the better team early on, Jack Connolly pointed followed by a Corkery-Delaney two-point free and a white flag, 0-6 to 0-1 after 14 minutes.

The sides traded points before Kinsale took control. They put three unanswered points together with Ryan kicking two and a Looney effort.

They were level after 20 minutes when Murphy landed a two-pointer and then Kinsale led for the first time following a Cathal O’Leary point, 0-8 to 0-7.

Another Murphy two-pointer extended Kinsale’s advantage out to three points.

Ryan also had two goal opportunities. The forward hit the crossbar and also saw his effort saved by Carrigaline goalkeeper Danny McSorely, 0-10 to 0-7 at half-time.

Ciarán Kearney of Carrigaline is sandwiched between James Murphy and James Byrne of Kinsale. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Carrigaline were wind-assisted in the new half and did make a positive start with a Corkery-Delaney two-pointer from a free.

The sides traded white flags before a crucial moment after 35 minutes when that man Ryan goaled after he pounced on a mistake in the Carrigaline defence, 1-11 to 0-10.

The team in blue and white added three unanswered points before Carrigaline did give themselves a glimmer of hope when Bríain Murphy goaled from close range, 1-14 to 1-10 after 46 minutes.

Kinsale were far superior, they scored 1-3 without reply with the best player on the pitch Ryan finishing off a great move to the back of the net, 2-17 to 1-10 with six minutes remaining.

Carrigaline did kick two of the last three points but it was Kinsale’s evening.

Their 15 years of hurt is over. The celebrations afterwards said it all.

Kinsale now proceed to the county championship with the draws taking place on Tuesday evening.

Kinsale celebrate their win. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Scorers for Kinsale: N Ryan 2-3, J Murphy 0-7 (2 2pt, 0-1 f), G Kearney 0-3, C O’Leary, C Fitzpatrick, J Byrne, B Long, K Fitzpatrick 0-1 each.

Carrigaline: B Corkery-Delaney 0-7 (2 2pt f, 0-1 f), C Kearney 0-3, B Murphy 1-0, T Vaughan, J Connolly 0-1 each.

KINSALE: S Byrne; D O’Leary, Kris O’Callaghan, A Keane; C O’Leary, C Fitzpatrick, J Byrne; G Kearney, Kian O’Callaghan; S O’Callaghan (c), D Looney, N Ryan; R O’Brien, J Murphy, L Kirwan.

Subs: B Long for Kian O’Callaghan, K Fitzpatrick for R O’Brien (both h-t), P Graham for S O’Callaghan (43), C Kingston for J Byrne (49).

CARRIGALINE: D McSorely; B Murphy, P Laverty, E Murphy; K McNulty, K McCarthy, R Kenneally; D Sutton, T Foley; C Ryan (c), B Corkery-Delaney, C Kearney; S Horan, R Delaney, T Vaughan.

Subs: J Connolly for R Delaney (8, inj), D Fitzgerald for C Ryan (h-t), M Kiernan for P Laverty (40), D Kelly for S Horan (43), S Connolly for R Kenneally (54).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).

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