Mallow edge past Kilshannig to retain Avondhu U21 A FC title

Mallow: 1-10 (1-1-8)

Kilshannig: 1-9 (1-1-7)

Mallow have been crowned Barnes Jewellers Avondhu U21 A football championship winners after defeating Kilshannig by a single point in the decider at Glantane on Thursday evening.

The team in red and yellow won the championship last year as they retain the trophy. They made hard work of it though at times. They led by six points after 21 minutes and led by three points approaching the end, but Kilshannig showed great character to just hang in there and were unlucky not to force extra time.

Mallow though were the better balanced team with big displays in particular from the likes of Decky Copps, Gearóid Daly and captain Sam Copps in defence. Trevor Kiely was majestic in midfield while up front, Ben O’Shea was effective with his overall play.

The Mallow team celebrating their victory over Kilshannig in the Avondhu U21 A Football Championship final at Glantane. Picture: David Keane

Mallow set their stall out early. The wind did cause problems for both teams.

Mallow were in control for large parts of the first half, they scored 1-2 without reply in the first eight minutes.

Kiely and Kevin O’Connell with the efforts while O’Shea goaled after a pass from O'Connell.

Mallow’s Sam Copps could have got a second goal after seven minutes but his effort was deflected away from danger in a crowded penalty box.

Ben Creedon did get Kilshannig up and running with a point after eight minutes. They were playing second fiddle, Mallow kicking two of the next three points to lead 1-4 to 0-2 after 24 minutes.

A tame enough affair came to life in the closing stages of the first half, Alan O’Connell and a Seán O’Connell 45 reduced the deficit down to a goal.

The 45 was as a result of a great Josh Harkin save in the Mallow goal to deny Senan Harvey a certain green flag.

Ronan O’Sullivan did point for Mallow, their first score in seven minutes, but a Seán O’Connell two-point free left two points in it.

Mallow finished the half strongly, Cathal Mullins bisected the posts while Daly’s shot hit the post, 1-6 to 0-6 at half-time.

The teams did trade points on the resumption while Anthony Jenks saw his effort saved by Mallow netminder Harkin.

Mallow's Ben O'Shea crashes the ball to the Kilshannig net despite the efforts of Michael Murphy and Senan Harvey during their Avondhu U21 A Football Championship final at Glantane. Picture: David Keane

Kilshannig did get their green flag after 37 minutes after Seán O’Rourke was fouled. Alan O’Connell finished to the net with a tidy finish, 1-7 apiece.

Kilshannig couldn’t get ahead though. Mallow responded with a Paddy Murphy two-pointer from a free and an O’Shea effort, 1-10 to 1-7 after 43 minutes.

In a low scoring second half, Creedon did keep Kilshannig in touch with a white flag. That came with nine minutes remaining before the same player converted a free after 59 minutes to leave the bare minimum between the teams.

Despite forcing late pressure, Kilshannig ran out of time as Mallow retained the trophy.

Scorers for Mallow: B O’Shea 1-1, C Mullins (0-1 f), P Murphy (1 2pt f) 0-2 each, G Daly, L Walsh, K O’Connell, T Kiely, R O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Kilshannig: B Creedon 0-5 (0-3 f), A O’Connell 1-1 (1-0 pen), Seán O’Connell 0-3 (1 2pt f, 0-1 45).

MALLOW: J Harkin; E Walsh, D Copps, A Murphy; S Copps (c), G Daly, P Britton; T Kiely, P Murphy; L Walsh, B O’Shea, A Roche; K O’Connell, C Mullins, R O’Sullivan.

Subs: B Noonan for A Roche (38), J Roche for L Walsh (44), R McAuliffe for K O’Connell (48).

KILSHANNIG: D J O’Riordan; B O'Connor, T Kavanagh, C McSweeney; C Geary, S O’Riordan, S Harvey; S O'Rourke, Shane O’Connell (c); M Murphy, Seán O’Connell, A O'Connell; A Jenks, D O’Doherty, B Creedon.

Subs: J Kavanagh for S O’Rourke (42), C Ruby for D O’Doherty, J O’Hanlon for A Jenks (both 48), C Ring for S Harvey (54).

Referee: Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth).

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