U-21 Football Championship

Ballymaguigan 0-10 Swatragh 1-09

A Martin Dillon goal 3 minutes into injury time gave Swatragh U-21’s victory from the jaws of defeat in this quarter final clash. It was a contest that the young Davitts probably deserved to win, but it was a cruel way for a strong Ballymaguigan side to lose.

The first half was a very even affair. Swatragh dominated possession for long periods, but Ballymaguigan created space more effectively for their inside forwards. The Swatragh half-back line often found themselves beyond half way and when Ballymaguigan broke out quickly from the back, Swatragh found themselves short of cover at the back. With runners coming from deep to support the attack the Treas took some fine scores.

Swatragh in contrast laboured for their scores. With little space in a congested attack the Davitt forwards were often forced into shooting from difficult angles, with little chance of success. Indeed in was sheer bulk of possession that allowed Swatragh to get the scores to keep them in touch.

Michael Kirkpatrick & Eugene O’Kane were both on target from frees in the opening period, allayed to a tremendous long range effort from Sean McMaster as Swatragh went in trailing by a point 0-06 to 0-05.

The Davitts started the second half in much improved form. Michael Friel took over in the middle of the park, and with Ryan Dillon composed at centre back and ‘Kirk continuing to forage in attack the deficit was soon erased.

The Ballymaguigan defence was coming under incessant pressure, and with the Swatragh defence closing ranks the relieving pass was becoming difficult to find. This pressure inevitable led to the concession of frees in scoreable positions and Michael Kirkpatrick duly converted.

As the game entered the final ten minutes Swatragh led by 0-08 to 0-06, the Ballymaguigan attack failing to register up to that point in the second half. With the Davitts in total control victory seemed inevitable, but maybe this feeling led to the tremendous Ballymaguigan fightback.

In the next five minutes they registered three quick fire points to wrestle back the lead from a stunned Davitts side. Big hits were put in as both sides gave their all for victory.

Swatragh pushed forward and claimed an equalising point but the Treas went straight back down the pitch to restore their advantage. As the clock ticked past sixty minutes Ballymaguigan were still holding on with Swatragh bombarding their goal with little success.

As Swatragh launched their last attack the ball was fed to Liam Kearney fifty yards from goal. He skinned his man and launched a long ball towards the square. The ball was broken back from the end line and half back Martin Dillon pounced on the loosed ball to fire to the bottom corner.

It was drama of the highest order and heartbreak for Ballymaguigan. There wasn’t even time to try for a goal of their own as the referee blew for full time on the restart. It was tough luck on Ballymaguigan who played their full part in an entertaining encounter.

Few would have argued that a draw would have been fair to two fiercely committed sides. There were some thundering tackles throughout the match but they were given and taken in the right spirit.

Final Score: Ballymaguigan 0-10 Swatragh 1-09

Team & Scorers:
Michael O’Kane, Cathal McQuillan, Declan Kearney, Eugene McGuckin, Paul O’Kane, Ryan Dillon, Martin Dillon 1-00, Michael Friel, Sean McMaster 0-01, Robert McWilliams, Sean McNicholl 0-01, Michael Kirkpatrick 0-05, Eugene O’Kane 0-02, Michael McKenna, Liam Kearney.