Match Report

County Minor League Div 2 – Final

Listowel Emmets 3-09 Cordal/Scart 1-11

Droves of Emmets supporters descended on Na Gaeil GAA grounds in Tralee on Sunday evening last to witness their Minor team achieve County honours in a hugely exciting game. Lorcan Moloney opened the scoring after two minutes with an excellent score which was quickly cancelled out by a Shay Walsh free. From here Listowel took over and hit 1-03 over the next four minutes, the scores coming from Darren Loughnane two Sean Keane frees and a well taken goal by the impressive Devan McKenna. Cordal/Scart were finding it hard to get their hands on the ball as Emmets were totally on top all over the field with Eddie Browne and Ciaran Pierse winning their individual battles and showing very well in the opening exchanges.

Sean Walsh got one back to bring the score to 1-04 to 0-02 but two more well executed frees from Kerry U17 Sean Keane stretched Listowels lead further. It was plain to see that Cordal/Scart were not going down without a fight though as they started to put some nice passes together and reeled off the next three scores to keep them in the game. With just two minutes left to the half-time whistle, Emmets Kerry Minor panellist Eddie Browne took off on a dazzling 40 yard run straight through the heart of the Cordal/Scart defence and unleashed an unstoppable shot to the back of Daniel Houlihans net to the delight of the Listowel faithful. A minute later Sean Keane struck a lovely score off his right to leave the score at the break Emmets 2-07 Cordal/Scart 0-05.

This was quiet literally a game of two halves as the majority of the second half belonged to Cordal/Scart who got themselves off to the perfect start through a Shay Walsh penalty. Midfielder Eddie Horan and two mores scores from Walsh put them right back into the game as they now had Emmets on the back-foot throughout the field. Listowel introduced Darragh Lynch who immediately helped to steady the ship at the back as Emmets found it difficult to work a score. Stephen McCarthy and Fergal Wall also entered the fray and these fresh legs proved vital in the final minutes of the game. Listowel finally got that all important score through a brilliant left-footed effort from Man of the Match Eddie Browne and this was followed one minute later by a great score by Stephen McCarthy to leave the score at 2-09 to 1-10 with just one minute left on the clock. Cordal/Scart Captain Sean Walsh put the minimum between the sides again as both teams dug deep to try and pick up the win. It was to be Listowel Emmets day however as three minutes into added time Darren Loughnane struck what proved to be the killer blow with a lethal finish into the bottom corner of the net before Lorcan Moloney added the insurance with the final score of the game. Referee Peter Lyons blew the full-time whistle to the delight of the Listowel supporters who were like a 16th man to the team and for the first time in ten years Emmets Minors are County Champions.

Listowel Captain Ciaran Pierse commended Cordal/Scart on a great battle and there is no doubt that this great team will be challenging for honours again next year. Man of the Match was Eddie Browne who was truly exceptional throughout. It was a mighty effort from all the lads from 1 to 25 who have done their club, families and town extremely proud. Sean Moriarty and his selectors Johnny O’Brien and Eddie Horgan left no stone unturned in their preparations for this Final and deserve a huge amount of credit for their hard work and dedication throughout the campaign. Let the celebrations commence!